From the Thursday, August 27, 1959 Potsdam Courier & Freeman:

 

Frank P. Lamanna, Shoemaker Of Norwood, Retires After 42 Yrs.

 

Norwood-Frank P. Lamanna, veteran shoemaker of Norwood, has retired from active business and has sold his shoe repair equipment to Herbert Haven of Canton.

Mr. Lamanna, who was born Feb. 20, 1887, in Matera, Italy, started as an apprentice shoemaker at the age of 14 in Matera. He eventually owned his own shop in Italy before coming to the United States. He has been repairing shoes for the Norwood people for the past forty-two years.

He migrated to this country in 1912, living in Brooklyn for a year then settled in Utica where he worked in the New York Mills. When this mill closed because of a strike, Mr. Lamanna went to Ilion, working during 1914 and 1915 at the Armory.

On Aug. 15, 1917, he moved to Norwood and established his shoe repair shop on Mechanic St. in the building known as the Marble Shop. This is the present Murray home on Mechanic St. Mr. Lamanna moved to two other locations on the same street prior to his present address at 21 Mechanic St., where he has conducted his business since 1944.

During the depression years, when the CCC camps were opened at Brasher Falls, Mr. Lamanna bid for and received the job of repairing the shoes for the workers at the CCC camps.

Mr. Lamanna, lover of music, was once active in the local talent shows produced in Norwood years ago in the old Town Hall.

He is an honorary member of the Norwood Council No. 2309 of the Knights of Columbus and of Bishop McIntegart's 4th Degree Assembly of Ogdensburg.

On Jan. 31, 1909, Mr. Lamanna and the former Anna Gonese were married in the Cathedral in Matera, Italy, in a ceremony performed by the Rev. Don Saverio Delena, The couple observed their 50th wedding anniversary this winter at a family dinner after attending mass at St. Andrews with their children.

The couple has five children, Eustace, who is associated with MidState Steel and Iron Fabrication in Utica; Joseph, employed at the Freight House at Griffith Air Force Base in Rome; Henry, Insurance agent with Federal Life and Casualty in Syracuse,; Mrs. James (Theresa) Garfola, Massena and Mrs. Bernard (Constance) Ahlfeld, Massena. They also have 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mr. and Mrs. Lamanna have sold their home on Depot St. to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Forest who will take possession in September. The Lamannas will move to Utica in October where they will establish their residence on Catherine St.

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