Old boys network

Last summer, Vince Blundi struck up a conversation with a stranger taking shade underneath a tree on West Moyamensing Avenue.

At first glance, the stranger, Sam D’Amico, mistook Blundi for younger brother Carl Blundi, whom D’Amico knew from St. Rita of Cascia School. But the chance meeting was no mistake. The two men started reminiscing about growing up in their unique corner of the world.

"These memories will remain with me all of my life," said Vince Blundi, 77, of the 1000 block of Jackson Street. "I have South Philly in me and I will never lose it."

Blundi and D’Amico, 73, decided to create an outlet for residents from their old neighborhood to bask in South Philly pride – if only for a day. Last Wednesday, more than 60 men gathered for a reunion at Galdo’s Catering, 20th Street and Moyamensing Avenue. The event welcomed friends originally from Ellsworth, Federal, Reed and Wharton streets, from 13th to 18th streets.

It took months to track down onetime neighbors. Blundi and D’Amico headed up a planning committee for the reunion, reaching out to those who attended a similar event in 1978. A number of attendees confirmed after receiving mailings or just hearing about the reunion.

"I always felt it would be nice to get these guys together again and break some bread," said D’Amico, of the 3400 block of Smedley Street. "It was a labor of love."

The owner of Sam D’Amico’s Music Drummers Headquarters, 1530 W. Moyamensing Ave., said some attendees had not seen each other in more than 50 years.

Judging from the outpouring of hugs and other sentimental gestures, it was evident many picked up right where they left off.

"You can tell your friends for life the minute you see them," said Alfred "Tootsie" Ronconi, 75, of the 200 block of Bainbridge Street.

A TABLE FULL of photos and other memorabilia was a welcome sight for the group, some of whom remained in the area while others moved far away.

Planning committee member Dom Pantaleo lovingly referred to his old neighborhood as an "Italian ghetto."

"Everyone’s name in my class ended with a vowel," said Pantaleo, of the 1300 block of Lombard Street.

Others spoke of their families’ local traditions.

"If I went to school and there wasn’t a TastyKake packed for lunch, it was like not smelling my mom’s gravy cooking on Sunday morning," said Carl Blundi, originally of 17th and Ellsworth streets.

Back in the 1950s, celebrity spotting was another highlight of living in the area.

After performing at a New Jersey club, members of the Rat Pack – Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra – occasionally stopped by Pat’s Steaks, 1237 E. Passyunk Ave., for a bite to eat, said Carl, who now lives in Florida.

"There would be people waiting to see them at 2 or 3 in the morning," said Carl, 70, who now regrets not obtaining the singers’ autographs.

More typical pursuits included going to the annual Thanksgiving Day high-school football game. When "Southeast Catholic played Southern," it always erupted into a brouhaha, Carl said.

That rivalry continues today, but three name changes later, Southeast Catholic is known as Neumann-Goretti.

For many, movies were an inexpensive escape from the ordinary.

"Every Saturday, you would be there from 9 in the morning to 5 at night," said Carl, who frequented the now-defunct Globe Theater on South 17th Street.

Gabe "Spanky" Di Feliciantonio, 74, fondly recalled "dish night" at the former Dante Theater, Broad and Federal, when audience members could snag free tableware. It was common to hear clanging and rattling as people would rise from their seats, forgetting the dish on their lap.

Such simple but memorable experiences made growing up in South Philly so special, said Di Feliciantonio, of the 2800 block of Iseminger Street.

The event’s master of ceremonies, Di Feliciantonio is now planning a golf outing with his favorite group of pals.

"We’ve been blessed with longevity and good genes. We should get together as long as we can," he said. "Who knows how many years we have left?"

While admiring a collage of old pictures, Bruce Niccolo praised his hometown and the camaraderie of his neighborhood gang.

"South Philadelphia is more than a geographical destination. It’s a state of mind," said Niccolo, 78, who lives in Devon. "I will certainly cherish this day. I don’t know if I’ll be around for another one, but I’ll never forget this one."