Charlie Britto

A Tribute to Charles Britto on February 10, 2009. 

Today would have been Charlie’s 83rd birthday.

Margarida’s Children:

  1. Mateus Dos Santos (stayed behind in Cape Verde, presumably Sao Nicloau

  2. Antonio Britto (died in a drowning accident)

  3. Serafina Britto

  4. Fermino Britto

  5. Tony (Antonio - named after the brother who died) Britto

  6. Frank Britto

  7. Charles Britto

  8. Given Britto

  9. Joseph “Jay” Britto

  10. Joaquim (Jackie) Santos

  11. John Santos

Margarita is pictured here with Serafina (standing, back right) Fermino (back, left), Tony (standing, front left), Frankie (standing, right), Charlie (in sailor’s suit), and Given (in her lap). 

By His Brother, John Santos

Charlie Britto

Charlie is in the front, on one knee kneeling, with glasses on (his granddaughter, Jacquel is behind him; I am behind her with my arm across my chest; LaVenia, his other granddaughter is on the ground, beside Gloria, his daughter). His wife, Grandma Awilda is behind him, standing, in a red shirt with glasses on, behind Jacquel, as well. His other daughter, Stephanie is behind me (you can barely see her).

Uncle John is in the back towards the right, with glasses on. Karen, Uncle Fermino’s daughter is on ground-level with a camera in her hand.

Mannie Jr. (Aunt Serafina’s son) is in the back, far right, next to John. In front of him is Given with his arm around someone and with glasses on.

Uncle Tony is in the back, standing with all white hair - in the center back. Uncle Fermino is in the back, left with his hand in his pocket, wearing a suit and tie (standing behind Peggy, Aunt Serafina’s daughter — Aunt Serafina is kneeling on the ground, in front on the left)

Charlie, the 5th born of the Britto children (really he was the 6th born of the Britto children, if you remember Antonio, who died), was the quietest of the brood. He was our mild mannered ‘Clark Kent’.  ‘Sam’, a nickname that he and his closest confidants used when addressing one another, was quiet in the same way as was Fermino.

Unlike the others in the Family these two were least likely to be involved in fisticuffs. Yet, with ’Sam’, one had to be very careful not to rile him to the point of anger.  Charlie fought in WW II in Europe versus Germany. He was injured in action, having taken a ’Jerry’ bullet, and was awarded the ‘Purple Heart’ medal for his efforts. I would guess Mom considered her self lucky in that 7 of her 8 boys served in the military and Charlie was the only one to ever sustain injury as a result.

Charlie married Grace Smith sometime in 1940’s, I think it was during the war years. From this marriage Brenda was born. Many years later, after a breakup in the marriage to Grace, Charlie brought Brenda, now a teenager, to visit Mom, who had not seen her since she was a tot.  I will never forget the look on My Mom’s face when she saw Brenda.  Mom had a look as if she had just seen someone’s twin. Those of you who have seen Brenda, in recent years, may have noticed the striking resemblance between her and my Mom. Yet, Mom was, probably, not thinking of herself, but her own Mom, whom she felt Brenda had a striking resemblance to. Life, is indeed strange.

Margarita (left) and her granddaughter, Brenda.

Years later Charlie met and married Awilda Robertson of Danville, Va. From this marriage two children-Stephanie & Gloria were born. Grace is now deceased and Brenda lives in Maryland.  Awilda still lives in Norwalk, Ct and Stephanie & Gloria live In Hartford, Ct.

Margarita holding Gloria in her arms, with Stephanie playing on the bed.

After the war years Charlie returned to Port Chester and, eventually, secured employment with Arnold Bakers, the company from which he retired.  Charlie played baseball on the semi-pro P. C. Brown Bombers in the late 1940’s. Many years later we played together on the Carver Center softball team. In the 1970’s Charlie along with Harold Hawkins, Ben Evelyn and Elijah English became owners of the ‘Diplomats’ Club, a private social club (formerly Pete’s Tavern).

Charles Carlo Britto’s draft card during World War II. He is 18 years old, born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and he lives at 6 Janes St., Port Chester, New York with his mother, Margarita Martina Neves Britto Santos.

Within a matter of a few years all of the owners also became home owners.  As a result of him being one of the owners of the Diplomats Club, Charlie and I became closer even if it was because I was the only Brother sill on the ‘night club circuit’.  ‘Sam’, you were a peaceful man who, on occasion would exhibit an explosive temper. I miss you immensely and will never forget the chats we use to have at the Diplomats, sometimes for hours.  We would discuss old ‘Family’ tales and stories of the old days.  There is no one left who understands how important that could be.  

Rest easy my Brother, and always know that, besides your own immediate Family, you have one Brother left who still thinks of you and Prays for you.

Your Brother,

John  

The Family