Giovanni D’Alessandro first appears in the Painesville, Ohio, area about 1905. In America, Giovanni D’Alessandro was known as John Alexander.
Giovanni D’Alessandro, son of Antonio D’Alessandro and Maria Donata DiCesare, was born on May 22, 1876, at Frosolone, Italy. He married Domenica Colavecchio, daughter of Giovannantonio Colavecchio and Maria Assunta Fraraccio, about 1913. Giovanni died on April 5, 1950, at his home, 344 Sanford Street, Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, at age 73, of cancer of the neck. His body was interred at St. Mary Cemetery at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio.
Giovanni D’Alessandro first immigrated to the United States on May 31, 1900, at age 24, travelling to New York City. He became a citizen of the United States on July 2, 1912. Giovanni resided at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio, when he was naturalized. Giovanni returned to Italy about 1913 to marry. He re-entered the United States on December 23, 1913, at age 37, travelling to Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. He was joining his brother-in-law, Felice Maselli, in Painesville. Giovanni D’Alessandro registered for the World War I Draft on August 12, 1918. He was living at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio. He again returned to Italy in 1919. On July 14, 1920, Giovanni, his wife, and daughter, Maria D’Alessandro, immigrate to the United States, to settle permanently in Painesville.
Mr. Alexander was employed by the Storrs and Harrison Nursery for many years. He then worked for the Lake County Road Department until he retired in 1949.
The children of Domenica Colavecchio and Giovanni D’Alessandro were as follows:
1. Maria D’Alessandro was born in 1915, at Frosolone, Italy. Maria died on December 12, 1970, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. In 1933, Maria became a nun. She belonged to the Sisters’ of Holy Humility of Mary.
2. Anthony F. Alexander was born on September 23, 1920, at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest on May 26, 1945, at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Father Alexander died on October 6, 2005, at LakeMed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, at age 85. His body was interred at Perry Cemetery at Perry Township, Lake County, Ohio.
