From your niece [as you liked to call me] Lillibeth:
The treasured and cherished memories of my times together with Zio Tony and Zia Ida.
Though few due to the distance placed by a worldwide scattered Brancaccio 'dynasty' - we were close all the same even when apart i.e. Australia-UK; Naples-London-Trieste-Alicante.
What a surprise to find as an adult that my uncle was a mix between Tony Curtis and Paul Newman(!). Ida you sure had the coolest of husbands and I the coolest of uncles!
Then all of us at Zia Maria's in Napoli, so much fun, it was not just daily it was hourly! Our deepest sentiments shared during those trips, the display of deep affection and respect we all had for one other - and Zio Tony how your eyes glittered with love for your wonderful sister Maria.
The cravings for Neapolitan food, Maria made sure the buffalo mozzarella was always on the dinner table ... we chatted all of us to late night hours and... the jokes so many jokes.
You sure laughed and had a lot of fun Zio, good on you!
The satisfaction you expressed over your trip to Trieste, the Adriatic sea and days filled with sunshine what a pleasure to have you at my home and looking so content. The interesting chats, the nice dinners, sightseeing and my taking you and your lovely wife, to my work's Main Hall to see young science and physics students doing theatre - you were so amused (so was I)!
The surprise 70th party that your lovely children organised [hiding in your house] what a shock that was for you! I have amazing memories of my times with you that will never be forgotten!
The grandest time of them all is hard to pick, the more significant, when you and Enrico picked me up from Alicante airport, Enrico the tallest was spotted first, but you hidden right behind you really did get the biggest hug Zio - and the silent drive to Torrevieja to your lovely house with air filled with orange blossoms, and you so cool there right near the pool!
This, the last, was most probably significant one could say.
I say the most significant of them all, was having an uncle like you Zio Tony, no matter the silence. Even when you appeared phlegmatic, it was never at the expense of emotions, a man of rich wisdom at same time filled with sensitivity and deep sentiments. Fact is, my uncle Tony just stayed so cool!
From the Aussie-Brancaccio, you Antonio Brancaccio, will have been and will always be the best (!).
Indeed worthy of respect and deep affection that I felt and feel for you N.1 !
You have been missed and you will always be missed.
Your niece, Lillibeth
