Asturian-American Migration Forum

My name is Joseph Alvarez and I lived in Donora, PA from 1933-1961. My parents are Celestino and Maria Alvarez (her maiden name was Suarez). I married Amor Fernandez, who's father was Amelio Fernandez and mother was Manuela Menendez, her step-father was Jose Rodriguez, but he was better known as "Pork Chops". My family originally lived in Cherryvale, KS from 1921-1933, we moved to Donora to work in the zinc mills. If anyone remembers myself, Amor, her brothers and sisters: Africa Rodriguez, Jesus Rodriguez who was better known as "Jess", or my brothers and sisters: Manuel Alvarez, Amelia Alvarez, Mary Alvarez, or Laura Alvarez. We would love to hear from you, or anyone who remembers Donora. Thanks!

Hello Joseph,

You may want to take a look at some Census information I just placed on my Web site. (The link is below) The Census is U.S. 1930. There are 37 pages in the census, I went through them and posted only the pages that I saw a connection to Spain. I also indexed some of the Surnames to try to make it a little easier to locate someone. Good luck !

Roberto Vega

http://home.neo.rr.com/vega/

Joseph,

I'm originally from Donora too; my Father was Manuel "Patas" Garcia and guess what? I now live in Apple Valley too! I remember some of the people you mentioned. My cousin (in Spain) is married to the great neice of Pork Chops. I would love to hear from you if you care to privately email me or let me know how I can get in touch with you.

My father was Oscar Buylla. He was from Donora. Did you know him?
I am also related to Suarez's in Donora and Mckeesport thru my mother's side of the family, Artimez.

You should remember me? Hijo de Maria and Victor from 12th Street (Pic, Mariina, Chilina, Judy and me, Jimmy. I was very young when you moved away. I remember how beautiful Amor was and especially, how nice Lola de Por Chopas was... I ate many good meals at her home. Lola was my mom's best friend in Donora. Amor, didn't your brother marry the sister of Lou Alvarez? Lou married my cousin Rene from Annmoore and they are now living in Orange, California not far from where my family and I live. Donora has changed a lot from the Spanish picnic days (what beautiful memories!). I stay in touch with my cousins, Pete Lorenzo and family, Chilina, Mary and Art Galiffa, Vic and family (Myrtle Beach,SC) Judy and family (Mentor,Ohio), Kenny Barbao and family (Donora) and various friends,Tony Menendez and family, Chester Suski and family and others. I remember so many stories Mom and Dad told me of Asturias, Aviles, Salinas, Piedras Blancas, San Martin de Laspra, Arnao, La Plata, Grado, Rodiles, Mocin, Otura y mucho mas. And when I visited these places, I understood my family's heritage, their love, their hard work, their values... what they gave to us and sacrificed for us to have the lives we have today and the many memories we have of them and of our close friends. Take care. Say hello to Sonja Garcia in Apple Valley.

I'm sorry, but my father Oscar Buylla was from Donora, I grew up in McKeesport, Pa. I am 50 years old. I do remember Kenny Bilbao and Tony Menendez

Pepe... I remember your dad, Oscar very well. He was very nice to me while growing up. I had my first or second cerveza there at El Chico's bar. I spent a lot of time at the Campa's house and of course, at the famous Spanish Club. Did you go to Donora High? I graduted from Donora in 1963, Cal State Univ. in 1967 and I attended the Univ.of Vallalodid. Ken Barbao and family, Pete Lorenzo and family, Mary Galiffa and family, the Bowkers, the Garcia's and others... we are all related.Tony Menendez and his family are very good friends. We still have a lot of friends and family in Piedras Blancas, San Martin de Laspra, La Plata, Salinas, Aviles, Gijon, Oviedo, Morcin and Otura (home of the Barbao clan). Hasta la proxima.

I graduated from McKeesport Area High School in 1974. When I was little we would go to Donora to visit relatives there, usually Honorina Suarez who was my mother's aunt. The men would go to the Spanish Club there when we visited. I can remember many names and faces, some of which are no longer with us, Happy Sanchez, Florentino & Jesusa Garcia, Pepe Medina, Manuel Fernandez, the Campa's, Popeye Alvarez, Ping Alvarez, Frank Gonzalez, Stonewall Diaz, to name some.

