In the country of Italy in a small hill town lay the beginning of our heritage. Savignano is situated in the province of Avellino on the boundary between Avellino and Foggia. Giovanni Labriola, son of Michael Arcangelo Labriola and Philomena Magone and Grazia Maria Labriola, daughter of Giuseppe Labriola and Giuseppina Martino were born. Giovanni and Grazia were fourth cousins. Due to the limited population in the small villages it was not uncommon for distant cousins to marry.

Little is known about Giovanni Labrriola prior to immigrating to the United States from the port of Naples, Italy, on February 25, 1912, on the vessel Genova. He arrived in the port of New York on March 10, 1912. Little is known about the first six years of his life in America. While working as a laborer in the rubber industry and living in Akron, Ohio, Giovanni enlisted in the United States Army. On July 24, 1918, he was sent to Camp Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, with naturalization being grated on August 14, 1918. He was discharge from Camp Sevier in Greenville, South Carolina on November 4, 1918, for medical reasons.

While Giovanni was living in the United States, Grazia was growing up in the small farm community of Savignano.

The homes consisted of small rooms shared by many sometimes together with animals. There was no electricity or running water in the homes. The water source was a community well named Fontana Angelica (Fountain of Angels), located at one end of town.

While her parents farmed the land, Grazia shared in the care of her younger brother and sisters, cooking for family members and taking food and water to those working in the fields.

At an early age, Grazia indicated that she wanted to enter the convent to become a nun. The local priest denied permission for her to enter the convent as he felt Grazia's place was needed at home. Surprisingly, Grazia's four sisters entered the convent. Angelina (Sister Olympia), Carosena (Sister Lucia), Teresina (Sister Dominica), and Lucietta. Sister's Olympia and Lucia joined the Religious Congregation Nostro Signore del Monte Calvario. Sister Dominica and Lucietta joined The Religious Congregation Suore Francescane Elizabetine. Lucietta was still a novice when she had to leave the convent because of ill health. She returned to her home in Savignano and died one year later at the age of 21.

In December 1920, Giovanni returned to his homeland to visit his parents and family. While attending a wedding celebration, Giovanni observed a young lady among the guests and was told she was Grazia Labriola. Giovanni asked for her hand in marriage. Grazia was hesitant to marry due to the nine year age difference between them. However, Grazia's father felt she would have a better life living in America with Giovanni. Through an arranged marriage by Grazia's father, Giovanni and Grazia were married on June 19, 1921, at Chiesa Madre in Savignano di Pulga.

Giovanni returned to America with his new bride in October 1921, carrying a single trunk (which is still in the family) and surviving a 30 day voyage. After living in several locations in Canton, Ohio, they established their home at 1430 11th St. S. E., Canton, Ohio. Giovanni and Grazia began their family. Philomenia born June 25, 1922; an unnamed stillborn male born September 15, 1924; in March 1925, they had a set of twins. Josephine who passed away at 17 days old and an unnamed male who died at birth. Their family grew to include Michael born November 1, 1927; another set of twins, Joseph and Anthony born October 27, 1929; and Gloria born February 5, 1933.

With the death of Giovanni on July 2, 1936, at the age of 47, Grazia with only a small military pension, went to work as the housekeeper for the Mayor of Canton to support her children ages 3 to 14 years of age. Grazia never remarried.

Grazia's life centered on her family and her church life at St. Anthony's. It was not unusual to find Grazia in the front pew with prayer book in hand on a daily basis. She took pride in laundering all the altar cloths and vestments for many years out of the goodness of her heart. On August 16, 1974, Grace sold her home and resided with each of her five children until 1977. On February 5, 1977, due to medical reasons, Grazia moved into St. Joseph's Hospice and resided there until her death on July 23, 1992. Grazia is buried along with Giovanni at Calvary Cemetery in Massillon, Ohio.

The same strong family values and traditions that started so many years ago with the union of Giovanni and Grazia are still being carried on by their five children, nineteen grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.