I've read with interest your story about Kathy and yourself. I must say that I think it is refreshing to find someone so devoted to another person. While I know it is hard for you to go through your life without her, she really is always with you. Till you meet again.

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, one day we will reunite, not in this world but in another.
She was and always will be my Angel.

Folks,

Yes it is really nice to share such amazing memories with each of you. Jose, do you sing? I used to hang out and do a little doo-***, and was wondering if you would be interesed in trying out a few songs, or perhaps you know of a few guys who still like to tackle some of the older acapella songs?
I still find myself singing around my house, and have no idea where the words come from, because if I had to, I could never tell you a single line!

Bless you all, for such wonderful memories, and such tender moments. We all have so much to be thankful for.

Steve Heller
stephenbheller@aol.com

Steve, I can't sing a note, but being around a singer and the groups that she hung around with I still have quite a interest, I'm constantly going to concerts as alot of the groups at one time or another were on stage with my Angel and I enjoy the music, growing up in the 60's with my Angel by my side was a very special time for me and I cherish my memories, I also enjoy reading your posts, although a few years older than you I can relate to just about everything you to remember. Keep the stories coming.

Today is my birthday, another year gone, thinking back to my early years, where little Jose would sit playing on the kitchen floor as his madre would be cooking for his nine brothers and sisters, having only my beloved madre, I loved her dearly as she raised all of us without a husband/father, he was killed in a auto accident when I was two, being the youngest I couldn't wait to go to school and be like my older brothers/sisters, I was lucky to graduate and went to the University of Puerto Rico, joining Uncle Sam's Army, coming to NYC to stay with my sister Nicki who lived on Rogers Place off of Webster Ave., I remember that night I first saw the love of my life, God she was beautiful, with a voice like no other, she totally captured my heart, this Irish/German girl who I have to admit, her parents were not too happy for our involvement, slowly warmed to the idea that I wasn't going anywhere, they welcomed me into their home, we had dinners together, went on vacations together, they were now part of my family as most of my own family scattered around NYC/PR. I worked long and hard to give my Angel everything I could, I was so in love with her, although young, six years my junior she was very smart and mature for her tender age. I was always there with her, going to school dances/recording studios/concerts, I made sure she was safe, as were the rest of the group. Things were good, we planned on being married when she turned 18, all the planning the anticipation, with one phone call, my world/our world came tumbling down, no amount of reasoning or excuses could calm the situation, my Angel left, walked away never to return, my world was turned upside down, I left NY persuded by a someone from a prominent family(L) in NJ, that it was in my best interest to leave and never look back. Through the years I followed her career, her family growing and keeping a safe distance, I watched as her fame grew, as she was left a widow, as she found love again, only to have it fall apart again, the gutless wonder was a fool, he had her love, her heart, she would have done anything for him and he threw it all away, I watched helplessly as her heath declined, a broken heart, never to be healed. I held her hand and looked into those blue eyes one last time, as slowly she left this earth and me. Te Amare Todo la vida.
I will love you my whole life.

Interesting reading about this singer???when I lived in the Bronx back some forty years ago, I hung out at Slattery Park, the neighborhood was starting to change, a few PRs were supers and they had that "gang mentality" sort of in your face types. I can remember a group of girls that would be sitting on the benches just outside the playground, they would be singing
and laughing, the leader of the pack, ha, she wouldn't take so s^&* of anyone, she'd get up into the PRs face and tell them this that and everything else, she said she was "connected" to some "family" mentioned names but with age this mind is slowly fading, anyway, they hung around Slattery for maybe 8 or 9 months, singing hanging out, damn they were good, their harmony was great and the leader a looker and a good singer, deep voice as I sit here now I'm wondering if this could be the person everyone is talking about? She'd be around late 50's, maybe or a little younger.

Yo Yvonne, I'm a guy, wasn't a part of the Slattery Park Boys but did know some of the guys that played basketball from SSS, Doc, Jimmy John, Vic and his cousin ???, I lived on Valentine right across from SSS. I left the Bronx in 1975, it was a hellhole by then and was glad to get out of there, been back recently and things are changing for the better.
Although the area around Fordham Rd isn't all that great. Took my grandkids to the zoo, which they loved, the area sure has changed.