DONORAJRA wrote:My name is Joseph Alvarez and I lived in Donora, PA from 1933-1961. My parents are Celestino and Maria Alvarez (her maiden name was Suarez). I married Amor Fernandez, who's father was Amelio Fernandez and mother was Manuela Menendez, her step-father was Jose Rodriguez, but he was better known as "Pork Chops". My family originally lived in Cherryvale, KS from 1921-1933, we moved to Donora to work in the zinc mills. If anyone remembers myself, Amor, her brothers and sisters: Africa Rodriguez, Jesus Rodriguez who was better known as "Jess", or my brothers and sisters: Manuel Alvarez, Amelia Alvarez, Mary Alvarez, or Laura Alvarez. We would love to hear from you, or anyone who remembers Donora. Thanks!

Hi Joseph, my name is Ramona Tunon Bright. I am sure you are the Kans i heard so much about growing up. I think my mother and dad Mary and manuel were your best man and maid of honor. I remember Pork Chops when i was younger. I met Jessie in Asturias in 1978 when we were there after my abuelo "Rubio" Jose Manuel Artime passed away. I would like to hear you. My father has passed but my mother would like to hear how you and amor are doing.

Ramona,

Are you the Tunon family that lived up the hill from the Spanish Club in Donora (with a brother Danny)?

Sonia Garcia Mandzok

Sonia Garcia Mandzok wrote:Ramona,

Are you the Tunon family that lived up the hill from the Spanish Club in Donora (with a brother Danny)?

Sonia Garcia Mandzok

Sonia,
I am related to the Tunon family that you refer to. We are cousins. Thta familiy was Geronimo and Helen. They had 2 children, Mary (now deceased) and Danny. Danny lived most of his life in Bloomington, IN and was thinking of moving to Arizona. I'm not sure if he did or not. Reading through all the old Spanish names and family connections has brought back so many good memories.

My name is Floreal Suarez but called Flody and I grew up in Anmoore WVa.
We also lived in Donora during the years 1936- 37 but moved back to Anmoore and my dad worked at Cabon factory in Anmoore. I spent many summers in Donora and my relatives were Victor and Mary Garcia, Joe Barbao, Gia Lorenzo and Pete Lorenzo. My Cousin Jim Barbao put me onto this web Site and I can't believe the names that I recognize. I have been in Sarasota FL. sice 1967 and retired from teachiong and coaching. If anybody remebers my famil {Edwardo and Gela Suarez please dop me a line and fill me in. I hope to go to Avilis this summer with my wife two sons daughter and two grandchildren and look fo relatives. Flody Suarez

[Art: I have removed this message because it is a duplicate, but you will want to visit the link below.]

Humberto Serafín Álvarez Rodríguez wrote a message about Laurie (Laura) Álvarez, daughter of Celestino Álvarez Menéndez:
http://www.asturianus.org/forum/viewtop ... =9542#9542
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[Art: He quitado este mensaje porque es un duplicado, pero se ruega que visites el eslabón siguiente.]

Humberto Serafín Álvarez Rodríque escribió un message sobre Laurie (Laura) Álvarez, hija de Celestino Álvarez Menéndez:
http://www.asturianus.org/forum/viewtop ... =9542#9542

Hello, my birthname is Richard Joseph Alvarez and my Grandfather is Joseph, who started this thread. My Grandfather and grandmother (Amor) are both doing well in Apple Valley, Ca. He has asked me to ask his friends on here if they would call him. Ramona, if you are still on here, your parents were his best man and maid of honor......Manuel was in the Marine Corps with my Grandpa. Someone else mentioned that they saw my Great-uncle Jesse in Spain....he is my grandma's (Amor's) brother and is doing well with his wife Nina outside of Phillladelphia. I also saw a post in here asking about the Donora soccer team....my Uncle Jess was on the team and I believe they were called the "Spanish Maroons" Last time I was in Donora, I went to Ping's (who is also Joseph Alvarez and is my Grandmother's cousin) house and he had a picture of the team on his wall. If anyone who knows my Grandparents would like to get in touch, please send me a private message and I will get their number to you.

I wrote this thread for my Grandfather some time ago and wanted to put up some pictures of my family.



















I stopped through Donora a few years back and visited with Ping, my Grandma Amor's cousin and went to the Spanish club and had a wonderful time. I hope to go back soon. I also wanted to let anyone who knows my Grandparent's (Joe and Amor) know that they are both doing well in Calif.

I just noticed I put Celestino and Maria's name in the picture of my Grandfather's family when they were kids but they are not in it, it is only the children, I will see if I can find a picture of them as well.