HELP IS ON THE WAY!
THE FAMILY!
Several of Charlie's brothers and sisters have large families or live far away. Grandma Jacobs, Aunt Elsie and Uncle Edward moved to Arizona. Family members were not in a position to provide Charlie with day to day support.
But Charlie and his brother Walter had always been close and even with nine children of their own, Walter and Dolores were relentless in helping Charlie and the children carry on. Grandpa Finnigan and Aunt Mae provide loving support on weekly visits to their home on Galatin Ave and frequent visits to 499 Roycroft. Grandpa Jacobs often picks up the children from school in his model A Ford and visits 499 on a regular basis to pickup frames that Charlie makes for his paintings.
STELLA NIAGARA!
Mother Ludwina, Marie's Aunt Norah, has always been welcoming and provided a destination for Sunday drives to the convent of St Francis at Stella Niagara. The children enjoyed a day at the Convent and the surrounding grounds along the Niagara River gorge. Mother rushed into the waiting room with her vail trailing behind her and swept all of of the children into her arms with hugs and kisses for everyone. She asked each one by one about their week and school... she listened intently to everyone! She made each of the children feel like they were special and their life was important to her! It was!
Father Mooney, the Pastor at Christ the King Church and School, was taken by the Finnigans from the time they joined the parish. In addition to keeping an eye on their school activities as he had alway done, he arranged to have the family join the Sisters for lunch in their private dining room. They were the envy of all the other students!
Dr. Francis Gustina, the family's doctor, has been a good friend to Charlie who often rode with him while he made evening house calls. Mary Gustina offered to babysit Paul while the rest of the family is at school. John and Ester Horan, also close friends to Charlie and Marie, insisted on regular visits and picnics with their family of eight children at their home next to Christ the King church and school. Andrew and Donna Cunningham offered care and work for the boys on their farm estate on Lebrun road in nearby Egertsville.
499 ROYCROFT BLVD!
The neighbors on Roycroft Blvd are well aware of the situation at 499 and frequently deliver cookies and candy as well as emotional support to the family. In addition, they hire the boys to cut lawns and do yard work, subscribe to the boys daily newspaper routes and purchases of the school peanut brittle sales.
In eight weeks, Jim will finish his freshman year at the Seminary of St. Joseph and Jerry will graduate from Christ the King School while Bob, Dennis, Kathleen and John will all move up a grade. It will be two years until Paul starts school and with summer vacations coming, time is of the essence in finding a way to manage the family.
