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present this website about Isca Sullo Ionio. Though I am not from Isca, it is certainly my
second home. My experience with Isca and the many wonderful people from this beautiful
town, began in 1995 when I met my wife, Rosa. My wife is from Isca and her parents still
live there today. I was born and raised in America and my ancestry is German and Italian.
My fathers family arrived here in America in 1733, from Germany. On my mothers side,
both of my grandparents arrived from Caronia, Sicily; my grandfather arriving in 1906 and
my grandmother in 1928.
I am very proud my ancestry, both Italian and German. But, growing up with my Italian
Grandparents always living with us, from early childhood, my brothers, my sister and I
always thought we were just Italian. My grandmother was a woman of great pride and
worked hard to learn the English language and become an American citizen. But, at the
same time she did not forget her roots, as she taught my mother to speak Italian. Every
night the family would sit down together for dinner and discuss our day. Every Sunday
was started with Church, followed by an American style breakfast cooked by dad and by
mid-afternoon, it was time for us to eat Pasta and Meatballs. I ate in about ten minutes,
what my mother spent all day cooking. When I got off the school bus, I could smell my
Grandmother Caterina's Sicilian Pizza baking in the oven. My Grandfather Sebastiano
would sing Opera in the house, his favorite was Enrico Caruso.
The Holidays were always special and so was the food too, with traditional Italian Cookies
and Cannoli for Christmas. For Easter, my Grandmother baked biscotti, some shaped into
animals or dolls, with hard boiled eggs in the middle. This sense of family and tradition
stayed with me and I always hoped I would meet someone who felt the same way and
wanted the same type of life. One day in May 1995, a customer of mine asked if I would
join him in going to a chapter meeting of an Italian Amerian Organization, called Filitalia. I
accepted and not only did I enjoy myself, but I signed up to be a member that evening. At
the meeting, I sat next to Dr. Pasquale Nestico, the President of Filitalia, who was from a
small town in Calabria, called Isca Sullo Ionio. Within a few short months, I became a
member of the South Jersey Board of Directors for Filitalia.
By the end of August of 1995, a South Philadelphia Filitalia member named Rosetta, who
was also from Isca, told me she would like to introduce me to someone from her home
town of Isca, her name was Rosa. But, she said Rosa would not return from Italy until
September. In September, another friend named Vicky, from the South Jersey Chapter
said she wanted to introduce me to her cousin, who was from Isca Sullo Ionio. She invited
me to a family dinner, where I met her cousin Rosa, the same girl Rosetta from South
Philadelphia was trying to introduce me to. Well, both of these ladies must have known
something, as Rosa and I were always together from that point on. We were married in
1997. In Philadelphia, my wife has many friends and cousins from Isca living there.
Everyone is like family, as they are all connected to their past and the town they all know
as Isca. I was impressed with their close knit community. It was not until December 1997,
when I finally visited this place "Isca" did I fully understand why. It was the same in Isca,
as Rosa's husband, townspeople accepted me as one of their own. Something I will never
forget.
Since that first trip in 1997, we returned in 2000, 2004 and the 2006 trip in August. I walk
around Isca as if I were a local, until I begin snapping pictures of everything in sight, like a
tourist and always asking questions about the history of the town and the people. As a
Family Historian and Amateur Genealogist, I began to research my wifes family history. In
doing so, I came to realize that there were so many people out there seeking information
about there Grandparents and Great Grandparents town of Isca Sullo Ionio. Whenever I
could, I tried to offer some assistance. There just was very little info out there on the
internet about this beautiful little town on the Ionion Sea. I thought to myself, Isca has been
very good to me, starting with my wife and now 2 beautiful children and a huge extended
family here in America and Isca. I felt, It would be nice to give something back. The idea for
this site was born. It is my hope to bring back descendants of Isca to their ancestors
homeland, through photos and stories found on this site. I also hope fiends in Isca will
enjoy the site too and hope to introduce the town to anyone interested in the Land of
Calabria.
Remember, this site is just in its infancy stages, please check back often as more photos
and stories are added. Thank you for visiting and I hope to see in Isca soon. If you can't
make it to Isca, consider bringing the family to the San Marziale Festival in Philadelphia,
held every year in May. See you then!
Thanks again,
David Faust.
place to sleep could there be, then under the
olive tree at Carrera, above the town of Isca.
back from Pantaleo
like? A Quattro Stagione.