Romano Family Memories
A Memories Project submission by Anthony “Nino” Romano
Carmelo Romano and Santina Campisi grew up next door to each other in a town called Port Paulo in Sicily, Italy. There was not electricity and that meant no radio, etc. When an outside newspaper arrived, it was months old. The industry was tuna fishing and processing. The whole town took part in it. They would not pull the mile-long net in unless at least 100 tuna had been caught.
Carmelo came to American approximately in 1924, and his future wife Santina came over later. They met again and got married in Lawrence, MA. Being a natural fisherman, they soon moved to Nahant. It was healthier for him. They had three sons. There was Joseph (the eldest), myself, and Domenic.
Romano Family
Carmelo Romano making nets
Carmelo had lobster traps and went fishing everyday from Short Beach. This was a very enjoyable beach, except when there was a storm. You could lose your boat and everything. My father made his lobster traps in the cellar of our house at 6 Spring Road. There was a potbelly stove used for heating the basement and to roast chestnuts. What a beautiful taste!!
We threw the net on the beach and caught all kinds of fish. Everything was abundant and the surf clams tasted great.
The view is something people pay dearly to see today. Egg Rock was about a half-mile out, a haven for sea gulls and their nests. There are still traces of the lighthouse. Nahant was an amazing place. We grew up there when it was pristine.
Special Note: Anne Deluca Cote remembers that Santina (Campisi) Romano was a wonderful clam digger who went out at low tide. Santina collected periwinkles for her own special chowder recipe. She often accompanied her husband when he was fishing, including hauling the dory in and out of the water.