TOTOWA BOOK OF THE DEAD

GUESTBOOK 2007-2011

__________________________
From: A Former Totowa Boro resident..‏(ypol@bellsouth.net)
Sent: Fri 10/26/07 12:40 AM

Can't thank you enough for this nostalgic, extraordinary "memory lane" lookback...!
 
Attended Washington Park, Memorial and Passaic Valley High (1962 graduate)
 
Lived in Totowa Boro 12 years -- it will always be "home" to me...

______________________________________________


From: Will Meyer (liberalwill@gmail.com)
Sent: Fri 10/19/07 10:58 AM

Hey Laurie,
Nice work keep living your dream and taking great pictures. Fight the man.
Peace in the Mideast impeach,
Love,
Will

________________________________________________________




From : John OConnor <chochuts@optonline.net>
Sent : Sunday, January 14, 2007 3:34 PM
To : llgg2@hotmail.com
Subject : Your Dad

Laurie. I know your father was an electrician. I was wonder if
he worked in television. I have a clip of the Wonderama TV show with Bob McAllister
where at the end credits there is a Giardino listed.

John O"Connor
Garfield, NJ

___________________________________________________________

From : <mthouse@optonline.net>
Sent : Sunday, January 14, 2007 2:39 PM

Hi Laurie,

Kim is alway in my heart. She was my best friend and miss her dearly. I love looking at your book and visit every so often. It reminds me all that Kim loved. Good Job.

Maria Thompson


___________________________________________________________

From : <Rsassylin1@aol.com>
Sent : Monday, January 8, 2007 10:30 PM
Subject : A FLASH FROM MY PAST

HI,
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FOUND THIS SITE...I GREW UP ON UNION BLVD AND SPENT ALL MY YOUNGER YEARS AT COZYS..I KNEW ALL THE REAL ORIGINAL COZY BOYS DATING BACK TO THE 60'S..I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE ATTENED THE REUNIN HAD I KNOWN.MY BROTHER IS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL BOYS BUD PLATEL..GROWING UP WITH HIM AND THE BELBOL'S WAS JUST THE BEST..I WAS LOOKING AT THE PICTURES FROM THE REUNION TRYING TO SEE WHO I COULD REMEMBER WOW!!!!!!! I DID REMEMBER SOME FACES AND IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. SEEING LARRY BELBOL WAS WAS THE BEST..
I LIVE IN LONG VALLEY NOW BUT DO GO TO TOTOWA OFTEN JUST TO REMEMBER MY TRUE ROOTS...

WHAT A GREAT WEB-SITE I WILL KEEP CHECKING IN..
I WOULD ENJOY HEARING FROM MY FRIENDS FROM THE PAST..
 

_________________________________________________

LINDA (PLATEL)
From : Anderson, Brian <Brian.Anderson@pvt.cardinal.com>
Sent : Tuesday, January 2, 2007 3:44 PM
To : <llgg2@hotmail.com>
Subject : Casino de Charlz - Totowa

Do you have any pictures of the banquet hall Casino de Charlz. Where was/is it? What kind of place it was, etc
. Any information would be helpful. Happy New Year!
Regards,
Brian
 

 

hi laur. did it work?

 

Hope this prevents that awful spam you were afflicted with.

