Love story: Husband ‘died of a broken heart’

Tue, 07/15/2008 - 3:41pm
By: John Thompson

Husband died of a broken heart

Doctors and scientists say the heart is one of the strongest muscles in the human body.

But Fayetteville’s Sam Corallo knows that one thing can tear the heart apart, no matter how strong: the end of a lifetime love affair.

On June 29, Sam’s mother, Theresa, died. Just six days later his father, Nick, died, and Sam has no doubt what killed his father.

“He died of a broken heart.”

After conducting four services and two burials within two weeks, Sam sat down Monday afternoon and reflected on his parents’ life.

The saga began shortly after World War II when Nick returned home after serving his country in the Army.

“He was in the second wave at Omaha Beach, and was on his way to the Pacific when he got the news that the Japanese had surrendered,” Sam said.

For his valor during four campaigns during the war, Nick had received two Purple Hearts and returned home to his native Chicago.

“My father’s dad had a store in a building owned by my mom’s aunt and uncle. He was seriously dating another woman, but after he met my mom, he stopped dating her and started dating my mom,” Sam said.

The two married in 1945 and started their family. The Corallos had Sam, along with his sister, Joan. Nick was an electrician for the Brach’s candy company, while Theresa was a department manager at Goldblatt’s department store. With both parents having Italian heritage, food and family were two of the prominent features of Sam’s childhood.

“My dad was a really good cook, and after he moved down here, he complained about the bread, and he eventually made his own sausage to get the taste he wanted,” said Sam.

But after the children moved out of the nest, Sam’s parents decided in the late 1980s to move south.

“They wanted to be closer to me and their grandchildren,” said Sam.

Sam’s sister eventually moved to Tyrone from California, and the whole family unit had made the transfer south. For a while, Sam’s parents stayed with him, but eventually moved into an apartment and enjoyed the quality of life that Peachtree City provided.

But Nick Corallo got tired of the apartment, and at age 86, decided he wanted to build a home. So, he contracted out the work and had his house built.

“I remember him telling my mom that this would be theirs and they could stay there the rest of their lives,” Sam said.

Corallo’s dad was a fighter and was stunned to learn in 2006 that the U.S. government did not consider him a citizen.

“My dad was shopping for his auto insurance and was at an agent’s office. The agent came back and told him he did not have a valid driver‘s license,” Sam said.

Sam said his dad showed the agent his current license, but the agent explained his license had been revoked by the state.

“Apparently, after 9/11, some laws had been passed that said my dad and others like him were not citizens,” Sam said.

Nick was born in Italy, but Nick’s dad was a naturalized citizen. For all his life, Nick defended the country, paid his taxes and drew Social Security, but suddenly he was no longer considered a citizen. For the next year, Sam and his father dealt with Homeland Security in trying to fix the problem.

“I never understood it. My father enlisted in the Army and was fighting against Italy, the country that he was born in, but that wasn’t good enough.”

Sam had to locate the ship’s manifest that sailed into Ellis Island with his dad, along with obtaining records from the military and Social Security.

“I can’t tell you how many hours I spent in waiting rooms,” he added.

But finally, last October, Nick headed to north Atlanta and was given his citizenship oath, more than 60 years after participating in the Battle of the Bulge and fighting for this country.

But with aging comes health problems, and Theresa developed Alzheimer’s, along with a host of other health issues. Nick also developed health problems, including diabetes, and both eventually moved into a room together at Ashley Glen Assisted Living Center in Fayetteville.

“My mother would have her good days and bad days. My father understood that she would forget things and keep asking the same question, but he never really understood the disease,” Sam said.

One of her best days was this past Mother’s Day, when she came to Sam’s house for five hours and enjoyed the family time. But the next day, she had a mild stroke.

“Her memories were basically erased from age 19 because of the stroke,” Sam said.

For the next two months, Theresa’s health worsened and she had to have vascular surgery. The doctors said she had only a 25 percent chance of surviving, but she made it through the surgery. But, Theresa, who had heart problems, faced a more serious problem.

“The doctor she had a valve issue and had a zero percent of surviving the surgery,” he said.

Sam had already done the preliminary paperwork involving powers of attorney and living wills. He was on a business trip to South America when he was notified he needed to return home.

“She had a do not resuscitate order, but I had to make the final call, which I did,” he said.

After the life support system was pulled, she still lived for five days, which amazed the doctors.

“She was one tough Dago, I’ll tell you that,” Sam said.

She died on June 29 and the family had a service in Peachtree City July 1. On July 2, the body was flown to Chicago, so she could be buried with the rest of her family. The family had her service on July 4 and buried her on July 5.

As Sam was getting ready to fly back to Peachtree City on July 5, he received a phone call that his father had suffered a heart attack.

“He was 90 and had never suffered one before,” Sam said.

Sam and his family hurried home, but arrived at the hospital 10 minutes after his father died.

“He always told me they were going to die together. He even mentioned that to me at my mom’s service in Peachtree City.”

So, for the second time in two weeks, Sam and his sister arranged a service in Peachtree City, and then flew his dad’s body back to Chicago to be buried next to Theresa.

During the last two weeks, the Corallos have gone through a minefield of emotions in burying their parents.

“I tell you what, they were both fighters,” Sam said.

He’s noticed that in older Italian families, if a husband dies first, the wife usually survives for a while because she has more of a social network. But when the wife dies, the husband usually follows quickly.

“He didn’t have anything else to live for. His heart was broken. He prayed to die,” said Sam, the surviving son.

