ANGELO AMARANTO:
1. Opportunity
Perceived
When the World Trade Center became a part of Manhattan's
jagged skyline in 1973, Angelo Amaranto saw opportunity.
He left his job as a janitor at the Nasdaq and went to
work at the twin towers in the same capacity. "He told me
the pay was better and if they took him, he would have to
work nights for a little while," said his wife, Maria.
"He said it was worth it because it was a better
building. He switched to days after two years or so. He
loved those buildings."
Mr.
Amaranto, 60, of Borough Park, Brooklyn, worked on the
87th, 89th and 91st floors of 2 World Trade Center, said
his daughter, Rosanna. A native of Salerno, a city in
southern Italy, Mr. Amaranto loved to provide for his
family. He had three grown children. "He showed his love
through work and buying gifts," said his daughter, who
lives upstairs in the family's house. "He loved to buy
apple juice for the kids and sometimes he would call one
of my nieces to put it away. `Sara, I have a job for
you.' I keep waiting to for him to walk in the door and
say that."
2. Keeping Track of
Leo
Every afternoon, Angelo Amaranto would arrive home in
Borough Park, Brooklyn, from his job in the maintenance
department at the World Trad Center, grab a cup of
espresso, and park himself in front of the
television.
Mr. Amaranto, 60, was crazy about his cable TV,
particularly the Italian news program and, on competing
channels, the daily astrology reports: he surfed between
the two shows, looking for the most positive spin on Leo
the lion.
"I always made fun of him for watching that horoscope
stuff," said Maria, his wife of 39 years, "but he loved
it." He also loved the job he held for 31 years; their
shared hometown, Salerno, Italy; and her. He moved to New
York in 1955 but went back to Salerno to marry Maria in
1962. They have three children, and thanks to them, three
grandchildren whom he delighted in spoiling with toys and
Disney videos. A bargain hunter, Mr. Amaranto did much of
the grocery shopping, but he left the marinara sauce to
his wife. "Angelo loved to eat," she said. "Angelo loved
life. I don't know what we're going to do without
him."
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