Hey Laurie---coming to you in the new year from the "land of the new rising sun",
I came across your website by accident while researching the origins of the word "Totowa",
and I must say it has had a profound impact on me; Simply put, I was blown away - both mesmerized and energized. Its an excellent piece of work! It has awakened my own memories - which I thought would just fade away and (now) I see them preserved. Your
recollection(s) of events accurately depict what it was like growing up in Totowa Boro and from reading the numerous e-mails, it has struck a chord within many people. For me, this is serving as a catalyst to my picturesque, chronolgical journal which I started writing back in '87; Its an unfinished manuscript, written in the third person (using my pseudonym) that has been dormant for sometime now. The following will synthesize some excerpts from my
journal plus memories from your own website. I'm not sure what the size limit is because the following will be lengthy and if you have to shorten/edit before posting, I will certainly understand. I just hope you have the time to read this in its entirety.// I remember you although I didn't know you too well. I was in the class/grade of your brother Mike - going way back to Washington Park School. My family also "migrated" from Paterson to Totowa
just after the Cuban missile crisis; I have an old (CD) "Civil Defense" posting that was already there when we moved in. My mother still lives in the boro (45 years and counting).
I can recall seeing the ole tree houses, in Laurel Grove Cemetary, until they eventually cut
the trees, themself, down to discourage any newer generations from doing the same...I can remember them "slapping down" what would later become Route 80...ice skating on the cemetary pond...Annie's grave...having a paper route which included actual houses on the boulevard (they are now mostly business locations)...Pappy's...the PAL and playing on its field plus Kennedy, Lincoln fields...Memorial School...the local gangs: KGL, Omega, SLD,
Tasm'n Devils, etc....the Washington Park Boys painting the lines on its own basketball court in the back which lasted for years - kudos to Gary M. & Ralph R....later P.V.H.S...
hanging out on the boulevard...Reefer Road [Note: I have pictures of Doc's and Pat N's writing on the bridge]...Monteyne's/DG's...also hanging at was once Two Guys parking lot
and the "F" building...*In retrospect, the "F" building was unique; upon entering one could
just hang and listen to some of the best Rock music ever recorded; Directory Assistance
was readily available with customer service rep's.---to assist with whatever "stuff" one was looking to purchase and where; Many social service directors---who would have info. on any
parties in town or in the tri-boro area & vicinity; There was even "counseling" services --- where one could just "chill" and air out such things as any incidents either violent or non-violent, any busts or near busts, any near death experiences (much like yours, Laurie, on the infamous sharp curve on reefer road) and, yes, actual [premature] deaths of individuals
who grew up in Totowa Boro...you've touched on that fact because its reality and cannot be precluded/overlooked/forgotten. I remember hearing about Pat N's death. {*anecdote incl.
Pat N: we were all huddled on the lawn around a small TV/Radio, in Laurel Grove near the ole pumphouse - nearly 30 yrs. ago, watching a special entitled: "Echoes of the Sixties",
Pat was so impressed with the portable TV that he kept offering to buy it; he did not offer any $$$, instead he wanted to barter something for it--(I guess) in the spirit of the history of this region, the way they used to years ago??} ...I remember hearing about Charles "Chip"
D., Connie D., Kenny M., plus others. Regardless of how well I knew any/all of the deceased, it affects me in a different way--each time. This also includes hearing about your dad and sister; I know it was tragic, however, you have successfully channeled your thoughts, feelings in what has become an ongoing spiritual journey. They did not die in vain: On the contrary, its been a deferred blessing! Its true what you said about the life of pictures, themself, however, I have a feeling your work reaching out all over in cyberspace will stand the test of time.***For whatever part of this post is allowed to be displayed, I hope this has triggered some memories. As for myself, until my time is up, wherever I go - I'll always have a piece of Totowa inside me. Like yourself, having moved out of the boro + time itself has enabled me to have a better, more objective point of view. You've inspired me to resume writing, organizing my unfinished picturesque journal. I wish you all the best and hope there is a Rainbow Bridge to connect each subsequent equinox for you. You deserve it Laurie G. .....Peace...
Int4Scorpio23@aol.com

keep it going, lg......peace

 

Laurie,

I visit your site frequently to stimulate memories of a younger me. First I would like to offer my condolences on your loss. The website is such a remarkable tribute to loss family and friends. So many of those faces on your site are familiar, yet I know I never knew any of them. I just saw them around town or was a friend of a sibling. It is fascinating how just their images, and your description of the time, spark this incredible memory of my younger days in Totowa.

I will probably start "rambling" so I will apologize now. I just felt compelled to share my memories of Totowa, the same perspective but in another part of town.

Although we don't know each other, I think I may have hung out with Kim on several occasions. I'm 44 and ran with a younger crowd, the hoodlums as you called us. I moved to Totowa when I was about 10, I guess that would be in 1973. Although Cozy's was a hang out when I went there for lunch during the school months, I did not venture there after school. Since I lived on Grant Ave, I primarily hung out at Franks candy store, which was conveniently located in between Grant Ave and Washington Place on Totowa Road and the "bench" that used to be in front of Michaels Drug Store. I was told the bank parking lot was for the older crowd and I/we, the younger ones, wouldn't be welcomed. We too hung out in the cemetery, and as your research points out, hanging in the cemetery has always been a tradition. The rope swing was another favorite hangout, do you remember the "rope swing"? It (the rope) was in the woods that bordered the cemetery (by Memorial School) and what I think was the only park in Totowa. The park had one slide and a couple of swings. The field was used when we had "outside" days for gym. Ironically, what seemed to be the only park in Totowa was also plagued with tragedy it self. There was a lot of pain and death in that area town.

After hanging at the rope swing we would trek through the woods, along the stream, until we came upon the large pond, we use to call it turtle pond because, on any given summer day you would find tons of turtles sunning themselves. At the edge of the pond, but off the main cemetery road, there was what seemed to be an old mausoleum, which was overgrown with bushes and if you didn't know it was there you wouldn't be able to find it. The mausoleum did not have any reminisce of "deceased occupant", but it was set up as a party room. It had old furniture and even a mattress, we would often find burnt out campfires.

Every couple of months the police or fire department would cut down the rope. Within hours of the rope being cut down, someone would climb the tree and secure a new rope in place. From what I understand, many parents complained about the rope swing because of kids being injured. I, for one, happen to know of several occasions where a "rope stunt" went wrong and the "daredevil", usually drunk or high, would fall and rip open their leg on the rocks within the stream below. It took them a couple of years before they decided to cut the branch that the rope was tided to. As you know, that area has gone through an incredible transformation over the last decade, but not without sacrifice. Not long after the tree limb was cut, there was the accidental drowning of a toddler and suicide of a local young man, and these instances would forever be etched in townspeople's minds.

I too have lost friends in Totowa during the same timeline, much the same way you describe on your site. It makes one wonder why we were spared the same fate. Were we smarter to stop while we were ahead? Were we more fearful of the wrath of our parents, or was it something else that helped guide us to the lives we now live.

Anyway, thanks for listening.....keep up the great work

 

HI LAURIE LOVE ALL THE NEW THINGS ON YOUR SITE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK JOE COZY

 

We lived in Totowa from around 1966 to 1977, moving out the summer after I graduated from Memorial.

