Page 7 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 59 Spring 2026

EMIGRATION TO THE ness on Ward Street Extension. As a early days, with their original descrip-
UNITED STATES general laborer, he assembled caps, tions.
By his mid-20s, recently out of the crackers, and torpedos produced by
army, Donato decided he would not Backes. Within a few years he was PALMETTO TREES: a fire tree of
remain in Italy tending to the fami- promoted to supervisor, overseeing golden sprays with streaming colored
ly business as his ancestors had for the operation. Though he was with meteors, changing to silver sprays
generations. Instead he joined the Backes for about 10 years, he also es- that produce a willow tree effect.
massive wave of Italians emigrating tablished his own fireworks business
to the U.S. for a life of opportunity. during this time on Florence Avenue FLIGHT OF BOMB SHELLS: these
Donato and Irene were the parents of off of East Center Street, then most- fill the sky with a shower of multi-
two children born in Italy. Only one, ly farmland and a fairly safe place on colored electric gems, and with a
Rosina, lived to see the New World. which to establish a fireworks opera- thunderous report.
Donato and Irene left their homeland tion at the turn of the century.
in 1891 (as they reported in the 1910 PRISMATIC WHIRLWINDS: from
U.S. Census, though other emigration The Record-Journal in 1906 record- an immense revolving column of
dates have been recorded) arriving ed a property transfer from F.C. Allen brilliant prisms ascending high in the
from Naples at the Port of New York to Irene Gammerino, a house at 81 air, it emits showers of golden spray,
a year before Ellis Island opened. Af- Church Street. This house, still stand- terminating in a crown of variegated
ter a brief stay in New York, the family ing, was to be their home for many colored stars of every hue.
moved to New Haven where Philome- years, though it was foreclosed tem-
na was born in 1899. Soon after the porarily in 1909 until Donato repaid ITALIAN SUNSET: opening with
turn of the century they relocated to his son-in-law Michael Donofrio for rapid revolving of five great wheels
Wallingford. I would like to know if an outstanding loan. The Gammeri- of golden fires with emerald and
they already had Wallingford contacts nos must have appreciated owning ruby centers, changes to beautiful
or knew that Wallingford was “fire- a house now as by 1913 they had representation of Italian sunset.
works central” at that time thanks to seven children. And it was within an
the Backes family. What was the rea- easy walk to Holy Trinity Church which AMERICAN WONDER: composed
son they chose this town in which to they attended. As soon as they were of seven great wheels changing
settle? Donato changed his name to old enough, Donato’s sons joined the into many wonderful effects, fills
Dennis after his arrival to aid in the business: Bennie, John, Matthew and the atmosphere with showers of
Americanization process. But for sim- Charles. Together the family skillfully golden fire, studded with scarlet
plicity’s sake, I will continue to refer to created the many different fireworks and emerald jets, changing into four
him as Donato. adored by their fans. dazzling effects never before seen.
Some years later, Donato Gammeri- Like the Backes business, the Gam- FALLS OF NIAGARA: 100 feet in
no’s name appeared on the SS Ma- merinos experienced their share of length, beginning with a colored
donna passenger list arriving from Na- accidental explosions and fires. For illumination, changing to a spray
ples at Ellis Island, NY on November example, in 1914 a “dynamite bomb” fountain and terminating with three
15, 1905. He was traveling with his caused damage to their buildings. The separate discharges into the air
13 year old niece, Maria Merola. The paper reported on it, one of the first representing a beautiful Niagara Falls.
manifest indicated that he and Maria mentions in the press of the Gamme-
were detained at customs listed as LPC rino Fireworks Company. Employee Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have
(likely public charge), a common cause Patsey Passillo was severely burned these magnificent displays digitally
for detention. An LPC immigrant was when some powder he was mixing ig- recorded for posterity?
suspected of potentially becoming a nited his clothing. Donato Gammerino
financial burden on the public due to pulled off his flaming garments, called LOCAL AND NATIONAL FAME
lack of funds, no sponsor, or a medical a taxi, sent him to Dr. Buffum, then During the 1920s and 1930s the Gam-
condition. Donato and his niece were fought the fire that caused $3000 merino Fireworks business was busy
held for two days while the Board of damage. traveling around Connecticut putting
Special Inquiry determined that they on the aerial displays they had become
would be allowed to enter the U.S. Did famous for. They participated in July
Donato return all the way to Italy just 4th celebrations in Wallingford, Me-
to accompany his niece on her jour- riden, Southington, Bridgeport, Hart-
ney? Were other family members in- ford, and other towns. Wallingford
volved? Donato sponsored at least six fireworks were usually launched at
family members traveling from Naples the old airport on South Cherry Street
to Wallingford during the early 20th and at Doolittle Park. Celebrating the
Century. 4th was a very big deal in the first half
of the century. The town sponsored a
EMPLOYMENT AS A parade down Center Street, band con-
PYROTECHNICIAN SKIES OF SPARKLING GEMS certs, street markets, and a giant bon-
Not long after his arrival, Donato was Following are just a few of the beau- fire, followed by a huge Gammerino
hired by Michael Backes & Sons Com- tiful displays the Gammerino family fireworks display.
pany to work in their fireworks busi- designed and constructed during the

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