What's His Name?

  I'm not sure just how old I was when I
found out my Dad had a different first
name than the one I was used to hearing.
  Most people called him "Tony." That
seemed logical since it was a common
nickname for somebody named Anthony.
   Except, as it turns out, my Dad's name
wasn't Anthony. Well, not exactly.
   He always signed his name Anthony B.
DeCosmo. The "B" stood for Biagio, his
"given" first name.
   Dad much preferred "Tony."
   He had a great and,in some ways,an
exciting life.
    His father passed away when my Dad
was young so he went to work very early
in life. First as a Breaker Boy where, the
story goes, he got into trouble for trying
to organize the other children workers.
    Eventually he found his way into a
movie theater and learned how to be a
projectionist. In fact he showed the
first Sound Movie (The Jazz Singer)
in Hazleton!
    It's an occupation he followed for
most, but not all, of his life.
    He was Chief Projectionist at the
Capitol Theater in Hazleton all the years
I was growing up. But the movie business
was beginning to lose audiences to
television (ironically the media that
became my profession for most of my
life).
    Seeing the writing on the wall or,
perhaps the screen, Dad used to take a
leave of absence for a few weeks each
year and would go to work in New York
City running spotlight in the old Madison
Square Garden for Ringling Brothers
Circus and Ice Capades.
     When the Capitol finally closed in
1963 he put his New York connections
to good use and started touring the
Country and Canada as a Stage Hand with
professional road companies.
     He worked with some big stars like
Jackie Gleason, Howard Keel, and Hume
Cronym to name a few. Cronym said in
all his years in Show Business the only
man he knew who never missed a cue was
Tony DeCosmo!
    Dad always had a smile on his face and
truly enjoyed life. He worked on Broadway
with Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme.
    When they played the Kirby Center he
had hoped to see them again. I had even
sent a note backstage on his behalf. When
they took off without a meeting, Dad simply
said....."Too bad. It's their loss!" He was
right! It was their loss!
     Eventually Dad found himself back in
our hometown in a "new"movie theater.
He worked it when it had a single screen.
He worked it when they split it into a two
screen theater. He even worked it after
they turned it into a five screen theater.
 At least for awhile.
     Well into his 80's Dad finally decided
it was time for others to haul the film cans
and splice the shows together. Jack Palance
was with him his final night in the
Projection Booth. They were interviewed
for TV and Dad did most of the talking!
     He passed on a year later, enjoying and
loving family, friends, rides, vacations, and
a good cigar right on up till the end!
     He left us with a treasure of love and
memories that keep him alive in our hearts
every single day!
      I know I, my son,and daughters always glance
back up towards the Projection Booth when
we go to the movies. There's always the
feeling that he's right there with us, probably
trying to make sure the scene is in focus and
the sound is turned up!
      His birth certificate read "Biagio." He
signed his name "Anthony." Most people
just called him "Tony." I was lucky. I got
to call him Dad!
       Hope your memories are wonderful
too and that all your NEWS is good!