So many names look familiar but most, including Laurie, were in my older sister's classes.

The site still brings back some good memories though.

Jim Mc Coy
from Fort Wayne, IN
jimm@jimmccoy.com

 

Such an interesting story you have to tell. I moved to the Boro from the Riverside section of Paterson in 1951, graduated from Memorial School in 1953; PV in 1957 and then moved to Clifton when I married in 1960.

Many of the photos bring back fond memories. The Totowa Auto Mart sponsored our PAL baseball team in 1954 through 1956. Doc's and "the corner" was our gathering place all through high school. Directly across the street from the liquor store, where there is a park today, was a wooded area where we set up hand-made card tables of sorts and played Knock Rummy, for money of course, and drank quart bottles of Schaefer Beer. That is until the local and State Police raided us in 1957. Fortunately for us, drugs were never an issue then.

Thanks for the story and photos.

Vinny on Totowa Road

 

I lived in Totowa all my life until the age of 22 when I moved to Florida. I lived on Route 46 between Union Blvd and Riverview Drive. My dad owned and operated "Wester's Service", a gas station right next to my home. I graduated from Passaic Valley High in 1969. I really enjoyed your site, especially the photos. They brought back a lot of memories for me. Thanks

 

As part of the old gang that used to hang out at Murphs, the Barnyard, tar park, I'm wondering what happened to Billy H? Haven't seen Johnny B in about 9 years or so. I enjoy looking at the old photos and thinking back at those times when life was simple and we were convinced that we could change the world. Thanks!

 

I was born in Paterson on August 20, 1941, at St. Joseph's Hospital. i went to P.S. No. 20 and then to Eastside High School, but only for 2 1/2 years, at which point I want to boarding school. I was not reaching my potential. While at Eastside I used to have lunch at Driscoll & Zimmerman (called Drick's) and then, when it opened, at the Cozy. Dessert was obtained at Carlo's Lemon Ice a couple of blocks away. The ice came in paper cups that used to get damp from the melting, and we crushed them and stuck them into the gaps between the bricks near the north entrance of the school, but in a little nook in the wall where no one went. Even though that was 50 years ago now, some of them, squeezed in, might still be there. I sometimes think about going for a look. Later on, over two summers, I worked downtown and ate lunch every day at the Fat Man's. He knew me pretty well; I was called the chipmunk, as in "The chipmunk paid his dues". Katherine always called out "Thank you" from the kitchen. It isn't just the memory; the food there was among the very best best I ever had. Even my mother liked it -- the Fat Man called her "Miss America", which he probably called a lot of people. I never had soup there but the sign gave a price for a bowl of Heavy Duty Soup, with the following legend after it: "No cups -- too heavy". When I was a boy, my family had lunch every Sunday at the Tree Tavern. We always sat at the same table, served by the same waitress (whose name was June, I think), and I had the same thing every week, spaghetti with meatballs and meat sauce. I am glad that I had it every time I went, because I have never had a sauce remotely as good since. The bill for the four of us was about seven dollars. My parents used to linger over their coffee, which made me very restless. I used to ask permission to go to wait in the car, but when this was granted I used to wait on the front steps of the Tree for trains to go by on the Erie Railroad trestle across the street, because if I waved to the engineers they would wave back. Once when I was in PS 20 there was a hurricane, and school was cancelled for the afternoon. Somehow my friend who lived across the street and I convinced our mothers to let us go to the movies -- we went to the US Theater, which was on Main Street, I think. I can't remember what we saw, but when we got out, instead of taking the bus home we walked. We lived caddycorner from each other on 39th Street, which made it a very long walk, two and a half miles, Google maps says. When we approached our houses it was dark from the storm and the wind was blowing, tree branches had been blown down and so on. We thought it was fun to have walked all that distance in a hurricane, and I can't remember getting in trouble for it, either.

 

 

William Carlos Williams rendered Paterson in poetry. Totowa has its own rhythms. Those of us who grew up there still feel them. Why this gritty town creates such strong ties among the people who shared their youths there remains one of the mysteries I cannot explain to others. I will point them here for clues.

John Vail
Memorial School '68
PVHS '72
john.vail@cclfirm.com

 

laurie either you had a really large clique or you were a very bold photographer or both.
wonderful pics.!
your research on the name totowa is enlightening,i heard that pequannock meant swamp and that towaco not totowa meant "garbage dump".
a photographer friend sent me this site and going thru it quickly i remembered that totowa had a "smell" which couldn't be avoided if you drove on the boulevard past bogert st or thereabouts.
sometime in the 80's i saw a newspaper article stating that it was from a factory that ground cinnamon and some other things for perfume.
my father worked as a mechanic for steikers auto on the boulevard in the 50's and is buried in laurel grove.

i grew up in paterson but totowa was a thoroughfare to get to places like 2 guy's and great eastern, willowbrook skating rink then the mall.
i have a about five friends that grew up there.
in the 60's club tyann was popular for teen dancing with live bands around the era of "louie louie", it is depicted as the nailing and painting store at the crest of the hill on your site.
and casino de charles, a swankier affair was about two blocks past the graveyard; it's a cvs now
thanks for bringing back the many pleasant memories of totowa, i'll be back.

