Antonio "Anthony" (a.k.a. Tony) LaLena was born in 1867 in Caccamo to Sicilian peasants Nicasio Antonio LaLena and Domenica Dolce LaLena. In November of 1905, shortly after the beginning of the second wave of the Italian Diaspora, Antonio immigrated to America aboard the SS Italia through the port of New York to join his younger brothers, Filippo and Giovanni, who had emigrated the previous decade. Antonio was 38 when he made the voyage. His final destination was listed as Chicago, where Filippo resided. On May 30, 1917, the SS Italia was torpedoed and sunk by the Austro-Hungarian Navy submarine U-4 (Captain Rudolf Singule) in the Mediterranean Sea 46 miles southeast of Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy.
It is believed to be around 1912 when Tony moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where his brother Giovanni's family had finally settled. There, he married his wife, Giuseppa "Josephine," who was also a native of Caccamo, Sicily. The couple had one child, a daughter named Dominica, after Tony's mother. Dominica was known as "Mayme," and she was born in 1922 when Tony was 54.
Through 1921, at least, Tony worked for the Gulf States Belting and Hose Company in Shreveport. This factory was the largest leather belt manufacturing plant in the South. However, by the 1930's he and Josephine owned and operated a grocery store at 300 North Allen Avenue (the corner of N. Allen Ave. and Alston St.), as well three adjacent rental houses on that same street. These buildings still stood as of 2017.
After a lengthy illness, Tony passed away in 1952 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his brother Filippo. Tony was survived by his wife, daughter, a grandson, and his brother Giovanni, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His mass was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Joseph M. Susi. Pallbearers were Anthony Cardaro, Dominic Cardaro, Msr. Rev. J. V. Plauche, Joe Cardaro, Tony DeFatta, Phillip DeFatta, Randall Mason, John Tuminello, and William Logan.
Siblings:
Filippo "Philip" LaLena (1873-1928)
John Nick LaLena (1876-1964)
It is believed to be around 1912 when Tony moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where his brother Giovanni's family had finally settled. There, he married his wife, Giuseppa "Josephine," who was also a native of Caccamo, Sicily. The couple had one child, a daughter named Dominica, after Tony's mother. Dominica was known as "Mayme," and she was born in 1922 when Tony was 54.
Through 1921, at least, Tony worked for the Gulf States Belting and Hose Company in Shreveport. This factory was the largest leather belt manufacturing plant in the South. However, by the 1930's he and Josephine owned and operated a grocery store at 300 North Allen Avenue (the corner of N. Allen Ave. and Alston St.), as well three adjacent rental houses on that same street. These buildings still stood as of 2017.
After a lengthy illness, Tony passed away in 1952 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his brother Filippo. Tony was survived by his wife, daughter, a grandson, and his brother Giovanni, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His mass was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Joseph M. Susi. Pallbearers were Anthony Cardaro, Dominic Cardaro, Msr. Rev. J. V. Plauche, Joe Cardaro, Tony DeFatta, Phillip DeFatta, Randall Mason, John Tuminello, and William Logan.
Siblings:
Filippo "Philip" LaLena (1873-1928)
John Nick LaLena (1876-1964)
Antonio "Anthony" (a.k.a. Tony) LaLena was born in 1867 in Caccamo to Sicilian peasants Nicasio Antonio LaLena and Domenica Dolce LaLena. In November of 1905, shortly after the beginning of the second wave of the Italian Diaspora, Antonio immigrated to America aboard the SS Italia through the port of New York to join his younger brothers, Filippo and Giovanni, who had emigrated the previous decade. Antonio was 38 when he made the voyage. His final destination was listed as Chicago, where Filippo resided. On May 30, 1917, the SS Italia was torpedoed and sunk by the Austro-Hungarian Navy submarine U-4 (Captain Rudolf Singule) in the Mediterranean Sea 46 miles southeast of Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy.
It is believed to be around 1912 when Tony moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where his brother Giovanni's family had finally settled. There, he married his wife, Giuseppa "Josephine," who was also a native of Caccamo, Sicily. The couple had one child, a daughter named Dominica, after Tony's mother. Dominica was known as "Mayme," and she was born in 1922 when Tony was 54.
Through 1921, at least, Tony worked for the Gulf States Belting and Hose Company in Shreveport. This factory was the largest leather belt manufacturing plant in the South. However, by the 1930's he and Josephine owned and operated a grocery store at 300 North Allen Avenue (the corner of N. Allen Ave. and Alston St.), as well three adjacent rental houses on that same street. These buildings still stood as of 2017.
After a lengthy illness, Tony passed away in 1952 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his brother Filippo. Tony was survived by his wife, daughter, a grandson, and his brother Giovanni, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His mass was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Joseph M. Susi. Pallbearers were Anthony Cardaro, Dominic Cardaro, Msr. Rev. J. V. Plauche, Joe Cardaro, Tony DeFatta, Phillip DeFatta, Randall Mason, John Tuminello, and William Logan.
Siblings:
Filippo "Philip" LaLena (1873-1928)
John Nick LaLena (1876-1964)
It is believed to be around 1912 when Tony moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where his brother Giovanni's family had finally settled. There, he married his wife, Giuseppa "Josephine," who was also a native of Caccamo, Sicily. The couple had one child, a daughter named Dominica, after Tony's mother. Dominica was known as "Mayme," and she was born in 1922 when Tony was 54.
Through 1921, at least, Tony worked for the Gulf States Belting and Hose Company in Shreveport. This factory was the largest leather belt manufacturing plant in the South. However, by the 1930's he and Josephine owned and operated a grocery store at 300 North Allen Avenue (the corner of N. Allen Ave. and Alston St.), as well three adjacent rental houses on that same street. These buildings still stood as of 2017.
After a lengthy illness, Tony passed away in 1952 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his brother Filippo. Tony was survived by his wife, daughter, a grandson, and his brother Giovanni, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His mass was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Joseph M. Susi. Pallbearers were Anthony Cardaro, Dominic Cardaro, Msr. Rev. J. V. Plauche, Joe Cardaro, Tony DeFatta, Phillip DeFatta, Randall Mason, John Tuminello, and William Logan.
Siblings:
Filippo "Philip" LaLena (1873-1928)
John Nick LaLena (1876-1964)
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