Camillo was born in 1880 in Trasquera, Italy near the Swiss border. He was the second child of Eugene and Rosa Marzo, who lost their firstborn, Fortunata, at birth. Camillo came to the United States when he was about 3 years old, along with a younger brother, Adolfo. The family settled in San Francisco, moving later to Sonoma, California. Camillo was somewhat of a ladies' man and when he was escorting a lady friend he made his youngest brother, Ferdinando drive them around in a car. Nandi was not too fond of doing that.
Middle photo - Camillo on the left, Helarita, 1904
Camillo was friends with the Giannini family and with the Giurlani family. The Gianninis formed the Bank of Italy, (now the Bank of America) and Camillo was one of their early investors. Camillo's sister, Tillie, gave them their first typewriter and she also did their books.
The Giurlanis formed "Star Fine Foods" and became large importers of olive oil and other foods from Italy. Camillo was one of their early backers. Ferdinando did the intricate artwork on their one-gallon cans of olive oil.
Aunt Mae's family lived in the gold mining town of Plymouth. They were in business during the Gold Rush and made their fortune selling food and supplies to the miners at very good prices!
Camillo and Mae had no children. They lived in San Francisco, in the Marina District. This is the same district that was demolished by the Loma Prieta Earthquake. When he was older, Camillo had an old Chevy and he loved to challenge the young guys on the streets of San Francisco! He got a big kick out of that. For years they also owned a home on the Russian River and the northen California cousins were able to enjoy it.
I had never met Uncle Camillo and Aunt Mae. Once we were in San Francisco and I decided to give them a call. They invited us over, took us out to dinner and asked us to stay for the night. I hadn't expected that and was very pleased.
Camillo and Mae were rather reclusive people and kept to themselves. But Mike Enfield remembers when his eye got shot out and Uncle Camillo came down from San Francisco to visit him in the hospital in Fullerton. Mike was just 10. Both of Mike's eyes were bandaged heavily. There was a radio at his bedside but you needed a nickel to make it play. After a few minutes of talking, Camillo said he would be right back. When he came into the room he told Mike to reach over and feel what he had in his hands. He was holding a large bowl that was full of nickles and told Mike that he could play the radio as long as he wanted to while he was in the hospital. I thought that was a insightful thing to do.
Mike remembers staying with Camillo and Mae and hating the fact that when you went outside, you had to wear a suit!
The Golden Gate Bridge under construction.
The Golden Gate Bridge completed.
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