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sniffles5's picture
Submitted by sniffles5 on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 12:42pm.

Very touching story. Kudos to John Thompson.

I did have to laugh about Mr. Corallo complaining about the lack of good Italian sausage down here.

I'm convinced the reason the South isn't overrun with first- or second-generation Italians is the fact that you just can't get decent Italian sausage!


Submitted by dcorallo on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:24am.

Thank you, John, for this heartwarming story of my in-laws. It touched us all that someone such as yourself would take the time and interest to write this article. Sometimes we all need to get past what is and is not "politically correct" and just feel the emotion of the story itself. Thank you again for this wonderful tribute!

Submitted by jackyldo on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 7:18am.

Great story John.
It makes one feel a bit more connected as part of the human family.

secret squirrel's picture
Submitted by secret squirrel on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 6:43am.

I saw this in the obituaries several days ago and reasoned two causes: an accident of some sort which affected both husband and wife or the loss of one spouse and the inability the other has to go on after so long together. Thanks for this write-up (though it's poor judgment to use the pejorative Italian slur). In the midst of such grief we can find inspiration. Condolences to the Corallo families.


Submitted by MYTMITE on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 7:28am.

Secret Squirrel, if you would look back at the article you would see it is Sam, the son who referred to his dad as a tough Dago, not the Citizen writer. Believe me, Italians refer to themselves and others as Dagos all the time and do not consider it insulting. Sam was speaking with pride of his father. Sometimes we just are too darn politically correct!!

secret squirrel's picture
Submitted by secret squirrel on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 8:41am.

First, my comment was that it was poor judgment to "use" the word in the article. Second, it's being read by more than just Italians and there are plenty of Italians who find the word offensive. This is an allegedly journalistic piece published in a public medium. While everyone can obviously appreciate the sentiment expressed therein, it just isn't necessary in the context of the story and, if anything, detracts from the appeal. There is no need to create this kind of argument here with bumpersticker rhetoric of "political correctness." Just appreciate the story and move on.

And when you suggest someone look back at the article and then make a point about what was written, you should have at least done so yourself: Sam was referring to his mother not his father.


Submitted by scorallo on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:33am.

Dear Secret Squirrel,

I have read the comments being made about the use of the word "Dago" in the article about my parents. John Thompson, the writer, quoted me in using the word. I am not sure if it is in bad taste using the exact quote in his article. He was reporting what I said. If anyone is guilty of using bad taste by saying "Dago" it is me. If there are any other Italian/Americans reading this or the article that are offended by me using that word, I am sorry for offending you. I don't find the word offensive and many Italians / Italian Americans use that word as an affectionate moniker.
My parents were simple people who had a lot of faith in God and family. My mother was a "Character" as the priest at her funeral refered to her in his eulogy. She was that and more. She and my dad would refer to themselves as "Dagos". They were not politically correct people. They were very genuine, honest, and kind. In fact, they taught me that if I was going to hate, to hate people one at a time. So the slang "Dago" to me is just a word and nothing bad.

John Thompson wrote a wonderful story about my parents. They would probably be embarrassed if they were alive and reading it today because they never really wanted to be in the spotlight. They wanted that for their kids and grandkids. They were in love and loved each other. They were as different as oil and vinegar...but together they made a great salad dressing.

I want to thank those who have written for their thoughts and prayers. It has been a difficult time for my sister and me and our families.

Submitted by MYTMITE on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 4:12pm.

How wonderful to have had such great parents who loved each other so much. Many people do not have the wonderful memories you and your family must have. When I first read the obituary in the paper and saw their ages and closeness of the dates of their deaths, I just knew one had just decided to join the other--to be together again. What a beautiful. beautiful story. Not a fairy tale but real people. Sounds a little like they were both characters-wonderful characters. I hope you do not mind my coming to your defense on rhe use of 'dago' and though I did misspeak since it was referring to your mother and not your father as Secret Squirrel pointed out, I knew the term was used with love and respect. Italians are proud to refer to themselves as Dagos, at least all the ones I have known (including all my family!). I will remember you and your family and especailly your parents in my prayers. You were truly blessed to have had them so long.

Submitted by scorallo on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:29am.

Dear MYTMITE

I do not mind at all you coming to my defense in the use of "Dago".

Thank you for that and for your thoughts and prayers. My parents were both characters and we will miss them very much.

Submitted by wesellptc on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 12:20pm.

Dear Corallo Family,
My sympathies to you and your family. I can relate to your loss as my sister and I, stangely enough, lost our Mom on the same day, June 29th. She lived in Florida, but was born in Sicily, and was a 'tough' old bird herself, as many of that generation and background were. She finally gave up at 92.........and in the end, we take what lessons we learn from them and move on. All the best to you and your family.

Submitted by dcorallo on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 2:55pm.

Thank you for your kind words and our sympathies to you and your family as well as you deal with the loss of your mom. Your message was right on target...we definitely have a lot to learn from the generation before us. Thank you again and let's raise a glass to moving on.

Submitted by scorallo on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 2:29pm.

Thank you for your thoughts. I am very sorry to hear you and your sister lost your Mom the same day. You are right. They live on in the lessons we learned from them and pass on to those we influence.
Our prayers are with you and your family.

Submitted by Davids mom on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:43am.

Mr. Thompson wrote a beautiful article sharing the remarkable love story of your parents. I'm grateful to him and to your family for sharing. Prayers continue.

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