 

 

Hi Laurie,
Love the site, you really brought back some great memories of growing up in Totowa. We lived on Lincoln Ave. a block down from The Casino de Charles. across from the Fire House.
My brother Joe was driving down Reefer Road one night in the 70's and they drove into the wall at the sharp bend. The car flipped over and my brother almost lost his hand. He was brought from St. Joseph's hospital to Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx where he had microsurgery to save his hand.
We all turned out O.K. and he lives in Tennessee and I live in Lake Shawnee near Sparta. There will never be another time and place as growing in Totowa. I remember walking up to the liquor store next to Doc's with my father for another quart of beer before the end of the baseball games in the summer.
Best wishes and I'll checking back to see updates.
Chris

 

Hey Chris,
I remember your brother well. Joe used to hang at my house all the time. In fact, I still have the newspaper article about his miraculous surgery. Please tell Joe I said, "Hi." If you click on this picture a larger one will appear and then you'll be able to read the article.

 

 

Hey Laurie - I'm now living in Tennessee. Nunzio was at Bonnie's wake, and Melissa told him about your site. Brought back lots of memories! Sorry to hear about your sister Kim - my sister Marion died 3 years ago. What happened to Howla? How's Michael? Joe Spina

 

Laurie

 

Hi Laurie, I always check back to your website to see if some of my former students have posted some info about their current situation etc. Thanks for setting up a new format. I still get emails from some former students and I am thrilled to receive any news from my former students. I cant believe I retired 5 years ago from teaching in Totowa. I think only one teacher is left from the 13 teachers that were hired in 1970 by Mr Juris
(superintendent). Steve Sherman (Science Teacher,1970-2003)
general46@verizon.net

 

Great job Laurie, I don't know where you found that pic of me but its great. I really miss you guys. I want you to know I think about Sal everyday, he was THE GREATEST!!!!!!! Keep up the great work.

 

 

Frankie Crisp

 

Hi Laurie,

I was moved to see your photos having been directed to your site after viewing your father's and sister's memorials. I posted a link at so you will probably see a large number of visitors. See my page at

Thanks for sharing them with us.
Peter (Dizzley)

 

Oh! That didn't post properly.

That website is dizzley.stumbleupon.com.

 

Although I was never close friends with any of the people in your photos, I knew a lot of them growing up in Totowa and graduating PVHS in 1976. I ate at Cozy's many times back in the early 1970s, but never hung out there. I vaguely remember Howla and remember seeing the gang in the smoking section at PV like Rich S. and some of the Johns. It was great viewing your album with all the history it provides. I too took many photos around that same period, but it seems like all were of inanimate objects as I was too uncomfortable taking pictures of people for some reason. I wish now that I had. Sorry to hear about all of your losses. I have a few, but no where near your experiences. Good luck, Bill Sakas

 

Ok the range of emotions were across the board! Awesome website I was brought back in time. Does anyone have ant pics of Balkins 5 and dime???? Thanks Jake

 

great site, keep adding more photos , can't get enough.
jimmy

 

I grew up in Paterson (McBride Ave) Moved to Emerson when I was about 12. The pictures here are a little before my time but I know some of the people in them, I use to work at the bike shop on Union for Bruce! Actually my step father owned the bus company on Minnisink Rd. my mother and I own it now. (Station Wagon Service) I think there are some old pictures from here and around town laying around here somewhere I'll see if I can find them and I'll send them to you.
Keep up the good work
Rob Reinhardt
email: wereami881@yahoo.com

 

 

Hi Laurie, what a beautiful job you have done here. I feel so proud that all my Godchildren are so smart. (What did I have to do with it?) Ha.

I lived across the street from Totowa which was called the Totowa section of Paterson after moving from Hawthorne. I ventured into Totowa to hang out with your Mom. We had a great time and we have been friends since grammer school.

I love you and miss you. Love Aunt Jeanette

 

laurie, Hi it's mark Mauro. Son of Joseph Mauro. The owner of the Boro Lock Shop. I would like to post pictures of my father shop, along with a few word to put next to the pictures. My father store was from 1960-1987, he was the owner. I would like to see, if you could post them next to doc's pictures, in another cube. Since I spend a good part of my childhood in the building of doc's pharmancy. It would be a great horno, to be part of your this site. Also, I don't have a good photo of the building 290 Union Boulevard. Doc's pharmacy. Is ther any possibility you could make me a photo of the building, and enlargment. I would be more than happy to pay for it. Let me know.

Thanks Yours

Mark J. Mauro

 

Hi Laurie,

Your website is pretty amazing and your pictures are unreal. I found your website when searching your dads name, I am your uncle russ' grandson so i guess we are cousins. I miss your dad alot and wish i could have gotten to spend more time with him. I dont have many memories of kim but I know she was an amazing person too. I hope you are doing well and maybe one day we will see each other in the future.

craig scandone

 

Laurie

 

Excellent Website and Guest book.. I LIKE IT.
Babu

 

Hi!

Growing up in Totowa, I ended up moving to Florida. What ever happened to the Totowa Mountain? Was it ever developed?

