By: Evan Gallo
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Evan Gallo
Rose Galluzzo turns 101 on Nov. 6.
Rose Galluzzo is proof that things really do get better with age.
As a cheery resident of Grand Islander Center, in Middletown, Galluzzo declares, “I like it here. I like it best when they play music. And I really like the friends I have. We have a good time. I have a lot of friends. No complaints.” On Nov. 6, 2010, Galluzzo celebrates her 101st birthday with Grand Islander’s Day of Dance, Mickey Mouse decorations and cake. Galluzzo grew up in Bristol with her two sisters and three brothers. As family in the 1910s- ’20s they would play at The Colt Farm (today known as Colt State Park) hanging around, dancing and creating timeless games. “I used to put a long, long dress on and curl my hair,” Galluzzo said. She would dance in the barn at the farm and in halls across the state-waltzing, ballroom dancing and occasionally even tapping. “I loved to dance, so I loved dance music,” said Galluzzo. “But I really enjoyed bands on the street. Street bands! They would ‘bum bum bum’ all over the place. Drums on cans, you know?” Street bands and dances aren’t Galluzzo’s only knowledge into the world of art. She reads sheet music and played piano for many years, and was taught by nuns based out of Bristol. Galluzzo fondly remembers her two major voyages as a young lady. She first traveled to Italy with her father at a young age. They spent most of their time in Geneva and because her father grew up in Italy he was very familiar with the area. “I had a grand time, I’m Italiana,” she said. Galluzzo’s second great trip was down to Florida’s own Disney World where she fell in love with roller coasters and Mickey Mouse. If asked about the adventure she’ll tell you proudly how she went on every ride she saw, and didn’t miss a single roller coaster. Her words of wisdom on Disney are clear, “Everyone should make it to Disney. Everyone should go up and down on those rides,” she said. Mickey Mouse wasn’t her only love. She met Louis Galluzzo in Brooklyn, New York during a brief stay in the area. He was a good looking Italian fellow. She reminisces about the dates they used to go on-dinner and movie or ice skating. “I would fall down on ice skates, but it was fun and I would push on,” she said. Rose and Louis were married in their 20s and moved back to Bristol to start a family. “I raised my children in Bristol, I got married in Bristol, I grew up in Bristol; but, you know, in the opposite order. Haha,” she said. Galluzzo is a grandmother of several, though she cannot honestly say that she has ever counted of how many. There is no doubt that Galluzzo will continue being a glowing representative of the Bristol, dance, Disney, Grand Islander and Italiana communities.
