The Frank and Anne (O'Donnell) Krebs Family

Here is a picture of Frank and Anne ( O'Donnell) Krebs with Warner (oldest) and Noel (Looks like an Imp even then, doesn't he?) and baby, Maureen.   Is this Putnam Ave?

Christmas 1947 Photo of Luke's "New" bookcases

This photo was taken at 62 Interboro Parkway, Brooklyn 7, NY to appear on our homemade photo greeting cards the Christmas of 1947.  Marty was born on Sept 10, 1947, so this is why I am certain of the year.  My mother liked a lot of color and design, didn't she?  My Dad's college friend and lifelong buddy, Nick Pascarelli, was the photographer.   "Uncle" Nick  would take our family's photos and my Dad would take photos of the Pascarelli Family who at this time in history consisted of Nick, his wife, Dorothy, Richard and Dorothy, Jr.
 A few days later,  we would develop the Photo Greeting Cards in our kitchen on the kitchen table My Dad would convert the kitchen into a dark room for this fun "developing/production" day.  I remember that activity with great fondness.   The room was dimly lit with a special yellow tone light and we were not allowed to turn on the regular lighting or the photos would be destroyed.  It was very exciting to use tongs to place the blank paper into a vat of some sort of developing chemicals and then into the next vat and see the picture gradually materialize before your very eyes.  I always thought I'd be a photographer after those experiences from my youth. 

Reflections on my Experience at the Maryknoll Affiliates 2014 Conference this past weekend

Almost Beyond My Control, Gratitude Comes Bursting Forth

These were some of the Highlights for me:

·         The most fulfilling liturgies and prayer services I’ve ever attended.  I only wish I could attend such liturgies every weekend.

·         Specific examples of love displayed by members of the Albany Chapter.  I’m so proud to be a part of you.

·         The dedication and hard work of the MAC 2014 Leadership Committees.  Thank you for giving this effort your “blood, sweat and tears”.   I must admit I felt a bit like Mary as I observed how hard Martha was working. 

·         Getting to visit with, and learn from, members who came from near and far.

·         Hearing and enjoying the beautiful Spanish language again.  I hope one day to go to Peru.   

·         For once in my life being at a conference where I couldn’t distinguish the Indians from the Chiefs.

·         An especially lovely roommate who put up with all my idiosyncrasies.

·         Having my cousin agree to be God for me just as he does in my real, everyday life.

·         Plentiful fresh fruits and vegetables, tasty food choices, homemade bread and desserts and mighty fine wine!

·         Fantastic DJ, music, and freely-supplied entertainment; even Elvis entered the building.  I felt like a teenager once again.

·         The best rendition of “Red, Red Wine” I have ever heard.  I will never forget the “Lessards in Song”.

·         A perfect map and directions for the ride home – precision that only someone of German heritage could supply!  Worth way more than $5.00 (this is a private joke)

·         Hearing “top shelf” feminine reflections (Is that the politically correct terminology?) and praying that this type of inclusion will soon reach our Parish Communities.

·         Meeting the “Mother of the Maryknoll Affiliates” face to face.   

·         Remembering Jane.

·         Learning that one of the fantastic female speakers is a fellow graduate of St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing, NY, NY.

·         Visiting the grave of my first cousin, twice removed, Mother Mary Coleman and introducing her to my new-found friend and roommate.   I’m certain my mother was happy with me.

·         The insights and information and networking and sharing and especially the love that took place this weekend will carry us on waves of the Spirit into the future, beyond horizons that we have not even dreamed of yet.

·         Being surrounded by a community of spiritual beings who share a global vision and who actively pursue bringing about the Kindom of God on earth.  What a humbling experience to witness the on-going Incarnation of Christ before my very eyes.

TJ's addresses written on back of 1913 NYPD Application

Since this is difficult to decipher, I will write out what I believe it says.
               "Years
from
1913-1914 920 Madison St
1912-1913 1027 Putnam Ave
1911 1912 446 Madison St
1910-1911 "   "  "
1909-1910- "   "     "
1908-1909 "  "  " 
1907-1908  "    "   "
1906-1907   1160 Fulton St
1905- 1907 Binghamton State Hospital
1904- 1906 Saint Joseph
          1905  Saint Joseph "

"seven years in city
Eight    "        "  state"

"at school 1892 to 1900
Resided in New York State since October 1906
"             "   "       "      City since May 1907

What I read from this information answers a question I always wondered about.   I always wondered how old was TJ when he left the farm in St. Joseph, Pa.  So I believe what he says here indicates that he left St. Joseph's and went to work at Binghamton State Hospital in Binghamton, NY in October 1906.  I doubt that he commuted from St. Joseph's to Binghamton State since it states that he lived in NY State since October 1906.  Seven months later, in May 1907, he moved to New York City and his first residence in NYC was at 1160 Fulton St.  I assume that is in Brooklyn???
Since TJ was born March 22, 1885, he was 22 years and 2 months when he moved to the NYC area.  I have no idea when his older brothers, John and Frank moved to NYC to become NYC Police Officers.  Does anyone in the family have this information?

