Model Blocks - Home Sweet Home
Ernest Sanders
Published: October 22, 2006
Gene & Peggy Figliulo stand in front of their bungalow at 7700 South Throop Street
Photo: Figliulo Family
When the Figliulos walked into the 7700 S. Throop Street model block bungalow, no one was aware that they were the former owners of the home during the 1950s and 1960s. As they entered, ears were attentive as they began to speak about their amazing rite of passage in their family home of forty years ago. Immediately, Gerry Guerrero, a representative from the Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative, informed Carlos Nelson, Executive Director of GADC that the former owners were here to see the breathtaking enhancements to their home.
Infatuated by the charm and warmth their home still exhibited some 50 years later, in addition to the contemporary green enhancements, the Figliulos began to share many stories with visitors participating in the Open House. Such stories included: their old phone number Hudson 3-7806, roller skating in the basement, neighborhood gatherings, and laundry techniques to include hand ringer washing and clothespin drying in the back yard. Jim (son) said their phone number was easy to remember as they mimicked the TV carpet commercial, Hudson 3-2700.
Other stories included Rob (son) hanging from a pipe and jumping into a pile of laundry and running into the brick front porch leaving a life-long memory etched on his head, Jim attending Quigley South High School with Fr. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church, little league baseball games at the park on 77th & Racine, an explanation of how the house was originally heated with a coal furnace and later upgraded to an oil burner, their grandfather building an additional bathroom in the basement to accommodate eleven, and also his restoration of the two stained-glass windows in the living room.
Former seminarians Jim Figliulo and Fr. Mike Pfleger reunite inside of St. Sabina Church.
Photo: Rob Figliulo
Those living in the Figliulos' home included the three oldest boys—Jim, Steve and Don. Rob was born in 1954, followed by John, Jeanne, David and Mark. Michael Cymbala (cousin) came to live with the Figliulos in 1964. That made eight boys and one girl and two very busy, loving and caring adults all living together happily ever after.
The Figliulos’ stories and reunion did not end here. Another visitor to the South Throop, model blocks home tours, Mrs. Maureen White and her daughter Kathleen entered the model home when she saw her best friend Peggy Figliulo (wife & mother).
Mrs. White and her family lived in a brick 2-flat up the street at 7639 South Throop, 40 years ago. Immediately the ladies were misty-eyed and emotional as they both read about the Model Blocks tours in the Chicago Tribune newspaper and had not told each other of their expected visit to the home. You see these ladies have remained best friends and still talk everyday. So for them to see each other at the Open House was a delightful moment.
As Figliulos and Whites were leaving the model home, Michael (cousin) began to share his memories as he lived with the Figliulos for an extended period of time. Mrs. Figliulo also shared with others that Mr. Figliulo (husband) and herself sold their home for $16,400 dollars. When asked why, Mrs. Figliulo said, “We outgrew our home and our experiences were very pleasant. We wanted to pass our happy moments along to the next owners of the home.”
Whites and Figliulos stand in front of White's home at 7639 South Throop Street
Photo: Figliulo Family
The two families then sauntered up the street to view the White’s former home, all the while beaming with pride and excitement as they admired the beauty of the well-kept homes with tidy lawns which epitomizes this neighborhood they once lived.
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