So, What’s in a (Last) Name – Part 3

Table of Contents

1. Why was Lucio’s Wet Nurse So Important?
2. What about Rocco?  How did that last name come about?
3. Pizza Review – Rhino’s Pizzeria, Webster, NY

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This post will explore:

• Why was Lucio’s wet nurse was so important
• What about Rocco?

Why was Lucio’s Wet Nurse So Important?

While the Valeriano surname boasts an intriguing backstory (discussed previously), to me, it pales in comparison to another narrative.

For me, the pivotal figure is Lucio’s wet nurse and her family. Born in Solofra, Lucio was raised in Canale (di Serino), a quaint hamlet nearby, by this family. Although some details remain elusive, certain aspects are clear:

1. Survival Against Odds: Lucio defied the overwhelming odds of infant mortality after government support ceased. His continued survival suggests he wasn’t abandoned but remained cared for.
2. Accepted as Family: Presumably, Lucio stayed with the wet nurse’s family—an atypical arrangement. This acceptance marked him as part of their household.
3. Mastering a Trade: Lucio’s skill as a muratore (bricklayer, stone mason) sets him apart. Traditionally, trades were passed down through generations, reinforcing his integration into the family. This skill proved advantageous when he arrived in North America.

In essence, it’s thanks to Lucio’s wet nurse and her family, that I can write this blog—a testament to their significance.

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What about Rocco?  How did that last name come about?

Lucio’s life began as “Lucio Valeriano,” bestowed upon him at birth which is also recorded at Ellis Island. However, Lucio was also known as “Gerardo Rocco.” How did this come about? 

Our, mostly proved, theory:

1. Wet Nurses and Abandoned Babies:
   • In poverty-stricken Southern Italy, town magistrates cultivated wet nurses as a “profession” due to the infant abandonment epidemic.
   • Often, these wet nurses were mothers who recently lost a newborn.
2. The Rocco Connection:
   • We believe that Lucio’s wet nurse was Grazia Rocco (maiden name DiCicco), her husband was Luciano Rocco
   • Around the time of Lucio’s birth, tragedy struck the Rocco family—they lost a child. This heartbreaking event left Mrs. Rocco (should I call her “Great, Great Grandmother Rocco”) available to nurse another infant.
3. Gerardo Rocco Emerges:
   • Lucio was taken in by the Rocco family, but never “officially” adopted, assumed the dead baby’s name, Gerardo Rocco.
   • By assuming the Rocco name, Lucio shielded himself from the stigma of a name that didn’t exist in Serino and Solofra shaping our destiny.

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The theory continues with these intriguing insights:

1. Grandpa Ralph’s Marriage:
   • Lucio’s son, known as Raffaele (Ralph) Rocco (actual baptized as Ralph Valeriano), married into “the actual” Rocco family by marrying Filomena (Florence) Ruocco (who’s grandmother was a Rocco)
   • Raffaele, going by the Rocco surname, and Filomena had to prove to the church that they weren’t related before they received the blessing of the church
2. The Familiarity Factor: 
   • We believe the marriage was arranged
   • Arranged marriages were customary in Southern Italy and often involving suitors from familiar families.
   • If Lucio was indeed raised by the Rocco family, it’s hard to imagine having more family familiarity

Previous posts:

• What is a Routa dei Proietti?
• What and Where is the New Street Quarter in Solofra?
• Whats this about Infant Abandonment?
• What does it mean that he was “given the name” and how and why?
• Why Valeriano?

Future posts:

• What about Valleriano?
• Are there other Valeriano?
• Who are Lucio’s parents?  Mother?  Father? And, what’s the REAL last name?
• Were there/are there other children from Lucio’s parents?

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Pizza Review – Rhino’s Pizzeria, Webster, NY

We’ve eaten pizza from Rhino’s Pizzeria since the late 90’s.  It was started by a family that we know in Webster from my football coaching and their children were also classmates of ours. 

Rhino’s Pizzeria came around the same time as the Rochester Raging Rhino’s soccer team in the mid 90’s.  I’m not sure if there was a connection.  Although the Raging Rhinos were a 2nd tier team of the US soccer pyramid, they were extremely popular and successful, including beating several MLS teams during multiple US Open Cup tournament runs. 

This trip was our first in many years.  It was encouraged by our daughter who had (has?) a strong affinity to their Buffalo Chicken Wing pizza.

Date	June 28, 2024
Pizzeria	Rhino’s Pizzeria
City/Neighborhood	Webster, NY / Webster Village
Website	Home – Rhinos Pizzeria (rhinospizzany.com)
About Us	None on website – I would really like to understand their story.  I don’t believe the original owners are still involved though.
Style	New York
Ambiance	Picked up, take out

Shape	Round
Dough/Crust	Tickness – thin to medium Cook – Soft, strange texture – it had bready/dry taste like raw-ish flour.  Dense. No char but brown bottom seems like the floor of the oven was not hot enough
Cornicione	Seems like just an extension of the center, no real “lip” or raised edge, dense
Toppings	Cheese and pepperoni on one, chicken and wing sauce on the other
Sauce	Good tomatoey taste, could use more
Cheese	Cheese Type – Moozedell Cheese Distribution – All over, salty, greasy   No flavor on its own, overpowered in both cases either by pepperoni or Buffalo Wing sauce
Cheese to Sauce Ratio	Sauce – A little to medium Cheese – Medium Balance – good balance, but that doesn’t mean great pizza

Value	Outstanding value!   We purchased two pizzas. A medium cheese is $14 and a large was $16. Our medium is 14″ and a large is 15.5″.   That’s an incredible $10 for equivalent 12″!
Overall Rating	At best this was a “Good” pizza, at worst it was Meh! Although the value is terrific, the dough was pretty bad and upset what I was hoping to be a good thing.
Would I Go Back?	Maybe, given the price, I should give Rhino’s another try, but likely after a ride when all pizzas taste better.