Paul Pirrotta

Courage and Sacrifice Paul Pirrotta

Italian immigrants who began arriving in Hartford in the 1860's endured and overcame impossible living, working and social conditions, they overcame open discrimination in all aspects of daily life. Despite these enormous obstacles in the span of one generation they went from "digger of ditches to hiring people to dig ditches for them: .academic degrees are not uncommon among Italians here". They had a simple formula: work kard, save money, buy properties and educate their children. Those of us who immigrated to Hartford in the following decades owe them an eternal debt of gratitude. Their success is a testimonial to the idea of a melting pot that is America !