New Yorker of the Week

JunMon 2010 Filed in: New Yorker of the Week

“Pop”

Craft: A driver for J & R
Lives: Brooklyn
Why we think he’s cool: At 93 years old he’s still doing his thing!
Where to find him: Eating a slice at Grimaldi’s
Interview by: José

So Tim and I decided to venture into the J & R music store, where we purchased a brand new television. We asked for a delivery and they told us to head outside to a white van and ask for "Pop." 30 seconds into the drive I knew I had to hit the record button. We were five minutes from our destination and I had to work fast...

Jose: So they call you Pop?
Pop: [In a thick Italian accent] Yeah, that’s what they call me. It seems to be easier than calling me by my real name, Albert.

J: I like Pop. So were you born in New York?
P: I was born in Brooklyn. Do you know how old I am?

J: I have no idea...80?
P: 93 years-old! I was born in 1917.

J: That’s incredible. Have you been in New York the whole time?
P: Are you kidding? I was in World War II from 1939-1944. I tell you, I traveled the world. I’ve been to France, Japan, North Africa, Germany--everywhere. You know where the best girls come from? Natal, Italy.

J: I’ll have to look into that. There aren’t many of you left.
P: 16 million people served in the war. There’s only 2 million of us left living today.

J: What’s your secret?
P: You want to know what my secret is? I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my life! Not one. I never drank neither. No cigarettes. No booze.

J: What about food?
P: [Pops accent gets thicker] Well, I’m not a doctor or scientist, but I believe the longevity comes from the food we eat. All my life all I used to eat was veal, chicken and fish. No beef, no pork, no frankfurters - and no fast food! Do you know all the chemicals they use in their food? Loaded! I also eat fresh cooked vegetables - not out of a can. [he gets to a red light and turns to show us his smile while rubbing his teeth].

J: Wow! Are they really all yours?
P: Every single one of them!
[guy cuts him off] “Stronzo!!” You know what that means? It means piece of shit!

J: [laughs] So New York must’ve been a different place when you were a kid.
P: Oh boy. We had none of this nonsense. There were no cars on the street, that’s for sure. You know what there was? Horses and wagons. I’m telling you, it was beautiful!

J: I bet. Are there any restaurants out there you would recommend?
P: What? Speak up. I’m deaf in the left ear from the war.

J: Oh, sorry. Restaurants...any you would recommend?
P: Restaurants? They’re pricey, all these damn restaurants. I’d go to Bleecker and Sullivan. A place called Angelo’s. I don’t like Mulberry Street - that’s a first-class tourist trap. You want best pizza in New York? You gotta go under the Brooklyn Bridge to a place called Grimaldi’s. Best pizza in all of New York.

J: I’ll have to check it out.
P: Want to hit a pretty good restaurant with good wholesome food? A cousin of mine owns a restaurant called Puglia on Hester Street. When his great grandfather came he named it after the place he came from - Puglia. You tell them Albert sent you over and ask for Benji. That’s my second cousin.

J: Last question. What’s the craziest job you’ve ever had?
P: Craziest? I’ve had a lot. I owned a gas station. Never drank - owned a liquor store. I’ll tell you - for eight years from ‘47-55 I served in the police department down on Delancey. Then they shipped me over to Brooklyn. Six days a week for $65 a week. What, are they fuckin’ crazy? Paying me $10 a day to carry a gun to get myself killed. But I’m good now doing these deliveries. [pulling up to our place] Alright boys, here you are.

J: Thanks Pop. Well you look happy. It was great talking to you. Thank you so much.
P: Alright, be good and don’t forget to check out Puglia’s.

Tags: Jose, new yorker, Interview