Old Kenilworth – Eugene Coppola Turns 100
On March 3, 2020, Eugene Coppola, a true Kenilworth legend, turns 100 years old. He is one of six children of Amadeo “George” and Rosa Coppola, who arrived at Kenilworth about 1911. He holds the honor of being the oldest male resident ever born here to be living in town. In a February interview Gene shared many memories of his home town.
“As a boy I helped my father in his vegetable store on N. 20th St. It’s Morabito’s Pharmacy now. He and my sister Sally saw John Kennedy come into the store after the war looking for Wanda Perlowski who lived on N. 22nd St. My father drove his Model T pick-up truck to Newark to get vegetables, sold them from the store, and we delivered them to homes all over. The only paved street in town back then was the Boulevard. Except for the houses Arthur [James Arthur] built in the Park section of town there were practically no houses south of the Boulevard. Kenilworth was small; everyone knew everyone else.”
“My father was a fireman. I went with him to the Flats Fire [1927] on Passaic Ave. The building burned to the ground that winter because the fire hydrant was frozen. I went to the crash site of Jimmy Doolittle’s plane on Faitoute Ave. There was a big crowd when it happened [1929]. It wasn’t much of a secret during Prohibition where a speakeasy could be found. During the Depression marathon dances were held in the fields on Galloping Hill Road. Many boys picked water lilies behind Harding School to sell and make money for their families.”
“Kenilworth was a big baseball town for kids and young grownups. There were many ballfields. One was across the street from the McKinley School where the Methodist Church is now. When it was lunchtime just about every boy ran across the Boulevard to get in as many innings of play before the late bell rang. We didn’t always make it back on time. Small planes used to land there and later the airfield was moved up near N. 24th St.”
“I saw lots of things. Saw the Ku Klux Klan march up to the old Upsala College campus. As a teenager and in my twenties, I worked at the Kensington Riding Stables where the Wells Fargo Bank is, and also at Neville’s Stables off the Boulevard near N. 9th St. The polo matches, rodeos, and air shows drew thousands of spectators. The shoot-out at the old borough hall in 1940 caused a tremendous stir in town. Mayor [Oswald] Nitschke lived near us. When I first saw my future wife, Evelyn, I knew I wanted to marry her. We married during the war in 1943 and have a beautiful daughter. I am a very lucky man.”
Gene served in the US Army along with his two late brothers, Vincent and George “Chickie.” He served on the planning board and rescue squad, and as president of the fire department. His two living sisters are Sally (Brokaw) and Doris (Picaroni). Sisters Elmina (DeGatano) and Lucille (Pepe), passed away some years ago. His daughter, Evelyn, is married to Gary Delatush. Gene and his wife have three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Gene is well remembered for his “Gene’s Lunch” truck business which he started after retiring as a factory supervisor in town.
Research provided by Walter E. Boright, Ed. D., historian, and Historic Signs, Inc. Persons with inquiries about this or other aspects of Kenilworth history may contact Dr. Boright at drbori@aol.com or 908-256-5200.
(above) Eugene V. Coppola with daughter, Evelyn (Mrs. Gary Delatush), and his wife of 76 years, Evelyn Dodd Coppola Photo source: Historic Signs, Inc.
(above) Pfc. Eugene V. Coppola married Evelyn Dodd on November 7, 1943 while on short leave during WWII. Photo source: Coppola family
