GLOBAL GOENKARS IN USA
Larry Ribeiro, Carlos Lopes, Mathew Ribeiro and other Goan relatives and friend during one of the many get-togethers in Peekskill, US.
NEW YORK
When a Goan moved to the US in the mid-1950s and later settled in Peekskill, a city in northwestern Westchester County which is about 56 kms north of New York city in the US, not many would have realized there would be a large and thriving Goan community in the area seven decades later.
This is the fascinating story of about 150 Goans who have settled in Peekskill and around the Hudson valley region, who trace their origins to the arrival of Lawrence ‘Larry’ Ribeiro, one of the pioneers of the Goan community, in Peekskill.
Narrating the story of her father, Wendy Ribeiro said Larry, the eldest of four siblings, was born in Agassaim, Goa on June 16, 1930.
“In his mid-20s, he went to Bombay and later proceeded to the US while working on cargo ships that ported in Brooklyn, NYC in 1956. During his travels, he met fellow Goans, Thomas Dias and Domingo Fernandes. They stayed in the Bronx and later proceeded to Montrose NY, a town adjacent to Peekskill” said Wendy.
“My dad worked in a factory known as Midtown Manufacturing as foreman for many years, helping and hiring many families and friends.”
“There, he met my mother, Carmen Vega, from Puerto Rico. My mother barely spoke English, but my father knew Spanish. My father later married her on November 21, 1964.”
Working long hours at the factory, Larry saved money and bought a three-family house in Peekskill, NY, where he was able to house many relatives and friends who he helped bring from Goa.
“He also provided them jobs at the factory and helped my mother’s family from Puerto Rico as well,” said Wendy.
Larry’s cousin, Matthew, arrived in the US in 1971 and later brought his wife Piedade in 1978.
“Matthew and Piedade also lived with my parents in the three-family house in Peekskill. After some time, Matthew brought his siblings, Santiago, Philomina, Soccorina, and their families to Peekskill. Piedade later brought her siblings to Peekskill as well.”
“My father helped other Goans, Dominic Guiao, Gillman Rebello, Anthony De Costa and Carlos Lopes, who also lived in the three-family house. Anthony later lived with Philip Fernandes in Bronx NY. Anthony then brought his parents and siblings and married Rosita, who also brought her siblings to Peekskill.”
“Natalia, my father’s youngest sister and her husband, Lino, came to the US with their sons Carlos and Jimmy Fernandes in the early 1970s where they lived with my father in the 3-family house.”
Carlos Lopes, Larry Ribeiro and Mathew Ribeiro and others in the US, who were among the early Goan settlers in Peekskill-US.
Larry’s younger brother, Constancio, came to the US in the late 1970s and later brought his wife, Albertina, and their 4 daughters, Mary, Carmen, Lina, and Melba. They too lived in the 3-family house, added Wendy.
Larry received his US citizenship on November 17, 1969, and later sold the 3-family house in Peekskill in the 1970s to buy another house in a more suburban area of the nearby town of Cortlandt Manor.
“Jeffery Campos came and lived with us in Cortlandt Manor in the early 1980s for some time also worked in the factory. Jeffery later married my cousin, Rosie, and took her to Peekskill where they lived in an apartment with their two daughters, Luisa, and Stacy. After some time, Jeffery bought a house in Cortlandt Manor,” said Wendy.
Larry’s sister Severina went to the US in 1989 and lived with Larry and his family in Cortlandt Manor for some time.
“Severina’s husband, Joao Menino Vaz and their sons Socorro, Lawrence and Mariano later joined them in the US. After 3 years, my father found an apartment for them in Peekskill,’ said Wendy.
“My paternal aunt Carmelina also came alone and lived in our house in Cortlandt Manor, until Jeffery bought his house with Rosie and their two daughters. Carmelina's other children Nicalou, Piedada and Perpetua arrived some years later with their families as well.”
“All Goans were able to work hard, save money, buy houses, and settle with their families in and around Peekskill.”
“My father was considered the pioneer of the Goan community in Peekskill, and the Greater Hudson Valley, NY. Everyone approached him for help.”
Wendy recalled that their house in Cortlandt Manor “was a beautiful three-bedroom house with a huge backyard.”
