Yiyi (Lily) Bove, New American Citizen: A Family Legacy Continues
She is one of millions from throughout the world who
appreciated the values of America.
This new American is particularly important to me. She is my beloved wife, Yiyi (Lily) Bove.
Lily could never imagine the power of a dream come true. When she was growing up in Pengxi, China, a small town on the other side of the world many years ago, she dreamed of living in America.
Her dream is now a reality. She is an American citizen, and
she is deeply moved by this sacred privilege. Lily feels it is one of the most cherished experiences of her life.
Here she is, living the American dream, and she is an inspiration. Lily is a reminder that there is nothing as
real as a dream – for with dedication, faith, and devotion – despite
challenges and setbacks – dreams do come true.
Being beside her for years, watching her countless hours
of studying English (ESL) and American Civics, and conducting mock interview sessions with her for months, has been profoundly enriching.
The Legacy Continues
Lily also continues the legacy of my family, which began in America with the arrival of great grandparents from both the maternal grandmother and grandfather’s sides of my sister Catherine Ann Bove and I, from many years ago.
Lily’s new journey is mystically connected with these loved ones, and millions before her from throughout the world. This journey significantly ignites with the
oath of allegiance she took at a ceremony conducted by the US District Court, in Newark, New Jersey on March 30, 2022.
Effective immediately after the oath, Lily “having complied in all respects with all of
the applicable provisions of the naturalization laws of the United States’’
was “admitted as a citizen of the United
States of America.”
Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the
United States of America
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely
renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince,
potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a
subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of
the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I
will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on
behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform
noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by
the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian
direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely,
without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
This article, published on Nov. 29, 2016 memorializes our family history. It is an honor that my wife is now part of it.
I am also confident that Lily, like so many before her who loved America, will touch hearts, minds, and souls with her loving kindness and devotion to God, country, family, community and friends.
Honoring American
Immigrants: Family, Neighbors, Heroes (Nov. 29, 2016)
Immigrants represent the ideals, principles, and freedom of
our country. They are represented by our families, neighbors, and heroes.
Prior to sharing these words, I held in my hands a document
very sacred to me. It is a detailed copy of my family tree, complete with
names, and dates of birth, as well as dates of deaths where applicable, and a
meticulous layout of the connections between each family member.
The documents were prepared for me from my beloved Aunt Josephine (Jaye) Tortora (nee Cirrito)[i] on February 14, 1996.
These treasured documents were lovingly hand-written by her prior to her death. She lived an amazing 105 years of life before her passing on July 18,
2011. I was privileged to be with her on
the night before she died at the Gates Manor Senior Residence Home in
Montclair, NJ and prayed the rosary at her bedside.
Bove Family Tree: The
Cirrito’s
Joseph’s wife, our great grandmother Gaetana (nee Buscarelli), born on Jan. 25, 1875 in Palermo, Italy. She died from Spanish Influenza on Nov. 4, 1918 at the age of 43.
Since Gaetana passed away at an early age, our great grandfather remarried to Carmela (nee Sarto).
These maternal great-grandparents were immigrants, representative of millions who came to America, beckoned by
the words inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty:
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled
masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden
door!"
This promise is the
heart of our Declaration of Independence. These rights, along with our Bill of Rights, demand eternal protection by our
government as they compliment the requirements of human dignity.
Bove Family Tree: The Rufino’s
The grandparents on our grandfather's side of the family were
also immigrants. They came from the city of Afragola, Italy.
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As memorialized by documents in the
possession of his grand-daughter Bonnie, Luigi Rufino was always working hard
to provide for his family. His profession is listed as a mason, but he also had
a candy store and peddled vegetables.
Luigi's last job was the fireman at United Hospital on 189th
Street in the Bronx. He was responsible for shoveling coal into the furnace to
keep the fire burning before oil and gas heat became so prevalent.
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According to published historical records, Maria Josephine
Rufino (nee Pannone) was born circa 1887. Luigi was born circa 1879, in Italy. He died on March 14, 1960. Maria Josephine passed away on Oct 15, 1960, only months after her beloved husband’s passing, truly a marriage of love and devotion. Their love was memorialized by their granddaughters words:
“Yes, grandma died from a broken heart after grandpa died. All she did was cry. I remember because we had to take turns sitting with her to keep her company.” Marcia (Cissy) Weaver (nee Rufino).
Luigi and Maria had one daughter, Margaret (Maggie) Mirando (nee Rufino). They also had sons named Joseph, Mario, and Vincent.
A fascinating notation from the 1960 City of New York, Department of Health, Bureau of Records and Statistics death certificates for our great grandparents Luigi and Mary J. Rufino are the names of their parents, our great-great grandparents.
