THE LOBOSCO FAMILY

Pictured here, about 179 members of the Lobosco family gather at Great Falls National Park in Paterson. The large family has stayed true to their roots.

To say Clelia Lobosco De Souter is proud of her family's heritage would be an understatement.

Lobosco, 51, of Wayne, explained with the aid of black and white family photos, and lengthy sections of paper depicting a part of her 52 page family tree, how the Lobosco family history stretches back to 1913, when seven brothers emigrated from Italy to Paterson to start a better life.

Since then, the family has spread across the country and become an influential presence in Paterson, Wayne and Totowa. The Lobosco Insurance Agency is on McBride Avenue in Woodland Park. Additionally, Passaic County Superior Court Judge Joseph Portelli and Totowa Mayor John Coiro are also related to the family.

Lobosco said this year she is expecting 300 will attend the family's 50th anniversary Christmas party to be held Dec. 6 at the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Hall in Little Falls. Family members from as far away as Argentina, and from numerous states, including California, Arizona, Texas and Illinois will be attending.

"The numbers keep going up by the hour," Lobosco said about relatives that have registered to attend.

The party has been a tradition since 1957, when family members formed the Lobosco Association, a group that organizes family events like the annual Christmas party and picnics, Lobosco said. She said members of the organization have been meeting once per month since January to help plan the party and she became involved because she wanted to continue the tradition.

 

To say Clelia Lobosco De Souter is proud of her family's heritage would be an understatement.

Lobosco, 51, of Wayne, explained with the aid of black and white family photos, and lengthy sections of paper depicting a part of her 52 page family tree, how the Lobosco family history stretches back to 1913, when seven brothers emigrated from Italy to Paterson to start a better life.

Since then, the family has spread across the country and become an influential presence in Paterson, Wayne and Totowa. The Lobosco Insurance Agency is on McBride Avenue in Woodland Park. Additionally, Passaic County Superior Court Judge Joseph Portelli and Totowa Mayor John Coiro are also related to the family.

Lobosco said this year she is expecting 300 will attend the family's 50th anniversary Christmas party to be held Dec. 6 at the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Hall in Little Falls. Family members from as far away as Argentina, and from numerous states, including California, Arizona, Texas and Illinois will be attending.

"The numbers keep going up by the hour," Lobosco said about relatives that have registered to attend.

The party has been a tradition since 1957, when family members formed the Lobosco Association, a group that organizes family events like the annual Christmas party and picnics, Lobosco said. She said members of the organization have been meeting once per month since January to help plan the party and she became involved because she wanted to continue the tradition.

"I wanted my children to experience what I had as a child," Lobosco said. "It's so rewarding when you see all these people coming in and we're all related."

Over the years, Lobosco has put together video presentations depicting her family history. This year, she interviewed elderly family members and is preparing a slide show she will be showing family members, Lobosco said. The association has named this year's party, "Keeping the Family Spirit Alive."

Lobosco said, "We have a strong sense of family."

Click here for the full artical

http://www.northjersey.com/community/74350477.html.

Members of the Lobosco Clan Remain True to Family Ties
Sunday, December 28, 2003

By ROSALIE LONGO
HERALD NEWS

Members of the Lobosco clan aren't postal employees, but they share their motto and work ethic.  Like dedicated mail carriers who swiftly complete their appointed rounds in snow, rain, heat and gloom of night, the Loboscos forge ahead in all kinds of weather to reach their destination.  They're even willing to brave a blizzard to get to a family event.

Despite heavy wind, driving snow and slippery roads on Dec. 14, 170 descendants of Michele and Vincenza Lobosco managed to make their way to Totowa American Legion hall to attend the Lobosco Association's annual Christmas party.

What spurred them on?  "A strong sense of family and a need to keep a tradition alive," says Clelia Lobosco De Souter, a member of the courageous clan.

First to demonstrate Lobosco courage was Angelo Lobosco, who left Sala Consilina, Italy, in 1911 at the age of 18 to seek his fortune in America.  In ensuing years, Angelo was joined by his six siblings, Rosario, Michele (De Souter's grandfather), Luigi, Giuseppina, Attilio and Emilio.  "One by one, they would leave Italy and help each other to find a better life, a place to establish new roots, a place to build a new home," De Souter says.

All seven of the Loboscos settled in the city of Paterson.  While Angelo was first to emigrate to America, Michele was first to become a U.S. citizen. He took the oath Dec. 31, 1918, just five years after his arrival.  A World War I veteran, Michele served with the U.S. military while two brothers remaining in Italy fought in their homeland.

According to De Souter there were several firsts at this year's party.  After viewing a 20 minute audiovisual presentation on the history of the Loboscos, relatives had an opportunity track their ancestors on the family's 37-page ancestral tree.

As a special highlight, Mayor John Coiro and council members in Totowa issued a proclamation honoring members of the Lobosco family for taking pride in their heritage and establishing roots in surrounding communities including Totowa.

The proclamation also hailed the Loboscos for establishing a foundation 46 years ago to maintain family bonds and carrying on the ideals of original immigrants who persevered to attain the American Dream.

During festivities, guests paid tribute to family matriarch, Vincenza Lobosco, who had to raise 10 children on her own following the death of her husband. While 220 relatives were expected at this year's gathering, only 50 had to bow out due to bad weather.  Some of the brave souls who forged ahead came from as far away as Pasadena, Md., Old Tappan, Bayville and Cranford.

According to De Souter, the party was not held last year because aging members could not continue the tradition.

"Many were disappointed and had really looked forward to seeing aunts, uncles and cousins at the annual gathering," she says. "It became clear that the younger generation needed to take up the reins.  "I, for one, wanted my young daughters, ages 5 and 10, to experience the feeling of family, which had such a profound influence on my life. So with that in mind, announcements were sent out, committees formed, and before long, cousins stepped forward to volunteer."

In addition to arranging for food, music and decorations, committee members researched archives at the Ellis Island web site for original ship manifests. They also rummaged through basements and attics for old photos and documents.

Thanks to the efforts of De Souter and her husband, Marc, a narrated history was set to music.  "This has been a truly memorable experience for me and my family," De Souter says. It was gratifying to watch the younger generation learn of their roots and for the senior members to relive the past. Most importantly, it was a way to honor our 'Famiglia.' I could sense my ancestors all around me on that snowy day saying, thank you for remembering.

"The phone has been ringing off the hook, e-mails and cards of thanks have been streaming in. The tradition will most definitely continue next year as so many have realized that we are a formidable family that must not forget.

"A cousin, Josie Lobosco Mancinelli, wrote, 'I went to bed like a young kid (with much thanks) and with visions of sugar coated beautiful past memories of so many of our dearest departed."