When Gia Marie Carangi was born on January 29, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, her father, Joseph, was 35, and her mother, Kathleen, was 24.
Baby girl Gia joined her brothers Joe Jr and Michael in the Carangi household at 4027 Fitler Street, Philly.
Gia had four siblings. An older half brother William, from her Dad’s first marriage, and a younger half brother Jonathan, from her Dad’s 3rd marriage.
Gia’s heritage is Italian from her Father’s side of the family, and Irish-Welsh from her Mother’s side.
Gia was named by her father Joe, who remembered hearing the unusual name while stationed in Italy during the war.
Gia died on November 18, 1986, in her hometown at the age of 26, and was buried in Feasterville, Pennsylvania.
Below is Gia’s family tree deconstructed, with photos. Starting with Gia’s Grandfather John Carangi from Italy.
John (Giovanni) Carangi was born on December 8, 1882, in Castel Pizzuto, Isernia, Molise, Italy.
John’s family left Italy when John was 15 and worked their way to America by way of Canada. Officially arriving in America, December 6, 1900.
John was a jeweler. He owned jewelry stores on Frankford & Oxford Avenues, under the de-ethnicized name of “Crane”. Primarily known for diamonds, which earned him the nickname “Diamond Jake”. John had a large diamond for a front tooth. Very successful businesses and his legacy in Philly proceeded him long after his death. Devoted to his family, he helped his family & friends during financial hardships in the depression. (~danette)
John had four children (all sons) with Lucy (Lucia) Menichella of Philadelphia.
John died on January 28, 1952, at the age of 69, of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
John (Giovanni) Carangi was buried in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with his mother Antonia DiDonato.
Lucy (Lucia) Menichella of Philadelphia, wife of John (Giovanni) Carangi of Italy, was born September 12, 1895, in Roseto, Pennsylvania.
Lucy passed March 27, 1965 at the age of 70. Gia was 5.
This photo is Lucy with Gia, and the other little girl is a cousin.
John and Lucy’s boys
Anthony Carangi, 2nd to the oldest.
(No photos of the oldest Andrew
were found)
The twins Joseph and Daniel
Joe on the left
Dan on the right
5 years old
Joe Carangi Sr’s Family tree
Gia’s father’s FIRST marriage
Joe Carangi Sr’s SECOND marriage to Kathleen
Joe Carangi Sr’s THIRD marriage
Joe Carangi was born a fraternal twin with his brother Daniel, May 18, 1924. They both served in WWII, US ARMY. Joe built a little culinary empire for himself starting with the Hoagie City in Philadelphia. Joe kept many family members employed. The twins and their two older brothers Andrew and Anthony were second-generation Italian Catholic’s, whose father John owned jewelry stores under the de-ethnicized name “Crane”.
Joey Carangi Jr’s family tree
Joe Carangi Jr’s 1st child is Michelle Carangi. Michelle was the teenage granddaughter who lived with Kathleen and Henry when Gia died. She was Gia’s first niece.
Joe Jr and 2nd wife Linda’s first child, is Jacki (Jacquelyn). Jacki is the sweet little girl in these photos.
Michael Carangi wrote to me and respectfully requested
that his story be removed and remain private.
I’m more than happy to comply.
Kathleen Adams Carangi Sperr
Kathleen and Henry Sperr.
Young blonde girl next to Henry is Jessica, Joe Jr’s youngest daughter.
Daniel Carangi’s family
Daniel Carangi, Joe’s twin brother.
Both twins were WWII Army Vets.
Photo 1944
Dan’s first wife, Mildred Terzyk passed away April 7, 1957 at age 30.
They had one child, son John.
Dan marries second wife Rosyln Goldstein. Roslyn had daughter Linda Savino from her first marriage to Thomas Savino.
Daniel’s first child, John S., was born Oct 13, 1948, passed away 1988 age 40.
Daniel and wife Roslyn at daughter Danette’s wedding March 7, 1987
Daniel outlived his parents and all his siblings and passed away at age 82, June 3rd, 2006, in Atlantic City, NJ.
OBITUARIES
~source: Ancestry.com, Findagrave.com, Facebook, google.com and “Thing of Beauty”.
You are amazing Mares, this must have been very hard wrk researching and verifying all this family info, very impressed!
Thank you so much! It is a lot of work. Detail is important for me. It’s nice to read your appreciation!