 

lulu

 

I was introduced to your "Book" a number of years ago and am so very impressed. I moved from Paterson to Totowa, Echo Glen, when I was in 8th Grade. I'm still here in Echo Glen! Was so sad and sorry to hear of Bonnie. She and I were very good friends in 8th through early high school (PV '76). We lost close touch and I only saw her a few times in the years to follow. So sorry for your losses and all those gone. Julie O'N

still got a photo when you and the guys came out to L.A. great site                  

 

I spent most of my childhood growing up in Fair Lawn--about 2 blocks from Paterson-- (1st Grade thru HS in 1970), but all of my summers were spent in Totowa at Hickory Hill Country Club. My mother's brother (Sol Kimelheim) and wife Mabel built it in the late 50's/early 60's to the best of my recollection. Before it opened while it was being built I remember wandering around the grounds collecting arrowheads. How many of you growing up there used to find arrowheads in Totowa? Years later I used to have dreams of what I believe were glimpses of a past life as an Indian male growing up in Totowa in some distant past.....swimming in rivers in the area--living outdoors--mostly very pleasant dreams.
My parents and aunts and uncles have all passed away over the past 20-25 years, but those memories will never leave me. When I went online seeing what I could find on Google I found some prom pictures taken at Hickory Hill in the 70s, new large Pulte homes which must have been built on the site after my aunt and uncle retired (they retired in the 70's....I'm not sure when the homes were built) and sold the club with the land.
Laurie, my name is also Laurie. Glad I found your site and wonder if any of you also spent your summers at Hickory Hill in the 60's/70's......

 

Hi Laurie,
I just discovered your website. Your pictures are beautiful and you did a fantastic job of displaying them.
I grew up in Totowa on Hillside Dr....graduated from PV in 1972. I hung out at all the usual haunts...Cozys, Dairy, Pappy's and the Lantern. I also spent quite a lot of time hanging out in Frank Ramundo's basement.
It's great looking through the portraits....a few of them were really close friends of mine. Thanks!

Darlene LeoGrande (Yennie)
dleogrande@live.com

 

Hello Laurie,

I am 'little fish' from the fisher clan, and this site brings back so many memories of my family's time in Totowa. Seeing the old pics of Muskerelli, and my brother Glenn makes it all the more vivid. I was the younger crowd, or next generation, but watched all the drinking and drug use that surrounded my family and friends. I was so young, since my eldest brother is 16 years older than I. Somehow, we all managed to survive, all seven of us, and our mother is doing well. Thankyou for preserving a unique, small 70's town.

Jill

 

 

i live in hibbing mn.its good to see interest in bob d.also the small city in which he is from.good luck to you keep up the good work.terry e.

 

 

 

Thank You for all you have done here!

I grew up on Dewey Avenue, along the border of Mt. Laurel cemetary..... Memorial School Class of 1968, Passaic Valley, Class of 1972.....I realized some time ago how much the cemetary was a part of my life... I did not realize why,until I came here.... to your web site.

So many have said and it is so true, that Totowa is truely the place where Paterson buried it's dead. Laurel Grove Cemetary with it's flat graves and Chapel smack in the middle.... is a serene place, it was my play ground, my park, my athletic field.. growing up... It was where I went to contemplate my existence as a teenager... and to this day, whenever I go back to totowa, I drive through to see what has changed.... not very much...

I hung out in Balkins, later Franks, stopped into Cozy's growing up from time to time... Pauls Pizza.. The Dairy Queen(gone now), the bank on Union Blvd...I have probably been in almost every buiding in town... I grew up on Hot Dogs all-the-way at Pappy's...People today look at me like I have 3 eyes when I say I wish I could have a Dog all-the-way.

You have truely done a wonderful job preserving the feel, and the essence of that cement and wooded town that binds all of us together forever.... with a cemetary that was my park... a short cut to get to totowa road....A place where dreams were formed and lives were changed forever, a place that makes you and I brother and sister, The "gritty" ghost-filled town, with the long past, a cemetary town where there are more dead than there are alive( and it is still true today). So many times I came home from PV through West Paterson, Over what they called the tressel back then(the RT 80 Road bed over the Passaic River.... was there for about 4 years before they finished the construction and opened the road, it got the knick- name from the Errie- Lacawana train tressel that was there in the 50's and early 60's). Home through the Cemetary and over the fence along Dewey Avenue....

The cemetary was and still is the center of Totowa, the people that grew up in Totowa and lived there share a common bond, that will always be.... because Totowa is a mystery, hallowed ground... and we are all drawn to it forever. Your website gives us that opportunity when we can not make the drive....

Please add more Content, I never get tired of seeing it.

 

Hi Laurie, I was just reminiscing and decided to visit your memoir again. It is so well done. Now that I am older, my two sons, one a senior, the other a freshman in high school, I compare my parenting skills and open and flexible values to Sal. I remember one of the first times I met him, where he treated me like an equal. I also like the photos you have of Mike and Peter Beasley. Is Mike online? Please send my greetings. Thanks.

