Does anyone remember Florio? He was the very distinguished gentleman who ran the Rivoli theatre in the fifties and the sixties. He was such a nice man. He was very kind and extremely generous to his patrons and the community, at-large. He was always well groomed and immaculately dressed except when he would replace his suit jacket with the work smock he would wear during box office duty or providing concessions. He was friends with my parents and grandparents. He “baby-sat” me and my siblings almost every Saturday by hosting us at his movie theatre. Mom would call him to let him know we were on our way. When we reached the theatre, he would get us “settled-in” with our goodies and whatnot. Then he’d start the “first” movie. Afterwhich, he’d call my mother and let her know that we were in his care. She’d then do her weekly chores, run errands, shop for groceries, etc., without the additional burden of having to maintain her rather large flock, in tow. Given that we got “More than our money’s worth” at the Rivoli she had about 4-5 hours free to get it all done! Then, after treating us with extra goodies or movie gifts like special movie posters or small movie toys to go home, he’d call my mother to let her know we were on our way home. The “Village” was in full swing in those days, when the community took care of its own. In the late sixties, we moved to the suburbs. Still, Florio would travel out to our home on occasion to visit with us. He was a lovely man to me and my sibling, my entire family. The Rivoli Theatre and more significantly, Florio were such an integral part of my wonder years. I miss him to this day! I felt so very close to him and I never even knew his last name. If anyone knows/remembers anything about him or his family and/or his relationship with the Rivoli and/or the community, please, please, share.
Does anyone remember Florio? He was the very distinguished gentleman who ran the Rivoli theatre in the fifties and the sixties. He was such a nice man. He was very kind and extremely generous to his patrons and the community, at-large. He was always well groomed and immaculately dressed except when he would replace his suit jacket with the work smock he would wear during box office duty or providing concessions. He was friends with my parents and grandparents. He “baby-sat” me and my siblings almost every Saturday by hosting us at his movie theatre. Mom would call him to let him know we were on our way. When we reached the theatre, he would get us “settled-in” with our goodies and whatnot. Then he’d start the “first” movie. Afterwhich, he’d call my mother and let her know that we were in his care. She’d then do her weekly chores, run errands, shop for groceries, etc., without the additional burden of having to maintain her rather large flock, in tow. Given that we got “More than our money’s worth” at the Rivoli she had about 4-5 hours free to get it all done! Then, after treating us with extra goodies or movie gifts like special movie posters or small movie toys to go home, he’d call my mother to let her know we were on our way home. The “Village” was in full swing in those days, when the community took care of its own. In the late sixties, we moved to the suburbs. Still, Florio would travel out to our home on occasion to visit with us. He was a lovely man to me and my sibling, my entire family. The Rivoli Theatre and more significantly, Florio were such an integral part of my wonder years. I miss him to this day! I felt so very close to him and I never even knew his last name. If anyone knows/remembers anything about him or his family and/or his relationship with the Rivoli and/or the community, please, please, share.
Cheers!