“My brothers would go with my father and cut trees down around the property, load it on his pickup truck and have the wood piled up around the whole backyard for our firewood stove to keep the house warm in the winter,” said Wendy.
“My father had a big garden with many vegetables and fruits. There were so many fruits and vegetables that everyone came and enjoyed themselves. He also planted different flowers in the front of the house and along the driveway,” Wendy added.
[From L to R]: Carlos Lopes, Anthony DCosta and Mathew Ribeiro, who were among the early Goan settlers in Peekskill-US.
Wendy said her father loved having people over.
“He would have barbecues and pig roasts during the summer for his birthday and Father’s Day. He would organize picnics at the Peekskill Riverfront and other local parks where he would load his boat and take turns giving everyone rides around the river,” recalled Wendy.
“My dad loved fishing and had various boats through the years. He would meet other Goan family friends from New Jersey on a bridge in Norwalk Connecticut and they would catch big fish and coolers full of crabs. They would come home late, my brothers and my dad would wash the boat, clean the fish and my dad would give bags of fish to the relatives.”
“He was admired for his cooking, especially fish curry, beef rib stew and Bhajias. He also loved Indian hot sausages and would make delicious omelets with them. He was also in several bowling leagues winning trophies. Daddy loved playing poker. He would invite relatives and friends over weekends to play poker around the kitchen table.”
Larry retired from the factory in the mid 1990s but stayed active working in and around the house.
“Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke in 2000. As years went by, his health decreased. On November 23, 2005, my father passed away at the age of 75,” said Wendy.
“Not a day passes that I am not reminded of all he has done for me, my family and our Goan community. Because of dad, I was able to reconnect with my Goan family and learn his history.
“His legacy lives on through his four children, Agnel, Richie, Raul and myself, his 11 grandchildren Israel, Elisha, Emmanuel, Angeles, Ezequiel, Larry, Aalihay, Danny, Alexander, Jade, Aurora and seven great grandchildren Grace, Aria, Mia, Ciryl, Emmanuel Jr, Lyric, and Priyanka.”
As the Goan community began to grow in Peekskill, a need was felt to set up a Goan association in the area to promote Goan culture and identity.
Two Goans, Carlos Lopes and Matthew Ribeiro, the cousin of Lawrence ‘Larry’ Ribeiro, took up the initiative to form the Goan Association of Peekskill, now known as Goan Community of Hudson Valley with the help of some of senior Goans.
One of the early Goan settlers in Peekskill was Carlos Lopes, who travelled to the US in February of 1972 after the persuasion of Larry Ribeiro.
Carlos was the son of Peter Antonio and Maria Agusta Lopes from Mazagaon-Mumbai, who hailed originally from Agassaim.
“Carlos worked at the Midtown Manufacturing Corporation, now known as Quality Circle Products, Inc, Montrose, New York,” said Doreen Lopes.
“While working at this company Carlos helped many newcomers by giving them jobs. At the same time, he would encourage them to move forward and find new potential.
“There were originally five guys who made up the whole Goan community in Peekskill, New York, and they gradually brought members of their families. As a result, there has been a close relationship among families, as most of them came from the same village. Birthdays, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, schools and college graduations and also weddings and picnics were occasions to look forward to. Everybody had a good time,” recalled Doreen.
She said Carlos and Larry’s cousin, Matthew, initiated the formation of the Goan Association of Peekskill, now known as Goan Community of Hudson Valley with the help of some of senior Goans.
“A lot of activities started to take place as a Goan community in Peekskill, which included the Feast of St Francis Xavier, Feast of St Lawrence, summer picnic, Christmas and New Year celebrations. It's being continued by the new members of the Association,” said Doreen
Carlos Lopes passed away on November 25, 2017, after a long period of illness, and his legacy lives on through his daughter, son and grandson.
The legacy of these early settlers from Goa lives through the community and thrives till today in celebrating feasts of our saints, St Francis Xavier, St Lawrence, Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, and also private events like weddings, anniversaries, summer picnics, communion and confirmations and even death, where the Goan community comes together both in joy and in sorrow to celebrate and share in Goa’s heritage and culture.
Today, the Goan community in the Hudson valley comprises many individuals who lead the community ensuring that Goan tradition continues in the area.