Did you know the group of girls I'm talking about, they were there like every day/night singing, hanging out with the PRs that hung around, like I said I remember this group because they sang good and the one gal wouldn't take no s&*( from anyone, she'd put anyone who said something right in there place, I spoke to her one time not being nasty or anything, and she told me to get lost, she had a boyfriend and didn't want any trouble. I still remember that group of girls, but can't remember if they had a name or what became of them.

I'd say that the girls were singing there around 62/63 maybe my mind isn't too clear on the years but it was early in the 60's. BTW I'm a little older than you, I didn't hang around Field Place, but I did hang around the Pizza Place on the Concourse across from the Astor Theater, there was a ladies hair salon, the white building with double entrances one on the Concourse and one on Ryer Ave. nice building
all marble. I think you could get a slice and drink for like 25 cents.

Yvonne, today you wouldn't want to see the old hood, lots of Dominicans, drug dealers everywhere, they say that 183rd is the worst block in the Bronx, I was back about 4 wks ago and not a white person did I see, the stores are a horror, I spoke to someone who said that a gang called BCC has a stronghold on 181 St. and they rule the area. Most of the gangs are Dominicans and are spreading into Parkchester which is another area they rule. Sad for sure that what we all remember is now gone. I did take a trip down around the Stadium and things there are looking up, new condo's and such going up. Took a ride into Inwood, what was once Irish is now Dominicans too, loud music, groups of guys hanging. Times have changed and so has the area, they say, its getting better, but there are still areas that need to get better and soon.

Yvonne, right on 183rd St. on the right side of the street there was a deli, German, they had the best potatoe salad, oil and vinagar, I can taste it now, then near the hair salon was a Jewish deli, turkey sandwiches on rye with a kosher pickle or a hot dog with potatoe salad on it with ****y mustard. Yummy, on the corner of where the Astor was there was a Irish bar, Sullivan's I think. I remember right on the corner of Creston and 183rd was a Kosher butcher and on the opposite corner was a bar, Heffner's. At the time there were alot of bars and plenty of people would sit on a Sunday after church and watch the baseball games and have a couple of beers.

I was talking with a fellow from the Slattery Park the other night and he remembered that singing group of girls, he mentioned that one of them was "connected" as in mob, interesting that someone that seemed so young would be involved with the "mob". Maybe its just a rumor but I can remember this girl as clear as day, great voice, but had a attitude, like don't mess with me or else.

Its nice that there's someone from the old hood on here, the neighbor may have gone to s@#$ but back then it was our slice of heaven.

I have a picture of the same intersection taken in the mid 50's. The bar on the NW corner was Sullivan's...just a few doors down from the Ascot theatre.

Ooh I wish you could put it under the one above, so we can have a visual of how the place has changed, oh well, diversity, you know.

Man, after nearly 45 yrs, my mind is forgetting names of places that I knew, walked by everyday and seen on a daily basis. Yes, the corner bar was Sullivan's, then there was a dry cleaner, candy store, laundermat, and Kosher butcher on the corner. Apex on the other corner, hardware store, shoe repair, another store??? G & R Bakery, Associated. Across the street starting from the corner Heffner's, Pearls Grocery, Butcher shop, Ladies Shop, butcher store and Bee's candy store, then the vegtable store, Pizza store, hair salon, Hi's grocery, toy store and drug store on the corner of Morris.

Ha, now its drug haven, people just hanging all around, guys walkin up to you to score drugs.
I'm Puerto Rican, and although no one bothered me, its not a place to go at night, the apt. buildings have all been redone, Creston Ave itself is quite, but 183rd is just rough, all the way to Jerome, than whole area is shot, the area over by SSS is so so. The area North of Fordham around 192nd St. and the Concourse is OK but don't go off the Concourse on Bainbridge Ave or Marion Ave. Valentine is a horror as far as what I saw.

You know that old addage, "you can never go home" well, I guess its true. I know Mike you want to go back, stay well North, Riverdale/Woodlawn or Phelem Bay or Morris Park its a eye opener.

Jose, Marion and Bainbridge WAS a great nabe to grow up...but you're right..not too many areas still safe. I've pretty much narrowed it down to Woodlawn or Riverdale.

They say that the Bronx is slowly coming back, I have seen much new developement around the stadium area, Fordham area is still not that great, but Woodlawn, Riverdale seem to be doing OK, lots of building in Riverdale $$$ for those homes.

Hope you realize your dream Mike and are able to make it back "home". Good luck.