 

Hey Laurie, terrific site. What a shame about Kim. I just found out through your site. We went to Memorial together in the same grade! No matter how many cliques we had in our class of '81, (and there sure were a lot of them) I always remember her as being nice to everyone. Continued success and thanks so much for the trip down Union Boulevard!! - Joe Malzone

 

Saw your site for the fist time and fell over after seeing a picture of my brother mark, the last name is Liva. Most of the pictures of him he has a spliff in is mouth. I miss him thanks for having his picture. Rosann Liva Tallahassee

 

Laurie Giardino
Totowa Book of the Dead
www.lauriegiardino.com
email: llgg2@hotmail.com

 

I stumbled on this by way of Facebook. Wow-what memories it brought back (only good ones). Saw some friends and it made me smile. Thanks for doing this-very cool indeed! AnnaMarie Winters (Sangastiano)

 

Hey Laurie,

You probably don't remember me, Jim (Jimmy) Maltese. I use to play guitar with Steve Rigamonti alot and was in the band that played around town with Rich Shopwerth(spelling?),and Frank Flynn. Also was very close to Dave Muir and his family, eventually moving down to Florida with him and Ronny Esposito back in 79/80.

Thanks for all the memories... was also very sad to see all those who have passed on... my sincerest condolences to their families and loved ones.

The photos and illustrations are fabulous. Thanks for doing such a great job.

Sincerely,
Jimmy Maltese
LiveMusicEnt@Aol.com

 

I came across your site and just wanted to let you know how interesting it is. Your sister reminds me of me, I also wish I was born in the hippie generation, I even have the name for it. Thanks for sharing these stories!

 

Thanks for preserving our memories. My brothers Glenn and Guy Fisher both live within 10 mins. of me in Florida. We're all healthy and happy and surfing the waves as much as possible. Nice job! Joan

 

      by none on May 1st 2010, 7:33 pm

       

Your site is fantastic. I loved going through the pictures. Remembering going to Rosemarie's School of Dance, my sister working at Korvette's, working at First National Bank (of NJ at the time...then First Fidelity bank...then First Union Bank...and so on, and so on). And I had forgotten just how beautiful Howla was.

I hope people continue to send pictures.

Marie Chiaro Reenstra
(Memorial '74; PV '78)

 

 

Totowa ain't that bad . My band played the Attic in Lodi on New Year's eve 1969, and I broke my red Epiphone bass "G" string during my big bass solo. I had to get by on acting, ripped that busted string off, and flung it into the crowd.

My wife back then was real cute. Black long straight hair, good boobs, nice sexy style.( She's dead now since 1997).We had a mutual orgasm that night. If I remember correctly, its the only simultaneous mutual orgasm I ever had with anybody.

Screamin' Dakota Black

 

Hey, I signed off before giving you art, picture, or music.

_____________________________________________

 

Totowa
by Grynch on Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:18 pm

.Hi Laurie


Thank You for all you have done here!

I grew up on Dewey Avenue, along the border of Mt. Laurel cemetary..... Memorial School Class of 1968, Passaic Valley, Class of 1972.....I realized some time ago how much the cemetary was a part of my life... I did not realize why,until I came here.... to your web site.

So many have said and it is so true, that Totowa is truely the place where Paterson buried it's dead. Laurel Grove Cemetary with it's flat graves and Chapel smack in the middle.... is a serene place, it was my play ground, my park, my athletic field.. growing up... It was where I went to contemplate my existence as a teenager... and to this day, whenever I go back to totowa, I drive through to see what has changed.... not very much...

I hung out in Balkins, later Franks, stopped into Cozy's growing up from time to time... Pauls Pizza.. The Dairy Queen(gone now), the bank on Union Blvd...I have probably been in almost every buiding in town... I grew up on Hot Dogs all-the-way at Pappy's...People today look at me like I have 3 eyes when I say I wish I could have a Dog all-the-way.

You have truely done a wonderful job preserving the feel, and the essence of that cement and wooded town that binds all of us together forever.... with a cemetary that was my park... a short cut to get to totowa road....A place where dreams were formed and lives were changed forever, a place that makes you and I brother and sister, The "gritty" ghost-filled town, with the long past, a cemetary town where there are more dead than there are alive( and it is still true today). So many times I came home from PV through West Paterson, Over what they called the tressel back then(the RT 80 Road bed over the Passaic River.... was there for about 4 years before they finished the construction and opened the road, it got the knick- name from the Errie- Lacawana train tressel that was there in the 50's and early 60's). Home through the Cemetary and over the fence along Dewey Avenue....

The cemetary was and still is the center of Totowa, the people that grew up in Totowa and lived there share a common bond, that will always be.... because Totowa is a mystery, hallowed ground... and we are all drawn to it forever. Your website gives us that opportunity when we can not make the drive....

Please add more Content, I never get tired of seeing it..
Grynch
_____________________________________________________

 

Hi Laurie
by Schwartz on Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:32 am

.Hi Laurie, I was just reminiscing and decided to visit your memoir again. It is so well done. Now that I am older, my two sons, one a senior, the other a freshman in high school, I compare my parenting skills and open and flexible values to Sal. I remember one of the first times I met him, where he treated me like an equal. I also like the photos you have of Mike and Peter Beasley. Is Mike online? Please send my greetings. Thanks..
Schwartz

 

A credit to Totowa
by Scrivens on Sun Jan 10, 2010 12:13 am

.Hey Laurie, terrific site. What a shame about Kim. I just found out through your site. We went to Memorial together in the same grade! No matter how many cliques we had in our class of '81, (and there sure were a lot of them) I always remember her as being nice to everyone. Continued success and thanks so much for the trip down Union Boulevard!! - Joe Malzone.
Scrivens

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memories
by JimmyM on Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:56 pm

.Hey Laurie,

You probably don't remember me, Jim (Jimmy) Maltese. I use to play guitar with Steve Rigamonti alot and was in the band that played around town with Rich Shopwerth(spelling?),and Frank Flynn. Also was very close to Dave Muir and his family, eventually moving down to Florida with him and Ronny Esposito back in 79/80.

