Person Page - 1

     Norbert Raymond Bankert was born on 21 February 1951 in Utica, Oneida Co., New York.¹ He was the son of Norbert Francis Bankert Jr. and Catherine Jane Lange. He married, at age 27, Esther Ann Graber, age 28, daughter of Hugh Graber Jr. and Justine Ciannamea, on 17 February 1979 in St. Augustines RC Church, Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York, married by an unknown person , the grooms cousin.²
     
Religion/Church: in 1998 in St. Pauls RC Church, Whitesboro, New York, Catholic.
Military Service: between 1970 and 1972 US Army, Vietnam, Bronze Star, 101'st Airborne Division, 501'st Signal Battalion.
Medical: Multiple Sclerosis.
Occupation: Brick and Concrete Mason, Home builder.

     Esther Ann Graber was born on 3 October 1950 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. She was the daughter of Hugh Graber Jr. and Justine Ciannamea. She married, at age 28, Norbert Raymond Bankert, age 27, son of Norbert Francis Bankert Jr. and Catherine Jane Lange, on 17 February 1979 in St. Augustines RC Church, Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York, married by an unknown person , the grooms cousin.¹
     
Education: PhD. Education, State University of New York at Albany, 1994; MS Nursing Education, New York University, 1975; BS Nursing, Mount Saint Mary 1973; AAS in Nursing, RN, Maria College, 1970.

Occupation: Dean, School of Nursing and Health Systems, State University of New York Institute of Technology (SUNYIT), Utica, NY.

Esther's SUNYIT homepage

     Norbert Raymond Bankert II is the son of Norbert Raymond Bankert and Esther Ann Graber.
            Education: BS Civil Engineering, Clarkson University, 2004

     Justine Ann Bankert is the daughter of Norbert Raymond Bankert and Esther Ann Graber.
            Education: BS in Psychology, Clarkson University, 2003

     Amy Elizabeth Bankert is the daughter of Norbert Raymond Bankert and Esther Ann Graber.
            Education: RN, AAS Nursing, MVCC, 2005

     Denise Ann Bankert is the daughter of Norbert Raymond Bankert and Esther Ann Graber.
            Education: BS Natural Science, Juniata College, 2007

     John Ryan Bankert is the son of Norbert Raymond Bankert and Esther Ann Graber.

     Norbert Francis Bankert Jr. was born on 9 October 1927 in Utica, Oneida Co., New York. He was the son of Norbert Francis Bankert Sr. and Mary Regina Roach. He married, at age 22, Catherine Jane Lange, age 22, daughter of Charles Henry Lange and Mary Frances Messenger, on 11 February 1950 in St. Francis de Sales RC Church, Utica, New York.¹ He died on 16 April 1985 in Utica, Oneida Co., New York, at age 57 of lung cancer. He was buried in Mount Olivet cemetery, Whitesboro, New York.
     
Religion/Church: in St. Joseph's RC Church, Utica, New York.
Occupation: Accountant.
Medical: lung cancer.
Military Service: in 1945 USN, WW II.

Learned the trade of butcher as a teenager at Huther's Market. Norb later worked as an accountant at G.E. Univac and Hamilton Digital Control.

     Catherine Jane Lange was born on 21 December 1927 in Utica, Oneida Co., New York.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Henry Lange and Mary Frances Messenger. She married, at age 22, Norbert Francis Bankert Jr., age 22, son of Norbert Francis Bankert Sr. and Mary Regina Roach, on 11 February 1950 in St. Francis de Sales RC Church, Utica, New York.² She died on 3 January 2006 in Albany, New York, at age 78.
     
Religion/Church: in St. Francis de Sales RC Church.
Occupation: Registered Nurse.

     Denise Ann Bankert was born on 28 March 1952 in Utica, Oneida Co., New York. She was the daughter of Norbert Francis Bankert Jr. and Catherine Jane Lange. She married, at age 23, Gary Puleo, son of Constantine F. Puleo and Alice Serway, on 30 May 1975 in St. Anthony's RC Church, Chadwicks, New York. She died on 3 March 1984 in Utica, Oneida Co., New York, at age 31 of breast cancer. She was buried in Calvary Catholic cemetery, Utica, New York.