Our great grandma Mary J. Rufino's (nee Pannone) mother and father, our great-great grandparents were Joseph and Vincenza Panonne (nee Cerone). Great grandpa Luigi Rufino's parent's, our great-great grandparents, were Vincenzo and Michela Rufino (nee DeLuca).
Bove Family Tree: Rose Bove
The photo is of Rose Bove, the mother of Saverio Bove and paternal grandmother of numerous grandchildren including Vincent A. Bove, the father of Vincent J. Bove.
Saverio Bove was also the father of Felippe (Phil) Bove, and daughters Rose Longobardo (nee Bove) and Millie Somma (nee Bove).
Annette noted that the photo is from her 1966 wedding album to Ralph Castaldi.
Annette remembers her dying, circa 1975, in a car accident when she was about 90 years old.
Rose lived with Bove family members and in-laws in Ozone Park, Queens, and immigrated from Genoa, Italy.
 |
| Saverio Bove with daughter Rose |
Saverio was born in 1905 and died at a young age from brain cancer, circa 1953, at 48 years old.
But, recently my first cousin Annette Castaldi (nee Longobardo) found a photo of Saverio Bove with her mother, his daughter Rose.
It is from the December 21, 1946 wedding day of Annette's mother Rose Longobardo (nee Bove), wife of John P. Longobardo, and the sister of Vincent A. Bove, father of Vincent J. Bove and Catherine Ann Bove.
Also, in my own personal collection of family photos I came across another photo of Saverio Bove.
It is from photos given to me by my father Vincent A. Bove, and his handwriting on the back has the notation, "My father, 1944."
Saverio was married to Antoinette Bove (nee Liguori) and for a period of their marriage they lived on Villa Avenue in the Bronx. At the time, it was an Italian neighborhood.
Saverio's siblings were his sister Concetta (Connie) and his brothers Louis, Jimmy, and
Anthony.
After Saverio's divorce from Antoinette, he moved to Ozone Park, Queens, and never remarried partly because of his untimely death.
According to the National Archives and Records Administration, Grandpa Saverio is listed as a member of the U.S. Army, per World War II enlistment records of 1938 to 1946. He is also listed as separated marital status with dependents, and in the occupation of tailor.
The Bronx: A Melting Pot
This experience allowed the world to be our doorstep,
expressed through countless encounters with classmates, friends, neighbors, and
community members.
Our neighborhood in the vicinity of Gun Hill and Fordham Roads; Webster, Jerome, and Bainbridge Avenues, and the Bronx Zoo, was a melting pot. It was filled with people of every conceivable religion,
culture, ethnicity, country of origin, and language.
The goodness of these people, exemplified through their work ethic, dedication to family, smiles, courtesy, and countless acts of charity is eternally etched in my
memory.
Immigrants Securing
America
professionalism, vigilance, and leadership.
Before employment, these security professionals, many of
whom were immigrants, went through a rigorous hiring procedure. It included a meticulous review of government requirements such as proof of work authorization, federal and state fingerprint
checks, a previous employment verification, written integrity exam, and drug testing.
I personally interviewed and checked these
requirements for hundreds of security personnel and police officers working as full and part-time personnel. Afterwards, I assigned them to
secure some of America’s most well-known clients. These clients represented
corporate and residential properties, banks, hospitals, media, colleges, and retail
enterprises.
These officers, many of whom were eventually promoted to supervisors and managers; protected property, people, and information. They provided leadership for emergencies including lockdowns and evacuations.
Essentially, they
protected our homeland, with many receiving commendations at award ceremonies for exemplary conduct, meritorious actions, and outstanding service.
Many used these private security positions as a stepping stones to police, military, and government careers.
Immigrant Medal of
Honor Recipients
America must be forever grateful for the many heroes who died serving our nation, including those not born on our soil.
Over 20 percent (over 700) of Congressional Medal of Honor
recipients in U.S. wars have been immigrants.
One recipient was Mercario Garcia from Mexico who after
recovery from a D-Day wound, single-handedly took two enemy machine-gun nests
on Nov. 27, 1944.
Only after protecting his unit from this danger, despite
being shot in the shoulder and foot, did Mercario allow himself to be evacuated
for medical care.
Final Reflections
Solving this issue is achievable and critical to reawakening
the nation. But, the fact remains that America is a great land because of the
values, vision, and service of countless immigrants.
Immigrants are our family members, neighbors, and heroes.
We must be forever honor their contributions to America.
