by Coral Roberts

Created on: October 20, 2010

Good by Mr. Galletto
You are part of some wonderful  memories of  a very special time in my life that I have always carried with me.
You were an Italian immigrant and I was a very young lost little girl with no daddy.
It could have been a very bad time  in my little life, but it was the best. I have always though of my life during that time as magical. We lived in the worse part of the city, gangs, mafia, murders, and more. In the middle of all this was a safe little pocket of Italian, American Indian, and Black families that bonded together to make the lives of all the children  the happiness, safest  and  the best that any child could have asked for.

You and your family lived in our neighbor hood, you were my uncles partner and  always included  my brother and I   into your home as if we were family.
I remember  fondly those days: family dinners Friday night pizza competitions , stealing pears from the tree on the corner, picking berries by the river.
 Learning how to pitch pennies, play boccie ball, and walk on stilt, roller skate,  and ride our bikes. Our days were so full of wonderful things to do!
You always seemed to understand  what a child needed and always showed patience, understanding,  and love for us all.
 Every child felt loved and protected. No one family took care of us, every family  did including yours.
We could go to any house in the neighborhood and we were part of that family the minute we walked though  the door. More often then not my brother and I would head to your home for the day knowing we would be welcomed.
if something happened we knew we would be taken care of
If we did  something wrong we would be set right with out fear.  
We shared pets, had block parties, picnics, cook outs, and  shared each others lives.
This is the time of year  I think of you and and all the wonderful people from that magical time in my life the most.
Autumn and Halloween was a special  time of year in our neighborhood  and still  to this day this time  of year still excites me  and fills me with hope and joy.
You left us today after a full and rich life. It was time for a new adventure and you had to move on.
Everyone will miss you but no one will be sad we are too filled with love and the joy you shared with us all over the years.
Some day we will all meet again. Till then you will live forever in my heart and the all the hearts you have touch.
Good bye Mr Galletto thank you for the memories that will keep you alive forever in my heart.

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