TJ also wrote, "Wed Jan 28 1914 Took Phisical exam for Patrolman" He also has written in pencil "May 1907" and "Oct 15, 1906"

TJ's Work History -written on back of NYPD Application 1913

"1913-1914 Patrolman on Aqueduct
1912-1913 - - - - -
1911-1912  - - - - -
1910-1911  - - - - -
1909 1910 7 months Attendant
1908-1909 Conductor

1907-1908 Conductor 
1906-1907 Attendant
1900- 1906 Farmer"

What I believe from putting pieces together, i.e., reading this application, seeing photos and hearing stories from my mother is the following:
TJ apparently worked at Binghamton State Hospital as an Attendant twice ( 7months in 1909-1910 and in 1906 - 1907.  In between he lists that he was a Conductor 1907-1908 and 1908-1909.  I have another photo of TJ in a different uniform which I will scan and post in the blog.  The pin on the shoulder and the hat have the initials BWS which I think stands for Board of Water Supply or something like that.  This is where I believe TJ was a conductor of sorts.  Maybe some of the younger generation can do a search on this for us??? 

Here is the photo I promised to scan of TJ in his BWS Uniform.  My goodness does he look like the O'Rourke boys or what??

TJ O'Donnell's Appication for the NYC Police Department dated November 17, 1913

Photo T.J. O'Donnell Aqueduct Police, Pleasantville Precinct
I am sure he knew how to ride a horse well, having grown up on a farm in Pa.  That probably helped him get this job.

Found this Information written in TJ O’Donnell’s hand in the basement at my Parents/Aunt’s Home.

It is written on a

Municipal Civil Service Commission of New York, 299 Broadway, 11^th Floor – Application for Patrolman”

Everything in TJ’s hand will be in quotes

It is dated “November 17, 1913”

1. What is your name in full (your first name in full, your middle initial or initials, if you have any, and your surname in full)?

“T. J. O’Donnell”

2. Are you a citizen of the United States?

“Yes”

3. What was the year, month and day of your birth?
(BE ABSOLUTELY SURE OF THE DATE OF YOUR BIRTH.)

 “March 22, 1885”

4. Where were you born? (If born in the United States, give name of State.)

“Saint Joseph, Susquehanna Co. Penna,”

4. Since what date have you lived in the State of New York?

“October 15^th 1906”

4. Where do you live?

“920 Madison St. Brooklyn NY”

5. In what kind of school were you educated – common school, high school, business college, academy, or college?

“Common School”

6. Are you married? If so, what family have you?

“No”

7. Have you ever been complained of, indicated for or convicted of any violation of law?

“No”

7.a Have you ever been arrested?

“No”

8. To what extent, if at all, do you use intoxicating liquors?

“None”

9. What is your height?  Height “5”  feet  " 9" inches  Weight “160”pounds.

10. Were you ever in the employ of the United States, or of any State, or of any County, City, or Town? If so, state where and in what capacity?

“ Binghamton State Hospital Attendant. Binghamton, NY

When and why were you separated from such employment?

“ Nov 1909 to accept position as patrolman on Aqueduct”.

Addendum:  I do NOT believe that this photo is TJ but rather a comrade of his.  

Anne Rose O'Donnell

 

Found this photo of Annie at 35 Ledgewood 

It is marked Anne O'Donnell -1939 

and stamped Goldsmith Bros. 

Cine-Foto Studio

77 Nassau St., N.Y.C. 

Anne was born on Dec. 10, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY so she would have been ~ 19  in this photo.

She once asked my brother, Marty, if he thought anyone would miss her or think about her when she was gone given the fact that she never married and had no children. 

Well, Aunt Anne, we think of you often and we miss you.  As the years went on she became more like a friend to me rather than an Aunt.  I could tell Aunt Anne anything and she never judged me harshly.  Occasionally, I'll be upstairs and I'll look out my bedroom window and imagine her little brown car pulling up in front of the house alongside the road.  Every now and then, she would stop by unannounced for a short visit.  I didn't really mind as she took me just as I was - messy or whatever.   Sometimes, we don't realize how much these simply, everyday things mean to us until they are gone.   I'd love to see her pull up in her car today, I really would.

The Estate Sale was Grueling

"I'm sorry for your loss", one woman said on her way out the front door, her arms loaded with my parents' belongings.  It was a weird, emotional experience.  I don't even understand all the feelings that were raging through my mind.
I know we need to clean out all the stuff.
I know it needs to be done.
I know a lot of things, but it doesn't mean I feel them.
In a very real way, I felt raped, pulled over the coals, dragged through the mud.
People were standing on the front lawn when Bob and I arrived, a half hour before the advertised opening time.  When we unlocked the front door, there was a literal stampede.  One woman raced from room to room, her eyes hungrily scanning up and down and all around each room as she pushed past me onto the next.  Even though I had been warned about it, the reality was something else altogether.  I was literally an Estate Sale virgin - naive and innocent. And, although  I wanted to sell things, at the same time I resented the people when they took my father and mother away piece by piece.  They took my father's Jesus, the Jesus that watched over him as he lay dying.  The Jesus that stood guard in our living room in Brooklyn for as long as I can remember.
I tried to explain what certain items meant and why they were so important and worthy of respect and honor and instead I heard back from so many,  "Is that the best price you can give me?"   This bargaining cuts deeply when you know these things were my father and mother's treasures.  And yet, at other moments, I felt angry with my father that all this stuff was left for me to deal with.  But at the same time, I can't believe it was left as a  punishment for me.  I have to believe he did not know what he was doing.  As human beings we all do things that cause our loved ones heartache, and pain. I am sure I do this all the time, without even realizing it.  I am doing it now with my own vast collection of junk.  I have to pray for the ability to let go.  I do not want to leave such a mess for my kids.
And truthfully, I did appreciate the woman who said, "I'm sorry for your loss".   I will always remember her thoughtfulness in the midst of chaos and confusion.