Photos
1. Yiyi Bove, Oath of Allegiance, Mar. 30, 2022,
Newark, NJ. (Reawakening America LLC)
2. Lily
and Vincent Bove, Statue of Liberty, Sept. 29, 2018. (Reawakening America LLC)
3. Vincent J Bove and Catherine Ann Bove's great grandparents were Joseph, and his second wife Carmella. Joseph's first wife was Gaetana Cirrito (nee Buscarelli). Joseph was born in 1858 and died in 1941 at the age of 83.
Gaetana was born in 1875 and died in 1918 at the age of 43 from Spanish
Influenza. Joseph and Gaetana are the parents of Vincent's beloved grandmother Catherine, who
was married to Vincent J. and Catherine Ann Bove’s grandfather Vincent Rufino.
4. Joseph (Giuseppe) Cirrito, United States Certificate of Immigration No. 339419, Feb. 26, 1913. (Courtesy Ray Cirrito)
***The next photo is Luigi and Maria Rufino (nee Pannone) with their daughter Maggie. They were the parents of Vincent J and Catherine Ann Bove’s grandfather Vincent Rufino, whose brothers were named Mario and Joseph. Their sister was named Maggie. (Courtesy of Cissy Rufino). It is followed by Luigi and Maria Rufino at their Arthur Avenue home, Bronx, NY, circa 1955. (Courtesy Cissy Rufino)
These are followed by photos of Rose Bove and then her son Saverio Bove with his daughter Rose on her wedding day
9. Illustration of immigrants on the steerage deck of an ocean steamer passing the Statue of Liberty from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, July 2, 1887. (National Park Service)
10. Joseph (Giuseppe) Cirrito and Gaetana (nee Buscarelli) Wedding Certificate, Apr. 19, 1890, Certificate No. 4611 of the City of New York. Joseph's fathers name was Luigi Cirrito and his mothers name was Rosa Nicolosi. The father of Gaetana was Antonio Buscarelli. Her mother was Domenica Sena. Giuseppe lived at 304 E. 107th Street, NY, NY. Gaetana lived at 2076 2nd Avenue, NY, NY. Both are listed as originally from Palermo, Italy. (Courtesy Ray Cirrito)
11. Great Grandpa Luigi Rufino U.S. Certificate of Naturalization, July 8, 1921. (Courtesy of Bonnie (Maria) Canonico (nee Rufino)
12. President Harry Truman awards the Congressional Medal of Honor to Mercario Garcia in 1945. (Photo Credit National Archives and Records Administration)
13. Birth Certificate for Joseph (Giuseppe) Cirrito, Province of Palermo, Italy, dated May 30, 1857. (Translation Courtesy Anthony Damiani) (Document Courtesy Ray Cirrito)
14. Vincent Bove with Aunt Jaye on her 100th birthday and a page copy of her hand-written family tree. She lovingly composed it on Feb. 14, 1996 at the request of Vincent Bove.
15. Giuseppe (Joseph) Cirrito United States Declaration of Intention to become citizen, approved Sept. 7, 1911, Court of Common Pleas, New York City, NY.
16. Wedding photo of Vincent (Jimmy) Rufino and Catherine Cirrito, Hudson Photo Studio, Jersey City, NJ. On Catherine's immediate right is her younger sister Margaret. On Vincent's immediate right is his brother Joseph. This photo has family history notes inscribed on its reverse from Dec. 3, 2005 as dictated by Aunt Jaye at her Jersey City home to Vincent Bove.
17. United States of America, Dept. of Commerce and Labor, Petition for Naturalization for Giuseppe Cirrito (born May 30 1857), No. 4181, Dated Mar. 7, 1907. The document details that Giuseppe entered the U.S. Port of NYC on the ship Bolivia on Jan. 7, 1890. The ship left Palermo, Italy on Dec. 20, 1899. It also notes Giuseppe was a builder residing at 384 Duncan Avenue, Jersey City, NJ, and he had nine children at the time. It notes his wife as Gaetana.
18. Giuseppe Cirrito with his first wife Gaetana (nee Buscarelli) before her death in 1918 from Spanish Influenza. Ten of their children (names inscribed) are also in the photo (circa 1916). (Courtesy Joseph Sissano, grandson of Giuseppe and Gaetana)
19. Luigi (Louis) Rufino, residing at 2497 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, NY, Peddler License No. 7775. It is dated May 7, 1932 from the City of New York, Department of Public Markets. The $10.00 fee for 1932 is equated to $207.00 in 2022. According to his grand-daughter Bonnie (Maria) Canonico (nee Rufino), it is understood that her Grandpa Rufino used this license to sell vegetables around Arthur Avenue, and possibly Scarsdale and Hartsdale, NY.
