LEARNING MORE ABOUT OUR FAMILY HERITAGE IN RHODE ISLAND

I grew up not knowing my Dad.  It was only a few years before his death from cancer that we reunited after over 30 years apart.  I came to love him but really didn't know much about his early years growing up in Cranston, Rhode Island.  I never met my Grandfather or any of his siblings.  Never visited Rhode Island until now thanks to my Cousin Lori.  I was in Boston on a business trip and reached out to find who I could meet in Rhode Island.  Lori met us and took me to the church that helped raise my Dad.  Funny because I didn't know he went to church. Turns out he donated a stained glass window in our name.  I visited the home where he grew up and learned stories about his childhood that was surprising and enlightening.  He had a tough upbringing and left when he was only 17.  He joined the Air Force, married my Mom and had a family that included me.  My Grandfather was a Founding Member of the Cranston Portuguese Club, made his own wine and turns out was a pretty bad dude.  Highlight was meeting my Dad's sister Bella who is 93 and going strong.  My ears teared up when I saw her smile when we arrived.  Seems she knew we were family and treated us like so.  What a treat this was.  I learned so much that helped put some puzzles in my mind together, but there is so much more I need to know.  Praying I can go back with our Daughter Keli so she can meet her relatives and know more about the family.  Thank you Lori for guiding us through an incredible day in Cranston!

HOME WHERE MY DAD GREW UP IN CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND

CHURCH WHERE MY FATHER ATTENDED MASS

STAINED GLASS WINDOW AT ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH IN CRANSTON

DONATED BY DAD WITH OUR NAME AT BOTTOM RIGHT

GRANDPA CAESAR SANTOS

CRANSTON PORTUGUESE CLUB

GRANDPA CEASAR WAS FOUNDING MEMBER

GRANDPA PAST PRESIDENT OF PORTUGUESE CLUB

MY DAD (LEFT) WITH HIS BROTHER AND SISTER

CEASAR SANTOS (MIDDLE) WITH MY DAD AND FAMILY

MY DAD'S SISTER BELLA

93 AND GOING STRONG

BELLA IS STILL FUNNY AND HAPPY

MEETING COUSINS FOR THE FIRST TIME