Badia Family Collection
Title
Badia Family Collection
Subject
Italian-American, Letters, Second World War, 1943-1945
Description
Danny Badia, whose full name was Dante Alighiero Badia, was born on April 14, 1922 and died in 2006. His father, Angelo Badia was born on January 28, 1888 in Barisciano, a town in the province of L'Aquila (Abruzzi). His mother Laurina Badia, née Buccilli, was born January 1, 1899 in Tocco da Casauria, a town in the Province of Pescara (Abruzzi). Angelo and Laurina immigrated to the United States and settled in Bellaire, Ohio, where they got married in 1917. Successively, they moved to Detroit, Michigan, where they both died, respectively in 1962 and 1984.
Danny had two olders sisters and a younger brother: Orienta Christina (December 25, 1918), Bambina Aurelia (born on October 8, 1920), and Hiram Sylvester Julius (August 1, 1937).
Leona Badia, née De Nardo was born on June 18, 1923, in Bellaire, Ohio, and died on May 18, 2017. Her parents, Giovanni and Maria De Nardo were from Abruzzi too.
Danny and Leona got married on January 15, 1944, and celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary before Danny passed away.
Danny, like any other young boy of his age, enrolled in the army during the Second World War and he worked as a cook. He changed many camps through the years: he was in Camp Van Dorn, Camp Wolter, Camp Joseph Robinson and then he even traveled overseas.
He documented his life in the army through his letters to Leona, to whom he wrote passionate reports on his experience far from home. An interesting aspect of the Collection is that, in addition to the letters that Danny sent to Leona, it also hosts her replies, which Danny kept with him for the whole time and then brought back with him when he came home.
Message from Dan L. Badia, son of Danny and Leona (01.16.2021) to Cousin Patricia Badia, donor of the letters.
Patty I wanted to thank you for the wonderful job and effort and passion you have put into getting these letters published it was almost as if they were still alive and I could sense what they were feeling at the time I thank you thank you thank you for your effort and devotion I really really enjoyed them love you much. Your cousin Dan
Creator
Danny Badia, Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Source
All the letters present in this collection come from the private collection of Patricia Badia-Johnsonn, who decided to share them with the Italian Program of the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Comparative Literature at Florida Atlantic University.
Publisher
Program of Italian of the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Comparative Literature, Florida Atlantic University
Date
1938-1945
Contributor
Domenica Diraviam, Vincenza Iadevaia, Viviana Pezzullo, Federico Tiberini, Dr. Ilaria Serra
Rights
Patricia Badia-Johnsonn holds the rights over the resources in this collection.
Format
Paper
Language
en, it
Type
Handwritten and typed letters
Identifier
Badia Family Collection
Coverage
US, 1938-1945
Collection Items
January 5, 1943. Letter from Rose Canestrato to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Rose fills Leona in on what she received for her birthday and Christmas from her honey, and she asks Leona how she is doing.
January 10, 1943. Letter from Danny Badia to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Danny's letter starts off reassuring that if she moves to Detroit she would get a good job and like it. He mentions Mimi, Mario, Emil, Louie, and her brother Bob. He is excited that she will be coming down to Detroit, especially since he will be…
January 17, 1943. Letter from Danny Badia to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Danny suggests that Leona has a one-track mind because she is unwavering in her decisions. He says he will try to be fair with her: she can come to Detroit when she is ready, set the engagement, pick the ring, and they will be married when she is…
January 17, 1943. Letter from Louise Battista to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Louise apologizes for not answering her mail promptly. She points out that her sister writes to 10 men in the service and that she only writes to 5. One of them had gone overseas and she had not heard form in 2 months. When she encountered his mother…
January 27, 1943. Letter from Rosina De Luca to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Rosina inquires about the flood and encourages Leona to come to Detroit. It would be in Leona's best interest in order to spend time with Danny since he may leave for the army like Dominick Celestine. She asks about Mimi, Jean, and Joe.
February 3, 1943. Letter from Fray De Nardo to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Fray writes to request that Leona ship the waffle iron (pizzelle iron) to her since her mother is staying with her in Detroit.
February 3, 1943. Letter from Amelia Zaccagnini to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
The letter is two-sided; one for Leona from her cousin asking her to come to Buffalo and be her confirmation sponsor, and the other for Johnny (nicknamed Moonshine). There is a short update on her school progress, passing from 7B to 7A and then best…
February 9, 1943. Letter from Danny Badia to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
The letter from Danny was hand delivered by Paul Perfetti. Danny continues to question why Leona will not move to Detroit especially since her mother is there. How much longer will she have him suffer? He jokes that he is being a good boy and that…
February 8, 1943. Letter from Emelio De Nardo to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Emelio updates about work and the family. He is working 6 days a week. Fray is feeling better again. Mother and Matilda are busy with house work. He tells her to stop writing and come there. She can earn well ($50-60 per week). If she has no…
February 10, 1943. Letter from Bob Secontine to Leona Badia, née De Nardo
Bob informs Leona that he won't be able to keep their plans for the end of the month because Della is getting married. He lets her know that he has seen Danny and reports how good of a boyfriend he is. He went ot bed at 9:30. He refrains from sharing…