James & Emily Lewis

My paternal grandparents. Country folk. They had 11 children. She died when the youngest (Oather) was 8. He was a blacksmith & a carpenter.

Patrick & Susan Avon

My maternal grandparents. Susan was born in the Abruzzi region of Italy and came to this country as a teenager. Patrick was born in Buffalo, NY.

Paul and Donny

I am not certain who "Donny" is.

My beautiful mother

The Photo Booth

He sure looks happy!

Eleanor

Eleanor with her mother & grandmother. (early 1920's)

Yours truly

1962 I imagine. I think I've kept this sideways perspective on life!
Look at the stroller, it looks like a shopping cart, I guess plastic hadn't been invented yet.

Amish Mel

Remember the "Amish Hat"? The look was complete when he had the facial hair to match.

August, 1938

I guess this was a pre-bride picture for they were married in October of that year. One can really see the resemblance between Margaret & Paul.

Mel, Uncle Bill & Paul

I would guess that this was taken circa 1960. Wish I knew who that other person was!

The flipside

This is the flip side to yesterday's photo. They are laminated together and I keep them in a lucite frame so I can see both sides.

One of my favorite photo's

This photo sits atop my desk. It is one on my favorite's. The image is reversed. The holster for a right handed person would normally be worn on the left side of the body. I tried reversing the image (because I can do that) and it just didn't look the same to me so I left it as is.

Uncle Frank, Melvin & Paul

A very young Uncle Frank.....Melvin in his "CTS" bus driver's uniform and Paul.

Kevin & kids

Kevin & the children. I forgot about all that facial hair he used to sport. Seems like eons ago...

Mel with his Father

Not too many images remain of James Lewis. He was a blacksmith who died before I was born. He suffered a heart attack while trying to put out a fire in his shop. I always thought that was a tragic story.

50th Anniversary Celebration

How sweet.....this was the 50th Anniversary Party Celebration!

Party Time

Looking Good!

Lewis Baby

Cut off from view, handwritten on the front is "Lewis baby-Joe". The back is dated 07/28/1940, thus this is Paul. Mel looks so young, see the baby bottle & cigar in his pocket? (more about "Joe" later)

Lewis Grandparents

Meet James & Emily Lewis....Mel's parents. James was a big man, tall & strapping. Emily (who looks thrilled to be there) sadly died when the baby of the family was 8 years old.