     Donna Marie Bankert is the daughter of Norbert Francis Bankert Jr. and Catherine Jane Lange. She married John Daniel Abbruzzese, son of Joseph Abbruzzese and Ellen Conklin, on 3 April 1976 in St. Peter's RC Church, Utica, New York.

     Catherine Mary Bankert is the daughter of Norbert Francis Bankert Jr. and Catherine Jane Lange. She married Michael Casab, son of Joseph Harris Casab and Julia Baker, on 16 April 1977 in St. Mary's Church, Utica, New York.

     Patricia Amy Bankert is the daughter of Norbert Francis Bankert Jr. and Catherine Jane Lange. She married Carl Warren Keller, son of Hugo Keller and Elizabeth Urban, on 25 April 1987 in St. Joseph - St. Patrick RC Church, Utica, New York.

     Gary Puleo is the son of Constantine F. Puleo and Alice Serway. He married Denise Ann Bankert, age 23, daughter of Norbert Francis Bankert Jr. and Catherine Jane Lange, on 30 May 1975 in St. Anthony's RC Church, Chadwicks, New York. He married Sharon Burke.

     Melissa Puleo is the daughter of Gary Puleo and Denise Ann Bankert. She married Stephen Weaver.

     Michelle Puleo is the daughter of Gary Puleo and Denise Ann Bankert. She married James Obrian on 2 September 2006 in Old Forge, New York.

     Andrea Puleo is the daughter of Gary Puleo and Denise Ann Bankert.

     Norbert Francis Bankert Sr. was born on 31 January 1892 in Utica, Oneida Co., New York.¹ He was the son of Anton Bankert and Helen M. Hamberger. He was baptized on 21 February 1892 in St. Joseph's RC Church, Utica, New York, Godparents were Mary Hamberger and Frank Bankert.² He married, at age 30, Mary Regina Roach, age 29, daughter of John William Roach and Anna Reynolds, on 4 October 1922 in St. Johns RC Church, Utica, New York, married by Father (__?__) Bogan, witnessed by Anthony George Bankert and Mary Royal. He died on 26 April 1969 in the Veterans Hospital, Canandaigua, New York, at age 77.³ He was buried in St. Agnes cemetery (stone), from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica, New York.
     
Medical: Epilepsy.
Religion/Church: Roman Catholic.
Occupation: Ran the Bankert Haberdashery at Elizabeth and Charlotte St with his brother Albert, Retired from Utica Cutlery.
Hobbies/Interests: Utica Council Knights of Columbus and its 4'th degree Assembly; Nocturnal Adoration Society; American Legion, Charles Adrean Post.
Military Service: circa 1917 Pvt. US Army, WW I, 48th Base Hospital, France.

     Norb, like his father, had a more serious disposition. He served in France in World War I, and, as a member of a medical unit, was witness to the gruesome effects of the battles of France in that war. He worked as a tailor and at one time owned the Bankert Haberdashery at Elizabeth and Charlotte St. with his brother, Albert. The business ended in failure and Norb later worked for Utica Cutlery from where he retired in 1953. Norb was active in the community and belonged to the Nocturnal Adoration Society, Charles Adrean American Legion Post, and the Knights of Columbus. He suffered from epilepsy and, due to his increasing problems with the disease, he resided in his later years in the Veterans home at Canandaigua, NY, near the home of his youngest son, Bill, who then resided in Newark, NY.
     In 1922 Norb married Mary Roach. Mary was an energetic woman and brought her Irish sense of humor into the more serious German family. At a time when schooling was not considered essential for a girl, Mary not only finished high school, but also attended classes at the Utica School of Commerce. Mary, my grandmother, died when I was 3 ½ and my memories of her are vague and tend to revolve around home made cookies, but I do recall the day I asked if we could go to grammas house and my father informed me of her death. Even at that young age I remember that there was a profound feeling of loss.
     My older cousins fondly recollect playing with our grandmother as just another one of the kids, rolling around on the floor and crawling under table with them. Among adults, Mary was known for her compassion, caring, and generosity to anyone who might need it. Today, nearly fifty years after her death, bringing up her name with those who might remember her still brings comments of praise for her character, sense of humor, compassion and generosity.

