Sol’s Texaco

By Anthony Nesci

Sol’s Texaco is a moving memoir set in the Italian-American neighbourhood of Larchmont, an affluent New York City suburb, in the early 1960s. Through the eyes of Tony, a young boy growing up in a close-knit community, the story revolves around a local gas station, Sol’s Texaco, which becomes a central hub of life lessons, adventures, and the awakening of a young boy to the realities of the world around him.

Through vivid anecdotes, Tony shares his experiences of friendship, baseball, and the trials of youth under the mentorship of Sol, the gas station owner, and Linroy, who both set Tony right when it came to racism and made a man out of him. The memoir beautifully captures the essence of childhood, the struggles of fitting in, and the importance of tolerance and community spirit. Raised in shadow of Italian mobsters, this book delves into the ingrained racial prejudices of the time, showing how these are often imparted in early childhood by those closest to us, but also offers a message of hope and responsibility: even those shaped by such a situation can rise above it and become mentors, helping to create a more just and understanding world.

As Tony navigates the complexities of racial and cultural differences, he dreams of escape and self-discovery, his path intertwined with music and the allure of distant Australia. Sol’s Texaco is more than just a story about a boy and a gas station; it’s a heartfelt journey through the formative years of a young life, shaped by the people and places that leave an indelible mark on one's identity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jun 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9781035851140

Anthony Nesci

Born in metro New York City in 1951, the author is the second of five in a first-generation Italian-American family steeped in the strictest of parochial schooling. The affluent Westchester suburb of Larchmont was not only his early home but was also the setting where this first of many true-to-life memoirs takes place. Today, as a Nashville recording artist, the Woodstock attendee also lives on a hideaway rainforest property near Australia’s Gold Coast, spending his time immersed in his music and writing his memoirs. Three sons are his treasures.

Book preview

Sol’s Texaco

Anthony Nesci

Austin Macauley Publishers

Sol’s Texaco

About the Author

Dedication

Copyright Information ©

Acknowledgement

Epilogue

About the Author

Born in metro New York City in 1951, the author is the second of five in a first-generation Italian-American family steeped in the strictest of parochial schooling. The affluent Westchester suburb of Larchmont was not only his early home but was also the setting where this first of many true-to-life memoirs takes place. Today, as a Nashville recording artist, the Woodstock attendee also lives on a hideaway rainforest property near Australia’s Gold Coast, spending his time immersed in his music and writing his memoirs. Three sons are his treasures.

Dedication

There’s my Big Brother, Vince. Thanks for bearing with your hippy brother!

Eugene, Anson and Kendall…the treasures of my life.

Sadly, Larchmont police officer, Arthur DeMatte was killed in the line of duty on October 12th, 1976. Artie was a good soul and set me right on many occasions. Gone way too soon, way too soon.

My truest dedications have to go to Solomon Press and Linroy Stevens.

Copyright Information ©

Anthony Nesci 2024

The right of Anthony Nesci to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

All of the events in this memoir are true to the best of author’s memory. The views expressed in this memoir are solely those of the author.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035851126 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035851140 (ePub e-book)

ISBN 9781035851133 (Audiobook)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Well, as much as I poked fun at the Dominican nuns at St Augustine’s Grammar School in Larchmont… I really do need to thank them for my love of the English language.

As I searched for distant memories for this literary work, I cannot think of anyone better to thank for giving me the background on our old neighbourhood than Anita Toso! (Yep… your mum grew some great tomatoes!)

That bicycle was my salvation. It could take me away from where I didn’t want to be. The glide down Harrison Drive hill brought a blast of cooling, soothing air over my face. The harder I pedalled, the quicker I went, gravity making it all the faster. It made the sting go away. I soon forgot about my lot in life. But none of that mattered, now; it was the first day of summer vacation. It was finally here. I didn’t have to worry about St Augustine’s School until sometime in September. Blue sky, not a cloud around, but sticky…like every summer in Larchmont. Keeping my arms bowed outward also kept the wind passing up and through the short sleeves of my T-shirt. Nobody could take that last curve this fast on a bike, either. But I could! Some days, being eleven was great! I was now even old enough to try out for the Little League. The Green Demons. Being on that team would be great.

Cut quickly to the left, just missing the edge of Spano’s kerb, and onto Sherwood Drive. The flash of my knees pumped me to Winan Street, now right and up that one block to The Boston Post Road. The world was out on the Post Road. You could smell