Yvonne, I remember the Doll House, it was near a Horn and Hardharts, down near Mama's Luncheonette, that whole area is the pits now.
I understand that there were at least 8 murders there this year alone, and that drugs are very heavy in the area.

Thanks for the picture, remember there was a Jewish Center next to the Ascot, then residential hotel and a apt. building on Field Place there was a candy store, ladies shop, pizza place, I remember the luncheonette where Murray and Joey worked, then a tuxedo place.

I remember all those places along the Concourse, I remember the luncheonette too, Murrays parents owned it, he was a real wise a s s, had to straighten him out a couple of times about talking nice to the girls in the neighborhood, he lived on Morris Ave with his parents, went to Rooservelt HS, he hung around with some crossed eyed little guy, he also though he was Mr. Wonderful, heard he became a lawyer and defends rapist and murderers in the Bronx, another complete a s s hole.

Joey was the delivery boy, nice kid, he wasn't like Murray or the crosseyed one, never had a problem with him....that was a very long time ago early 60's at least.

Mama's is where Gorman used to hang out and he'd sing in the tunnels of the train station on 182nd St. Mama's is also where the girls from St. Simon Stock would hang out or across the street at the Voos.

Wasn't that luncheonette down by Field Place and 184th St. it was near the pizza place where we used to go after the dances, everyone from SSS went there for something to eat after the dances. If my memory is right, Murray had a convertible and he'd ride around thinking he was Mr. Big. LOL.

I remember the Doll House near 182nd St. I remember Mama's we'd go there for lunch or after school, but the other place on the other corner was cooler, you'd see the gals out there smoking, hiking up their skirts, they though they were "it". LOL

Its amazing what our minds can hold as far as memories....seems like yesterday, great memories.

Donna, yes, Murray rode around in a black convertible, he lived up the block on Morris Ave in the white apt. building, he had a friend little guy with crossed eyes, though he was Gods gift to woman. In fact, the little guy used to "hit" on my Angel all the time, and I had a little talk with him about that, I understand he's now a lawyer in Manhattan.

My Angel knew alot of people and people knew her she'd walk down the street on 183rd and the storekeepers would always come out and greet her like she was royality, lol, she would get mad by them doing that, but the shopkeepers thought they would get brownie points seeing as her grandparents owned the stores and it seemed the right thing to do. She always was polite back to them, and they enjoyed that she spoke to them, and I remember some of them saying, please remember to tell your grandparents we asked about them, those were the days, great memories, great people, great times.

I was just reading this thread and I couldn't help but think of this song, Mr. Bigstuff who do you think you are? Mr. Bigstuff your never gonna get my love. Ha, Murray thought he was something, car, money, he was a loser with that little guy always following behind him, what a pair, they were always on the prowl looking for girls. I remember Joey the delivery guy, hell of a guy, sweet and he didn't like the way the other two clowns spoke to girls or even acted. I know a couple of times over near the pizza place Joey actually yelled at Murray that he was a pig, I thought for sure Joey would lose his job, no one talked back to Murray.

Those were the days Jose, life was good, we had great times, good kids from the neighborhood and one of the most respected kids was your Angel, from the candystore owner to the grocerystore owner, everyone wanted to have a conversation with her, I remember one time, some guy with a snootful from the bar, staggered out of the bar on the corner, stumbled right into her, knocking her to the ground, all the guys came out of the bar, dragged him away, and got her on her feet, they were all apologizing for his behavior, she straightened herself out and didn't get upset or anything, she just thanked them and off she went. A classy teen and I'm sure that when she got older she was a classy lady. I'm telling you everyone adored her, she'd walk into a room and the whole place would light up, everyone would stand around her, she was without a doubt the center of attention during those early years. A fun person to be around, wow, to go back in time, we had a blast.

I spent my weekend in a tme warp, back to the 60's, listening to the Duprees, Mel Carter, Kenny Vance and The Chiffons and of course The Innocents, the music takes me back to the good times in the Bronx, carefree times, we were all so young, thinking of our future and what life would hold for us. I sat thinking of my Angel and the good life that she had, family, friends and people all around her who loved her, I thought of how she opened her heart to everyone, and those that didn't deserve a kind word from her, yet, she always said something nice, always looking for the good. Her life was cut short too soon, and I live with that grief. Yes, she was a good person, no one can deny that, she had one last shot at love and fate stepped in and dealt her a fatal blow.