John and Margaret Mecca

I got a reunion announcement back from the Frontier, WY postmaster, informing me that "John and Margaret Mecca have passed on. It has been a few years now. They also lost their daughter and son-in-law just before too."

Message from Nena Gilleland

Nena Gilleland, who is apparently my second cousin, wrote:

Greetings Sean! I am your second cousin, Nena (Janena) Coletti, daughter of James Coletti who was your grandfather's brother. If I've figured the blogspot out, you are the son of Jeff, my cousin and good friend growing up. Is that correct? Anyway, I was so impressed with the website and everything you've done for the family. My husband and I will be attending the reunion and I'm hoping that some of our kids and grandkids will also. We have five children and 15 grandchildren! I'm interested in knowing any information about family history and temple work that has been done. I've been doing a little research and finding it slow. I know Joe did quite a bit and would like to know what's been done if possible. Looking forward to meeting you and seeing long lost cousins! Thanks so much.Ciao! Nena

Message from Susan Kellerman

Susan Kellerman recently wrote:

Thanks you so much for including us in the reunion. Unfortunately, wewill not be able to attend. Our kids are still in school at that timeand we will not be able to get away. Sincerely,Pat and Susan Kellerman

Pictures

OK, many of you have asked for the pictures that I have put on the blog. Again, I have to thank Joseph Oliver (Patty's son) for putting them all together.

I have made an easy link for anyone interested in copying these wonderful photos. On the blog, there is now a slideshow on the right hand side. Double click on the slideshow, and it will bring you to my public Picasa web album of all the photos. You can download them in original format or order prints directly from Google.

Let me know if you run into any problems!

An error - It was Joseph Conrad who died

I was mistaken when I said that Joseph Gordon Coletti had died. Joseph Gordon died when he was born. Joseph Conrad Coletti just died on February 14, 2008. I have made the appropriate change below.

Safeguarding Coletti Family Records

All,

My Uncle Richard has offered to scan, photograph and archive all family records, photos, etc. that any of you can send to him and put it on a DVD. He will make copies of it available to everyone who comes to the reunion. He does this for a business, but he has offered to do this for our family for free.

Richard says he can do it in one of two ways:

1. If everyone sends their documents by FedEx, Certified Mail, or email, he'll get everything scanned, photographed, etc. and put on a CD that he will have available for distribution at the reunion. All items sent to him will be returned promptly by certified mail.

2. Or, he can arrange to bring his camera, scanner and laptop to the reunion and do the scanning there. Those who might want a copy of the DVD mailed to them later would probably need to pay a small amount to cover the cost.

He has stated that the work he does is very high quality … no Xerox copies, etc. Everything is scanned at very high res … 600 to 1200 dpi and archived on high quality DVD’s.

Anyone who is interested, here is Richard's contact information:

Richard Coletti
Post Office Box 566
Centerville, UT 84014
801-864-9773
rgcoletti@xmission.com

Joseph Conrad Coletti - Died February 14, 2008

'Little Joe' passed away on Valentine's Day of complications incident to old age. He was 72. He was the 2nd son of Joseph and Violet Coletti, and is survived by 4-brothers; Richard, Robert, Jeffrey, and Danny Coletti, and 2-sisters; Patricia Oliver & Debra Dunning.

Thank you Richard for bringing this to our attention. I met Little Joe one time when I was younger; I can barely remember it. I know he didn't get enough attention from family. I hope I get to know him someday.

Directions

Some of you have asked for detailed directions to the North Ogden Park. So here goes!

If you are driving North on I-15 to North Ogden, take Exit 349 (Farr West, North Ogden). There appears to be a McDonalds at that exit. Turn right on 2700 North. Follow the road as it turns into 2600 North. Follow the road until you get to 550 East, and turn left. Drive up 550 East until you see the park on your left.

If you are driving South on I-15 to North Ogden, I would still take Exit 349 (Farr West, North Ogden). Turn left on 2700 North. Follow the road as it turns into 2600 North. Follow the road until you get to 550 East, and turn left. Drive up 550 East until you see the park on your left.

If you have any questions, please ask me!

Google Maps has this new feature called "Street View." You should really check it out. You can view from street level many of the streets in North Ogden. It's amazing!

Reunion Update

For those of you Colettis out there, here are the final details on the family reunion.
Good news! We have a location for the reunion. These are the details:

Time: April 26, 2008, 9 am - 5 pm

Place: North Ogden Park, North Ogden, Utah, at the East Bowery. If you get on E 2600 North, drive East until you get to N 550 East in North Ogden, Utah, then turn Left. That's where the park is located.

Please Bring: Your favorite dish. It's Pot Luck.

Hope to see you there!

If you are still confused about the location, go to: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=North+Ogden+Park&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.609089,103.007812&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=0

More Pictures

Karen and Jane Coletti have commented on the blog, and now I realized I have some more pictures of them.

Here's baby Jane:

Karen and Jane, 1948:
Again, but what year??
A little older--
Baby Karen--
Also, here are some more pictures of the Cumberland raid:

Joseph Coletti (facing us?):

Joseph Coletti & family (son Mario and daughter Genevise):

Here's a different Joseph Coletti (my grandfather). Now you see where I get some of my good looks:

Later in life, as LDS Mission president in Rome, Italy, with Debra on left and Violet on the right:

Again, many thanks to Joe Oliver for these pictures!

New Message from Tony Coletti

Here's a message from Tony Coletti, a great-grandson of Luigi Coletti through his son Joseph Coletti (not the same as my grandfather Joseph Coletti):

Hi Sean,

My name is Tony Coletti. I live in SLC, UT. There are some photos on your site of Luigi Coletti, and Luigi Coletti was my Great-Grandfather. His son was Joseph Coletti (my grandfather) who had 4 children, Joe (my father), John, Carol, and Lou. My dad recognizes several of the people in the pics, and in fact is in one of the pics (blonde, curly haired infant in the arms of a man). Luigi and wife, Theresa migrated from Turin, Italy and settled in Kemmerer, WY. We believe that Luigi was a cousin or brother of Peter Coletti. My mother's step-father was Paul Coletti (I can't remember his father's name) and he was my paternal grandfather's (Joseph Coletti) first cousin. This would make my father and mother second cousins (by marriage only). No, no inbreeding done here!

If in fact the 2 Coletti families are related, I would love to attend the family reunion. Thank you for your efforts in bringing this family together, please contact me at your convenience.

Regards,

Tony Coletti