Message received via Facebook:
June 28, 2011
Dear Mr Rugo,
I have an important correction for your family tree about Cifrinos. The REAL father of Jhon Cifrino was not Alfonso Cifrino, but Francesco Petroni (he was the boss of an important family of the same area of Cifrino's, it's possible going back until the middle age, at the moment I'm arrived until XVII century - 1650), who had a "love" affair with Anna Gallo. Was the real father, Francesco Petroni, who gave him money to leave Italy for the US. The relationship with the other part of the family was very good, and there are photos and letters sent from US to the Petroni until the 50's. My mother is a Petroni and I work for the Aurelio Petroni Foundation in San Cipriano Picentino, Salerno, Italy, a small town very close to the hometown of John Cifrino, Prepezzano - Giffoni Sei Casali, where John is still a real local hero.
Greetings,
Domenico Caterina

Naturalization petition gives his residence as 381 Hanover Street, Boston and his occupation as butcher in 1900. Says that he came to Boston in April, 1892. His birth date is given as 9 March 1878, one year off from his headstone. 1918 draft registration agrees with headstone

1903 Boston marriage record:
Cifrino, John
Age 24, a butcher, living at 5 Battery Street,
son of Alphonso Cifrino and Anna Gallo,
Marriage 9 Aug 1903, Boston,
to Consiglia Cataldo, age 20,
daughter of Antonio Cataldo and Caterina Vena.
Vol. 539, Page 160

In 1905 John Cifrino and Max Cataldo filed for bankruptcy for their grocery business in the North End.

September 1925 - resident of 16 Lingard Street, Dorchester, he sailed from Naples to New York with Massimino Cataldo who was age 59, married, naturalized in Boston in 1900, a resident of 33 Joseph Street, Medford, Massachusetts.

Once Upon A Store by William H. Marnell who worked at the Uphams Corner Market during his high school years: “One Saturday in the spring of my senior year at college John asked me what I intended to do after I graduated. I told him that I intended to be a graduate student for a year at Harvard University. “Harvard is an expensive college, isn’t it?” he asked. I agreed that Harvard was an expensive college. Tuition then was three hundred dollars a year. John tapped the pocket of his pants.
“I keep my wallet here. You just reach in and take what you need to pay the tuition at Harvard.”

Listed on May 1929 passenger list of the President Wilson sailing from Naples to Boston, age 50, with an address of 600 Columbia Road, Dorchester, Massachusetts.

May 1931 sailed from Naples to New York.
October 1932 and May 1933 sailed from Genoa to New York.
October 1934 sailed from Naples to New York.

May 1937, both John and Frank Cifrino gave the 16 Lingard Street address when returning from Naples to New York.

May 1938 passenger list has John Cifrino, age 59, sailing from Naples to New York. Naturalized Boston Circuit Court 17 Sep 1900. Gives his residence as 16 Lingard Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts. His World War II draft registration card also shows 16 Lingard Street.

REAL ESTATE HOME OF THE WEEK Hilltop hideaway
Boston Herald (MA) January 8, 1993
“The old-fashioned country atmosphere of the early 20th century is omnipresent at this secluded hilltop estate in Sudbury. Known as "Sudbury's Grande Dame," the 13-room home sits on more than eight acres that feature a four-hole golf course, stable, clubhouse, outdoor pavilion, pool and caretaker's cottage.
A narrow tree-lined lane leads up to the 60-year-old clapboard manor home, painted teal green.

Built in 1930 by John Cifrino - the original owner of the Purity Supreme grocery chain - the dwelling was furnished with imported Italian furniture and marble sculptures.

Today, many of the Italian touches - including numerous gold wall sconces and a backyard bocce court - remain.

The front entrance opens into a formal reception hall enhanced by a crystal chandelier, inlayed parquet floors and gumwood moldings and columns.

The formal 34- by 15-foot living room is impressive for its polished parquet floor, handcarved beamed ceilings and marble fireplace. Glass-paned French doors lead to a rear study as well as a small library at the front of the house. Each room is accessed through the living room.

Two sets of bay windows afford plenty of light in the 16- by 16-foot dining room. Here, elaborate wall sconces and a crystal chandelier imported from Italy bring the home back to its original grandeur.

The lower level also includes an elegant marble-floored powder room, updated kitchen with built-in wine racks, cherry cabinets and a butler's pantry and a step-down glass-enclosed 30-by 26-foot solarium with terracotta floor tiles. This large plant-filled room offers beautiful views of the backyard pool and golf course.

Homeowners interested in a basement hideaway might enjoy the lower level exercise room complete with a private sauna. Even more interesting is the hidden wine cellar, located beneath the sauna.

A grand staircase, accented by a brass pineapple finial, leads up to the second floor.

The 15- by 11-foot master bedroom is brightened by oak floors with mahogany inlays, Chinese silk screens and a corner sitting room that overlooks the golf course.

The adjoining bathroom includes a marble whirlpool tub, pedestal sink, a brightly-colored flagstone floor and an enclosed corner shower.

Two additional bedrooms - each with its own whirlpool tub - and a large corner bath complete the second level.

Before heading up to the third floor - which features two bedrooms - a screen door leads out to a large outdoor patio perfect for seasonal entertaining.”


Istituto Giovanni Cifrino
84090 Prepezzano (SA) -
Via Ausa
tel: 089 883227