Jacqueline M. Ruffino
My Aunt Jennie was married to my dad’s brother Orazio (Otto). Uncle Otto and my dad Antonino were born in a town named Modica, Sicily. My uncle and my dad came to America via Ellis Island when they were about 11 or 12 years old. They settled in Northern New Jersey. My Aunt Jennie and Uncle Otto lived within a few blocks of us. My two brothers and my mom and I could take a walk to their house, usually on holidays or any given day. We enjoyed our visits very much. They were good people.
Aunt Jennie and Uncle Otto decided to spend the winter months in Florida. They drove down and stayed a few months until early spring and then returned to their home in New Jersey. Yes, they were called snowbirds. No, in Florida they are called Q-Tips.
While living in New Jersey, I worked at Englewood Hospital in the operating room and spent many, many long evenings and weekends taking emergency calls for the OR. One evening my Aunt Jennie, who was a frequent and passionate card player, called and asked if I would be so kind as to sit with the husband of a very dear card playing friend who lived in Weehawken, N.J. The husband was in a hospital in Hoboken, N.J., and was quite ill and required a private duty nurse in the evenings for about two weeks. I had to decline for several reasons. For one, I was working about 40 miles from the hospital in Hoboken and was on call most every single evening covering the OR. Also, I had not done private duty for some time and felt a little rusty. My nursing intentions were to give TLC to all my patients. The long hours made me quite tired by the end of my shift.
I respected my aunt and hardly ever turned her down when she asked me for a favor. I mentioned to her there may be someone I could recommend and was happy to help a friend. Before I began my search looking for my replacement for the private duty assignment, I asked the man’s name and condition. As we spoke, she was guarded and secretive and uncertain whether to reveal any more information. Finally, she said, “Every Wednesday I play cards with Dolly Sinatra, and her husband’s name is Martin Sinatra who is ill.” Wow, wait a minute … you want me to provide private duty care, lots of TLC to Martin Sinatra for about two weeks? As a favor to my aunt Jennie who recommended me, I decided to accept the assignment myself.
What do you think I said? When and where do I start?
Once my decision was made, my first priority was to find coverage for my position at the hospital and for the OR. Then, off I went to Hoboken, N.J. I assumed the family wanted me to arrive safe, sound, and on time to attend to Mr. Sinatra. Therefore, a limo was at my disposal to and from the hospital. This gentleman received outstanding care from the hospital staff, and I was certain to provide the same as well. The experience was wonderful and exciting. Martin Sinatra was appreciative and a delightful man and always thanked me for taking care of him during his convalescence.
Martin passed on years later. His family, close friends, his physician, Aunt Jennie, my mom, and I were invited to a private showing at the funeral. The funeral took place in Fort Lee, N.J. The surrounding towns, Fairview, Cliffside Park, and Palisades Park, were all closed off because of the celebrity traffic.
He was a nice and respected man. A former fireman in Hoboken, N.J.
It was a privilege for me to take care of him for those very short weeks.
Yes, I did meet Mr. Frank Sinatra, briefly.