     Mary Regina Roach was born on 3 October 1893 in Camden, New York.¹ She was the daughter of John William Roach and Anna Reynolds. She married, at age 29, Norbert Francis Bankert Sr., age 30, son of Anton Bankert and Helen M. Hamberger, on 4 October 1922 in St. Johns RC Church, Utica, New York, married by Father (__?__) Bogan, witnessed by Anthony George Bankert and Mary Royal. She died on 12 July 1954 in Utica, Oneida Co., New York, at age 60 of ovarian cancer.² She was buried in St. Agnes cemetery.
     
Religion/Church: in St. Francis de Sales RC Church.
Hobbies/Interests: St. Francis Holy Rosary Society.

     Hugh Graber Jr. was born on 12 June 1921 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. He was the son of Hugh Graber Sr. and Anna Mae Broderick. He married, at age 25, Justine Ciannamea, age 24, daughter of Giuseppe Ciannamea and Pasqua Francese, on 14 July 1946 in St. Anthony's RC Church, Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. He died on 27 January 1995 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York, at age 73 of a heart attack.
     
Religion/Church: Roman Catholic.
Occupation: US Post Office.
Military Service: US Army, WW II.

     Hugh Graber Sr. was born in August 1899 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. He was the son of John Graber and Ellen A. Galvin. He married Anna Mae Broderick, daughter of John J. Broderick and Ellen A. Phelan, in 1914 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York, (is this the Anna M. Broderick m. 25 June 1916 Schenectady, NY?). He died on 18 March 1937 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York, at age 37.
     
Occupation: in 1920 Trimmer at a collar factory.

From at least 1924-1932, Hugh is listed as a collar-turner at Cluetts in Troy. By 1938, Ann is listed as a widow living at 2626 5'th ave.
Notes for Hugh F. Graber , Sr.:
From at least 1924-1932, Hugh is listed as a collar-turner at Cluetts in Troy. By 1938, Ann is listed as a widow living at 2626 5th Ave.


Death Notice - Hugh Graber

Hugh Graber died from double pneumonia. He was getting better and was supposed to come home from the hospital the following day. His sister, Ann (Graber) Neilsen said she went to the hospital to visit him and he told her to feel his heart because it was racing. He told her he didn't think he was going to make it through the night. He did end up dying that night.

DEATH NOTICE: 3/18/1937

Troy Hospital, March 18, 1937, Hugh F. Graber, husband of Anna Broderick, father of Hugh Jr., John, Howard, Harold, Paul and Rose Mary Graber, son of Ellen Galvin and John Graber, brother of Mrs. Mary Seguin, Mrs. John Stebbins, Mrs. Christian Nielsen, Edward and John Graber.
Funeral from the residence, 2626 Fifth Ave. Saturday morning at 9 O'clock where a requiem high mass will be sung. Friends are invited to attend, and may call Friday evening.

OBITUARY

Funeral of Hugh F. Graber

The funeral of Hugh F. Graber was held this morning from the residence at 2626 Fifth Avenue and later from St. Peter's church where a requiem high mass was sung by Rev. Leo Donovan Rev. William Walsh was seated in the sanctuary. Leo McCarthey presided at the organ. The bearers were John J. and Edward J. Graber, Martin F. and Patrick Broderick, Ernest Buehler and Edward P. Ryan. Interment was in St. Mary's cemetery.

     Anna Mae Broderick was born in October 1898 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. She was the daughter of John J. Broderick and Ellen A. Phelan. She married (1) Hugh Graber Sr., son of John Graber and Ellen A. Galvin, in 1914 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York; (is this the Anna M. Broderick m. 25 June 1916 Schenectady, NY?). She married (2) Francis Andrews after 1937. She died on 9 September 1969 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York, at age 70.