Thanks for all the memories... was also very sad to see all those who have passed on... my sincerest condolences to their families and loved ones.

The photos and illustrations are fabulous. Thanks for doing such a great job.

Sincerely,
Jimmy Maltese
LiveMusicEnt@Aol.com.
JimmyM
_________________________

 

Re: Totowa Book of the Dead Guest Book
by Skye on Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:24 pm

.I came across your site and just wanted to let you know how interesting it is. Your sister reminds me of me, I also wish I was born in the hippie generation, I even have the name for it. Thanks for sharing these stories!.
Skye
_______________________________

 

Fantastic trip back
by JoanFish on Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:03 pm

.Thanks for preserving our memories. My brothers Glenn and Guy Fisher both live within 10 mins. of me in Florida. We're all healthy and happy and surfing the waves as much as possible. Nice job! Joan.
JoanFish
____________________________

 

 

.


none
by none on Sat May 01, 2010 8:33 pm

.hi.
none
__________________________________

 

Fantastic!
by Marie on Sun May 23, 2010 11:24 pm

.Your site is fantastic. I loved going through the pictures. Remembering going to Rosemarie's School of Dance, my sister working at Korvette's, working at First National Bank (of NJ at the time...then First Fidelity bank...then First Union Bank...and so on, and so on). And I had forgotten just how beautiful Howla was.

I hope people continue to send pictures.

Marie Chiaro Reenstra
(Memorial '74; PV '78).
Marie
________________________

 

Great website
by Patti O on Fri May 28, 2010 10:02 am

.Laurie,
so many fond memories of hanging at washington park, murphs, campus road, cozys...loved the pics...all the parties, moskies punch..friend of mine just called me over to view...we were all so young and innocent then...well maybe not innocent but young!
never forget those days...and all those we lost along the way, especially kenny, pat, chip, bees, and all the others who made Totowa great!
Keep up the good work!
Pat.
Patti O
______________________________

 

 

addenda music stopped...there wasnt a sound....
by Harrydog Yesterday at 1:34 pm

.Hey, I signed off before giving you art, picture, or music.

Link to: http://shawbiography.blogspot.com/

Or view: http://click2.info/2167

Or listen to: http://click2.info/2168

Harrydog1b@hotmail.com

Or view:

Or listen to:

Harrydog1b@hotmail.com

 

 

Hi Laurie, it's Lisa Oliva (your back yard neighbor) my cousin Joey (Anthony Santini's son) showed me this website. Love your pictures

 

______________
Laurie Giardino
Totowa Book of the Dead
www.lauriegiardino.com
email: llgg2@hotmail.com

I found this site by accident and was bowled over. The memories came flooding back. Johnny Diauto and I were friends, Ray Blasi and I were in a band together. It was not unusual to find Danny Smith sleeping on our couch in the morning when he got kicked out of his house, as we never locked any of the doors. Later, when Danny held up a gas station he hid the gun in Bob Currelli's car and me, Bob and George Lucino took the rap for it when we got busted for weed coming off reefer road onto Rt 46. There are so many special places and memories of Totowa that unless you lived there you'll never understand. Thank you for this web site, and is the book out?
Frank Avolio
favolio@cfl.rr.com

 

This site brings back great memories of growing up in Totowa. I wish i could have one all the way from Pappy's right about now.

Tom Kollar
tommybgood424@aol.com

 

Laurie,
Great website. I grew up in Totowa from 1962 to 1983. St. James class of '73, Don Bosco Tech '77. I will always be proud to be from Totowa.

Mike Drummy

 

Laurie,
Just stumbled on this website, it brings back great memories for me, although i knew some of these kids from washington park and memorial school, I really lost touch when I went to pv. I graduated pv in 75 and left totowa in 1980, and my mom left in 2000. havent been back since , Plan to go to the 74,75,76 reunion next May! thanks again for all the great pics!
Sue Brugger
sbagienski@comcast.net

 

Who would have known that Totowa was in Guiness? Thanks for the narrative and the great picures.
Recently we went to my husband's PV 50th high school reunion. He lived in Totowa until he was 22 when he moved to California. He has teased me for years about growing up in a southern California suburb, but never again.
PS My father's grandparents immigrated from Italy to San Francisco. God bless my ancestors for this decision.

 

I just found this site, I grew up in Totowa on Sandra drive,
I miss a lot of my old friends there, I see some once in the while..Dave, Jeff, Paul....Call me you guys....
Marty Passed away. a few years ago...
Ray passed away also
Mark passed away also...
we were all children of the pool ...That magic place till they took away our woods and put up houses
How about the grassy road.
The streem we all spent to much time in...
or Mrs Suttons pool...Jeff and his good looking sisters...
wow thanks for this site.....Robert Messick BMWrmGreatDanes.com-----------------
I live in North West New Jersey Now I have a Farm with a hydro electric plant I built myself...12.5 KW
I come to Totowa often to see the best DR in the world DR Mike Fitzgearld.....Truly a Blessing.........

