Francesco ('Frank') D'Amato

Frank D'Amato (Damato) was born on 5 May 1885 in Castel San Lorenzo (Salerno). He had a brother, Nicola. Like many in his generation, D'Amato's schooling was truncated (one census return indicates that he only made it to 2nd grade, and his signature on forms supports this.) due to the need to go to work.

He married Nancy (Annunziata) Angelino (1898, Castel San Lorenzo, Salerno –; arr. in the USA in 1911); their son, Charles Gerard Damato was born on 24 April 1914, in Ellwood City, PA (d. 11 February 2008, Hemet, CA, see below)

Prior to moving the the USA (if we are to believe his memory of the ship name he came over on), he gave his last residence as in San Costantino Albanese, an Arbëreshë town in prov. Potenza. He arrived in the USA in 1909 (27 May, on the Prinzess Irene), and took up work as a labourer at Forge Works. By 1920, they were living on Line Street, Ellwood City, PA.

D'Amato was converted to pentecostalism at the age of 38 at a meeting in Ellwood City, where he received witness from prayer of 15-year-old boy saying grace before dinner. This caused him to think: "This young man thanks God for His food and I, a 38-year-old man, eat without any thought of God". Impressed, he was convicted, and converted. A few months later (in 1923) he was baptized in the Holy Spirit (possibly through the ministry of Umberto Gazzeri, q.v., who was invited to come to Ellwood City by Nancy Damato), and shortly after was called into ministry by audible voice. He initially resisted because his sense of inadequacy, but yielded after confirmation by manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

On 24 May, 1923, D'Amato felt led of God to go to New Brighton, PA, where he undertook evangelism. He led the first CCNA services held there on 30 May 1923. He became a key figure in planting CCNA churches at Beaver Falls, PA (August 1924); Youngstown, Ohio (February 1925), West Pittsburgh, PA (August 1925). New Castle, Pennsylvania (April 1926); Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, (1928). From 1924-1933 he pastored at New Brighton, PA and Beaver Falls, PA, during which time they were living at 903 10th Street, New Brighton. Like many pastors of small, poor Italian congregations, he continued to work - now as a fireman. Interestingly enough, on his naturalization certificate, one of his witnesses was Anthony Tedeschi.

In 1933 he accepted the pastorship of a group of Italians meeting in Akron, Ohio. In August 1937, Damato formally constituted a new Church at 222 James Street. Among his earliest public events was the burial of local shoemaker, Joseph Crisafulli (b. c. 1886, Casalvecchio Siculo, ME; m. Lucia 'Lucy' nee Cussio from Antillo, ME), whose family were an important part of the community (known at first as First Italian Christian Church). Damato served as pastor there for the next 21 years. He was succeeded by Joseph's son, Charles F. Crisafulli (26 Apr 1921, Fulton NY- 3 Aug 2010).

Served as Northwestern District Overseer for the CCNA for nine years. By the time of his death in Detroit, in August 1966, he had been in ministry for 43 years.

Broader family:

Charles G. Damato (d. Hemet, CA; buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park) married Mimi Di Ceglio (28 Aug 1916 -26 Dec 1990; in a civic wedding on 23 August 1934 in Akron), the daughter of Gennaro Di Ceglio (b. Bari, Italy; d. 21 Sept 1979) and Rose MacGall, and had a number of children, including

• James - predeceased Charles.

• Nancy, married Rev. Randy Jones, for many years the pastor of Valle Vista Assemblies of God Church in Akron. (The Bridge Ministry)

• Charles G. "Chuck" and Rosemarie of Thousand Oaks

• Francis and Marlene of San Jacinto,

• Joe and Becki, of Orange County

• Jerry and Kathy, of Orange County

• Thom and Vicki of Orange County

Mimi Di Ceglio Damato's sister was Mrs Lee Mazzie of PA; and she had three brothers:

• Frank, Erie PA.

• Orlando, Talmadge

• Joseph P, Akron, OH.

Sources.

Bongiovanni, G., Pioneers of the Faith (Farrel, PA: Sound Ministries, 1971)

'Damato, Charles G.,' Obituary, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ohio/name/charles-damato-obituary?id=27545726

'Di Ceglio, Gennaro', Obituary, The Akron Beacon Journal 22 Sep 1979: 26