     Francis Andrews was born on 6 December 1895. He married Anna Mae Broderick, daughter of John J. Broderick and Ellen A. Phelan, after 1937. He died in October 1967 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York, at age 71.

     Justine Ciannamea was born on 13 February 1922 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York. She was the daughter of Giuseppe Ciannamea and Pasqua Francese. She married, at age 24, Hugh Graber Jr., age 25, son of Hugh Graber Sr. and Anna Mae Broderick, on 14 July 1946 in St. Anthony's RC Church, Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York.

     Giuseppe Ciannamea was born on 8 September 1889 in Molfetta, Italy. He was the son of Nicholas Ciannamea and Lucretia Tarallo. He married Pasqua Francese, daughter of Frank Francese and Giustina Bennette, in Molfetta. He died on 7 August 1964 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., New York, at age 74.
     
Immigration: on 11 June 1920, arrived at Ellis Island on the "Patria" which had embarked at Naples.
Military Service: in 1917 WW I, Sailor in the Italian Navy.

     Before World War I members of the Ciannamea, Francese, and Bennette families, of Molfetta, Italy, began emigrating to the United States. Like many of their Molfetta neighbors, the majority ended up in Hoboken, New Jersey. After World War I, Italy was in turmoil as Communists and Socialists vied for power along with an emerging Fascist group under Benito Mussolini. The economy suffered immensely and the country was ripe for political upheaval.
     Giuseppe Ciannamea had served his country in the Italian Navy in World War I, but the aftermath of the war brought concern for the future of his young family. Like many of his kinsmen, he considered leaving Italy. Family lore claims that Giuseppe favored moving his young family to Russia, where Lenin's Peoples Revolution would offer free education to his children. His wife, Pasqua, favored emigration to the United States, where her brothers, Frank and Felix, had resided since 1913. Pasqua would win this argument.
     On May 29'th, 1920, Giuseppe, at age 30, departed from Naples on the ship "Patria" and landed at Ellis Island thirteen days later, on June 11'th. Traveling with him were his sister-in-law, Maria Domenica (Francese) Annese, and her husband, Nicholas and son, Giuseppe, also Georgio Parvana, a Francese cousin. Giuseppe's wife, Pasqua Francese, at age 28, would arrive the following fall on the ship "Providence", arriving at Ellis Island on October 12'th. Traveling with her was Lucretia Silvestri, age 32, daughter of Stefano Silvestri, who was "promised to Francesco Francese", Pasqua's brother. Upon their arrival, they proceeded to Troy, New York, where Frank and Felix Francese had taken up residence at 55 Hill St.
     By the time of their emigration in 1920, Giuseppe and Pasqua had born two children. The eldest, Lucretia, born in 1915, was now five and her younger brother, Mario, was two. Lucretia and Mario were left in Italy in the care of their widowed grandmother, Giustina (Bennette) Francese, while Giuseppe and Pasqua settled in to their new surroundings. In 1922 their first American born child arrived and was named after her grandmother, Giustina (Justine). The following year, in 1923, news arrived that Mario had died of diarrhea, at age five. The news was especially hard on Pasqua who sent her husband back to Italy to bring back their eldest daughter, Lucretia. Giuseppe and Lucretia arrived in New York on February 17, 1924 on the ship "Conte Rosso" (torpedoed and sunk by a British submarine in 1941). Family history say's that Pasqua's mother, Giustina (Bennette) Francese, also came back with Giuseppe and his daughter, however, I could not locate her name on the ship manifest. It may be that she arrived on the "Conte Rosso", or followed shortly thereafter.
     Giuseppe and Pasqua lived the rest of their lives in Troy. Of the three children born in Italy, and seven born in America, eight would live into adulthood and beyond. Giuseppe and Pasqua both lived well into their seventies. Long enough to witness the fruits of their sacrifice and hard work.