 

Love the B&W photos...now I know what I should have done back in Jersey City when I had my own darkroom. Very well done. Never lived in Totowa, but I can appreciate it.

 

michael marszalek 181 gordon ave. lived in totowa 1958 to 1972
i'm sure the totowa police remember me. went in army at 17 in 1972. live in nashville,tn. went to memorial k - 8th grade.
pictures are cool but not every body was a pot head in totowa.

 

Hi Laur,
Site looks great. I see you've updated it.
I'm seein the back of Mayor Cherba's Head?
on all the posts. Good ol' Sam

 

i'm from LF but i love the pictures. i remember driving around and around the elk with jimmy castiglione, and huge touch football games in laurel grove every sunday in the fall. my dad's in that cemetery now. thanks, love it.

 

Laurie, I always look at your site it's so nostalgic in many ways. How's things in NY? Maybe we will get to see you around St. Patricks day. Peace. Ricky Cosmillo

 

Hi Laurie,
My name is Ruth Ann Scheck. I have lived in Totowa all my life and have no intentions of leaving. My husband and I were looking at all the pictures. We both know(knew) alot of the people on your site. It brought back memories of growing up in Totowa. My husband especially liked seeing the picture of his brother Michael Scheck. Michael passed away 3 years ago. We miss him alot. If I am able to, I am going to email you a few pictures of Michael.
Thank you for having this site. Hope you will be updating it, so that we can walk down memory lane again.

Ruth Ann Scheck

 

Sorry Laurie,
I forgot to give you my email address.
mnorm114542@aol.com

Thanks again

Ruth Ann Scheck

PS: My maiden name was Sauter not sure if you remember that name or not.

 

I bounced to this site from a railroad forum; you've got pictures of the Patterson "high bridge" on here. But I enjoyed the Hibbing visit a lot!

 

Dear Laurie,
I enjoyed the vintage pictures of the Boro. They brought back many fond memories .I was born and raised there . I was surprised to see the Van Allen-Garretson house photo in the collection. I have the original taken about 1895. My grandfather, John Garretson, is on his pony. The others in the photo are his mother, sister, and a hired hand holding a horse. I'm surprised it printed so well, since the original is very faded .Nice work. An aunt and cousins still live in the area.
Keep up the ongoing saga!
Maureen Daly Jeter

 

Laurie Giardino
Totowa Book of the Dead
www.lauriegiardino.com
email: llgg2@hotmail.com

 

I Know Who The Funny Totowa artist Was !

 

Sal was one of my classmates @ Paterson Technical & Vocational High School (51-55). I remember him as a friend to everyone and very family oriented.

I recently received an email about unusual grave markers and saw one of a great light bulb with a familure name on it. I decided to check into it and went online, found this web site, and decided to leave a response.

I'm sorry to hear of Sal's early demise but I'm sure he was truely blessed with family and friends and lived his dream.

Friends are forever

Anthony "Dave" DiCarlo

 

 

I'm not sure my comments belong here due to the fact that they refer to a more current time. OK, who am I kidding, I lived there back in 1994, '95 era (not so current- LOL). I wish I had a better memory to give names of businesses and whatnot, but we lived on Lincoln Ave which was off Union Blvd. I'm sure it's still there today.

There was a firestation on Lincoln and a small corner store with a deli. Yum! At Halloween we competed with that small firestation as I guess the fire engine pulling out of the station and sounding it's siren was a big draw for the neighborhood kids. But once we set up our Halloween yard haunt, it was all over for the fire truck! We had mini vans loaded with folks driving out to see our set up after the first year we were there. It was a lot of fun! The quiet senior lady who lived across the street in the "round" house and who normally only shuffled around her porch, welcomed us to the neighborhood and seemed to enjoy the commotion. God Bless her, she must be in Heaven by now.

Our favorite bank of all time was on Union called Lakeview Savings and Loan. Friendly folks, great customer service, they had a great sense of humor and never made a mistake with our money. Wish we still banked there!

The other thing I miss is Garret Mountain and Lambert Castle. Absolutely lovely. Ahhh, Totowa! My country uncle was frightened to the core when he came to visit and we drove past Clifton and saw the NYC skyline in the distance (we had to get off the highway and turn around so he wouldn't freak out!) and then we drove home thru Paterson where "all those roofs" scared him even more! Waaay too close to the big city for him.

Nice website- thanks for the memories!

 

I enjoyed your photo documentary of Hibbing, having been born there and being a huge long-time Dylan fan. It hasn't changed much since '87, but no Mary's Cafe or Snyder Drug They had a great showing a couple years back of Dylan memorabilia at the Minnesota Discovery Center, formerly called the "Iron Range Interpretative Center" and then "Iron World." There was a comment wall for visitors to post their thoughts, and I was touched by the sentiments of visitors from all over the world who came to Hibbing because of the way Dylan's work had affected their lives.

Glad you enjoyed my home town!

PS You now have to see Target Field, pretty cool ball park right in downtown Mpls!

 

 

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