had grown up <strong>and</strong> was raised by relatives; she remained very close to her mother’s family, <strong>and</strong> because of the age gap, somewhat distant from her half siblings; even at her funeral, none of siblings were in attendance. Pietro, who now went by Peter, traveled back to Italy sometime after Anne’s birth in 1913. His brother Giuseppe <strong>Berga</strong> was still living in San Front, Italy. 13 It is unclear why he made his way home, but it could have been for a funeral. Leaving from France, on the S.S. France, Peter was on his way back to Wakefield on May 16, 1914. 13 Peter was Naturalized May 29, 1930 13,14 along with thirteen other new citizens. He <strong>and</strong> Marianna took night classes to learn English, saying, “We are in American now.” Peter <strong>and</strong> Marianna owned their home on Tula Road, which is now M-28. During the widening of Tula road, Peter’s home was threatened. He had the house moved from the Fink location, to the Connely addition on July 17 1930. St<strong>and</strong>ing Left: Pietro <strong>Berga</strong> with daughter Barbara & Andrew Galiardi Sitting: Andrew’s wife Mary Ozzello with her son Peter, holding her daughter. 1905 Courtesy of Peter Valesano Peter had a stroke, forcing him to relay on others to take care of him. His gr<strong>and</strong>children would come over <strong>and</strong> help him walk. His gr<strong>and</strong>son, Eugene, would help him shave, 15 <strong>and</strong> being that his h<strong>and</strong>le-bar moustache was his pride <strong>and</strong> joy, he would remind his gr<strong>and</strong>son, Eugene to, “Be careful with that razor.” 15 At 73, Peter died on a Sunday, August 27, 1950. 1 He had been hospitalized for 69 days <strong>and</strong> in ill health for several years. 1 Funeral rites were held on a Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, Michigan in Gogebic county. 1,5 His wife, Mary Ann, died two years later, at her daughter’s home in Manitowich, Wisconsin, February 2, 1952. She is buried by her husb<strong>and</strong> in the <strong>Berga</strong> family plot, for which Peter had purchased five plots for $12.00 in 1935. November 18-25, 1905 New York Built by Cie. Générale Transatlantique (Penhoet), St. Nazaire, France in 1899. Served as armed merchant cruiser during WWI under name LORRAINE II. Put back into service in 1919 under her original name. Scrapped 1923. She could hold up to 1,114 passengers. Above: Ship’s manifest states that paying their own way, Pietro (29) <strong>and</strong> brother, Chiaffredo (26), are destined for Andrew Galiardi’s home in Gile, Wisconsin. Pietro first arrived in 1902. The brothers have $20 to their name. S.S. La Lorraine Steam Ship 1905
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