Maltese Brothers Bring Factory Fire to Life
The infamous fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory in Manhattan happened in 1911. While that’s a long time ago, the devastating event, which claimed the lives of 146 workers in a matter of minutes, was recently brought to life for dozens of J. Taylor Finley Middle School students during a visit by former New York State Senator Serphin Maltese and his brother, Vincent.
The guests were invited to Finley by English teacher Kim Schiller. She has studied the tragic Triangle fire for years and participated in commemorative events led by the brothers at the Lower East Side site. Each year, Ms. Schiller has her classes read the novel, “Ashes to Roses,” about the immigrant experience in New York, including factory work and the deadly blaze.
The students gathered in the school library for the special event, along with several parents and Huntington School Board member Emily Rogan. The Maltese brothers invited the teenagers to view photos of their grandmother and aunts, who all perished in the Triangle fire, as well as their grandfather, Serafino. The family immigrated to America from Italy.
Family Cut in Half
During a 30-minute presentation, the Maltese’s spoke about their family before and after the horrendous fire. “Senator Maltese explained that the death of his grandmother and her two young daughters, only 14 and 18 years old, was an unbelievable and tragic loss for the family,” Ms. Schiller said. “It literally cut the family in half. Their father was only six years old when the tragedy took place, but after that devastating event, he and his older brother had to pitch in and help their father survive financially and emotionally alone in America.
The family’s story is similar to that of many immigrants. Their grandfather arrived in America first with their two sons, then after working and saving money, he sent for his wife, Catarina and their daughters, Lucia, 18, Rosarea, 14, and Maria, 5. On the trip to America, Maria became very ill and died at Ellis Island Hospital shortly after arriving. The rest of the family carried on to live out the American dream, despite the devastating loss. Then, the fire broke out.
“Senator Maltese recalled growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, not far from the site of the fire, and he remembered how his Jewish and Italian neighbors always had a vivid memory of the tragic fire, despite the passing of 30 years,” Ms. Schiller said
As they grew up, the brothers realized how much courage and strength it took for their grandfather, father and uncle to carry on in the face of such a terrible tragedy and they were amazed. “They also learned that Serafino, their grandfather, was unable to identify their grandmother, Catarina, after the fire until he saw her wedding ring among the effects a year later,” Ms. Schiller said. “She was already buried in a plot of unknown victims of the fire. He had her body exhumed and reburied in the family plot.”
Students were Intrigued
Capturing and keeping the attention of eighth graders can be a challenge, but the students found the Maltese story to be both heartbreaking and compelling. The teenagers were intrigued and amazed to hear the first-hand family account.
“Serphin and Vincent were open, honest and candid with the students,” Ms. Schiller said. “It was an absolute honor to have them visit our school and tell their story this way. It shows the students that a memory does not die and instead it should be carried on through passed-down stories, literature, artwork, music, film, etc. I want the students to perpetuate the memory of all those lost on that tragic day. I want them to know that they can make a difference through remembrance and never letting something so tragic happen again. It was a wonderful opportunity for my students to see history come to life and I am so happy that had this chance.”
Probing Questions Asked
The Maltese’s entertained questions near the end of their presentation. Justin Sandoval asked about the elevator operator who courageously stayed on the job during the roaring fire in the Triangle factory. Tim Beck queried about the building’s other floors (the Triangle factory occupied only the top three floors) and how they were affected. One student inquired about the Maltese family’s history and asked if the brothers had traveled to Italy.
“The students have done a beautiful job memorializing the tragedy with a collage of work in my classroom,” Ms. Schiller said. “They wrote poems and drew illustrations inspired by the Maltese story, the novel, ‘Ashes of Roses,’ and the quote by Francis Perkins - ‘. . . a never to be forgotten reminder of why I had to spend my life fighting conditions that could permit such a tragedy . . .’”
Natalie Lanzisero, the Finley student council’s eighth grade vice-president and Cynthia Gowani, eighth grade secretary, presented the Maltese’s with Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of the pair’s efforts to keep alive the memory of the victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire.
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