20. Great Grandpa of Vincent J. and Catherine Ann Bove - Luigi Rufino's Italian Passport, Province of Napoli, Aug. 10, 1878. (Courtesy: Bonnie (Maria) Canonico (nee Rufino))
21. Great Grandpa of Vincent J. and Catherine Ann Bove - Luigi Rufino's New York City Chauffer's License, May 27, 1935.(Courtesy: Bonnie (Maria) Canonico (nee Rufino)) .
22. Great grandparents Luigi and Maria Rufino with Marie Scaramuzzo (nee Bove / Rufino) (left side of dual photo) mother of Vincent and Catherine Bove, and her sister Trudy Maniscalco (nee Rufino). The photo was taken in 1943 at the home of great-grandparents Rufino on Arthur Avenue, Bronx NY. (Collection of Marie Scaramuzzo)
23. Great grandparent Giuseppe Cirrito ( top middle of photo in suspenders) in summer of 1937. Recognized in photo are his daughters Margaret (Maggie Bongiovanni), Domenica (Minnie Colletti) and Josephine (Jaye Tortora). Two husbands of the daughters are also recognized as Frank Tortora and Phil Bongiovanni.
24. Photo of Marie Scaramuzzo (nee Rufino) and her sister Trudy Maniscalco (nee Rufino) grand-daughters of Luigi and Maria Rufino, as well as Giuseppi and Carmella Cirrito. The photo was taken at Graymoor, Garrison, NY. It is presumed that their parents (Vincent and Catherine Rufino (nee Cirrito) took them there for Mass. Their mother Catherine's handwriting is on the back of the photo. It notes that Marie is 5 years-old and Trudy is 2 years-old, and the year is 1941. It is my prayerful hope that this photo, added on Sept. 23, 2022 (Feast of Saint Padre Pio) serves as a mystical prayer, uniting loved ones who have passed with those alive. May all of us live the Gospel message, to love God and one another with the simplicity of children, with kindness, humility, and trust.
25. Vincent and Lily Bove at Great Grandmother and Grandfather Maria and Luigi Rufino's home 2497 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, New York, June 12, 2022
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During the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, I enjoyed many visits to her home before site visits to Saint Peter’s College where I was responsible for all security personnel, and conducted numerous safety programs for officers and students. Aunt Jaye always made sure that I had a delicious lunch, and always served Welch’s Concord grape juice.
Aunt Jaye, born on April 18, 1906, worked in the garment district in NYC as a seamstress. She was the wife of Frank Tortora. They had no children. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Gaetana (Buscarelli) Cirrito, and her brothers and sisters Louis, Aloysis, Rosina, Domenica, Vincentina, Carmelo, John, Catherine and Margaret. Aunt Jaye was the loving aunt to 27 nieces and nephews and 18 great nieces and nephews. She passed away on July 18, 2011.
NOTE WELL:
The notes memorialize the name of my great grandfather
Joseph Nicolosi Cirrito’s second wife, Carmela ( nee Sarto). They were introduced by a
priest in NYC after the death of his first wife Gaetana (nee Buscarelli).
Joseph Cirrito was one of four brothers who as a builder. He specialized in plumbing,
maintenance and brick work. He and his brothers worked and
built houses on 106th street in NYC in an Italian neighborhood.
Joseph and Gaetana, along with his second wife Carmela, are
buried at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City, NJ.
The Cirrito’s lived at 360 Dunkin Avenue, Jersey City,
NJ. The home has since been demolished.
They had ten children, noted here, from youngest to oldest:
· Margaret (Margie) – married Philip Bongiovanni
· Catherine – married Vincent (Jimmy) Rufino
· Josephine (Jaye) – married Frank Tortora
·
Carmelo (Bill) – married Ann
·
Domenica (Minnie) – married Biagio (Gus)
Colletti
·
John – married Thelma
·
Vincentina (Tina) – married Frank Sissano
·
Rosina (Rose) – died at 26 years of age
·
Louis – lived in Hillside, NJ
·
Anthony Aloysius – lived in Hillside, NJ
Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for players from two world champion New York Yankee teams.
He developed “Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention” keynotes to safeguard New York City at sites including:
· Museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
· Corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange
· Hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University
· Properties hosted by The Union Club of New York
· Universities hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham University.
Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide. www.vincentbove.com
X and Instagram: VincentJBove
Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing
This blog was updated from its original publication on Aug. 24, 2016 to include a photo of my grandfather's parents, Luigi and Maria Rufino. Both immigrated to America from Afragola, Naples.
Labels: Diversity, Immigration, In Remembrance, Patriotism
posted by Vincent J. Bove, CPP at 1:15 PM
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