Person Page - 252

     James Stellini was born on 18 July 1961 in San Francisco, CA, USA. He married Deborah (?)
     James Stellini was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2010. He was living in 2022.

     Joseph P. Agius was born on 9 March 1945 in Rabat, Malta. He married Lina Azzopardi, daughter of Emanuel G. Azzopardi and Mary Vella, on 28 January 1967 at San Francisco, CA, USA; also March 18, 1967.
     Joseph P. Agius was naturalized on 17 February 1954. He was living in 1996 in San Bruno, CA, USA. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1996. He and Lina Azzopardi were living in 2019 in 127 Cypress Ave, San Bruno, CA, USA.

     Charles Agius was born on 28 January 1922 in Malta. He married Carmella (?) Charles Agius died on 30 October 1984 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 62. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, CA, USA.
     Charles Agius was also known as Carmello Agius.
Obituary: on 31 October 1984: AGIUS. Carmello in this city. Oct 30. 1984, clearly beloved husband of Carmelia Agius: devoted father of Mary Tanti, Felicia Leslie. John, Joseph and Philip Agius; adored grandfather of Dean, Darren and David Tanti, Kimberley and Daniel Agius and Jeremy and Kevin Leslie; loving brother of Mary and Pauline Micallef and Grace Borg; a native of Malta; age 62 years; a Member of the American Maltese Club.

     John Agius was born on 12 May 1944 in Rabat, Malta. He died on 27 February 2019 at CA, USA, at age 74; East Bay.
     He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1964. He began military service at Vietnam Vietnam Vet.
John Agius John Agius is the brother-in-law of Gillu's wife's sister, whose name is Lina Azzopardi Agius.

     Rochetta Ann Zolfarelli was born circa 1933. She married Joseph Michelcharles Vella, son of Sam Vella and Annetta (Netta) Cauchi, in 1958.
     Her married name was Vella.

     Laura Vella was born on 27 January 1963 in San Francisco, CA, USA.

     Mark J. Vella was born on 22 April 1969 in San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Celeste Vella was born on 7 August 1965 in San Francisco, CA, USA.

     Orlando Emmanuel Caruana was born on 23 June 1844 in Valletta, Malta. He died on 14 September 1917 at Washington, DC, USA, at age 73. He was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC, USA. Biography Private Orlando Emanuel Caruana (June 23, 1844 – September 14, 1917) was a Maltese-born American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Caruana received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of New Bern in North Carolina on 14 March 1862 and the Battle of South Mountain in Maryland on 14 September 1862. He was honored with the award on 14 November 1890.

Caruana was born on 23 June 1844 in Valletta in the British Crown Colony of Malta. Claiming to be 20 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army from New York City in August 1861. He received the Medal of Honor for two actions. The first was on 14 March 1862 during the Battle of New Bern when he took the battle flag from the wounded color bearer, helping off the battlefield. The second was on 14 September that same year when he, along with three other men, volunteered to scout out the enemy's position in Maryland during the Battle of South Mountain. The other three men were killed but he managed to escape and rejoin his company. He was discharged from the 51st New York Infantry in September 1864.
Medal of Honor citation: At New Bern, North Carolina, brought off the wounded color sergeant and the colors under a heavy fire of the enemy. Was one of four soldiers who volunteered to determine the position of the enemy at South Mountain, Md. While so engaged was fired upon and his three companions killed, but he escaped and rejoined his command in safety.




ORLANDO EMANUEL CARUANA: AN AMERICAN CIVIL WAR HERO AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR* by
Dan Brock
Saturday, September 14th marks the 102nd anniversary of the death of Orlando E. Caruana whose remains were interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC. He had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1890 for his two acts of courage and heroism 28 years earlier. Until recently nothing was known about Orlando’s early life by his descendants and others generally other than that he was born in Valletta, Malta on June 23, 1844. An email to Charles Said-Vassallo of Australia revealed that, in his Caruana data base, Orlando turned out to be one of 13 known children of Dr. Emmanuele Caruana, a Valletta lawyer and his wife, the former Francesca Cassar Desain. The Caruana ancestry, in turn, has been traced back directly to Nicola Caruana who, in 1433, married Perona Fanata.
Returning to Orlando, the next documentary evidence we have of him is the fact that he boarded the Europa in Malta and was one of only two cabin passengers who arrived on board the brig in New York Harbor on July 29, 1858. He had given his age as 18, when he was in fact only 14, and his occupation back in Malta as a clerk.
He is on the passenger list for the brig Europa, July 29, 1858.

Orlando was living in a boarding house with 25 others, in the 16th ward of the 3rd district of New York City at the time of the 1860 federal census taken in June and gave his age as 17 and occupation as a clerk. Also living in this boarding house was Stephen B. Caruana with his wife Elmira and daughter Carrie. Stephen, an importer, was born in Malta, about 1825, and had immigrated to New York, on board the brig Dussan, in July 1838. Whether Stephen and Orlando were related is presently unknown.
We next hear of Orlando when, at the actual age of 17, while still in New York, he enlisted, on August 7, 1861 for a term of three years, in the Union Army, saying his age was 20. In October, he was posted as a second sergeant to Company K, under Captain Thomas Phillips, in the newly-raised 51st New York Regiment. Orlando’s unit was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 9th Army Corps, “The Wandering Corps.”
In his obituary, Caruana is said to have later been “promoted to first sergeant” and while he is described as a private upon receiving the Medal of Honor, there is no question but that he was a second sergeant in Company K in October 1861. The Union troops under General Ambrose Burnside captured the strategic Roanoke Island, off the North Carolina coast, on February 7-8, 1862, thereby secu-ring control of the region. Among those engaged in this battle was Orlando Caruana of the 51st New York Infantry, who was later described as a private. On March 14th, in the Battle of New Bern, North Carolina, Company K, of the 51st New York Infantry, attacked along the railway line. Suddenly the company found itself in a clearance looking straight into nearby Confederate redans. The Confederates opened fire on the exposed Yankees, yet the 51st advanced and returned fire but took heavy casualties. During this exchange, the color sergeant was wounded and fell. Pvt. Caruana seized the regimental flag and helped the color sergeant off the battlefield. The Battle of New Berne had cost the 51st one officer, Captain David R. Johnson, and 18 enlisted men killed and four officers, including Lieutenant Colonel Robert B. Potter and 64 enlisted men, wounded. It was the greatest loss of any regiment in the battle. Caruana was at the Battle of the Second Bull Run in Prince William County, Virginia on August 28th-30th of the same year.
The Battle of South Mountain was fought September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign. Three pitched battles were fought for the possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton’s, Turner’s, and Fox’s gaps. The Union Army of the Potomac commanded by Major General George B. McClellan needed to pass through these gaps in pursuit of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army of Northern Virginia. Despite being significantly outnumbered, Lee’s army delayed McClellan’s advance for a day before withdrawing.
During the battle, Pvt. Caruana was one of four soldiers who volunteered to scout and determine the position of the enemy and their movements at Fox’s Gap. Caruana was engaged, fired upon by the enemy and wounded and his three companions were killed, but he managed to escape, rejoin his command in safety and bring back vital information.
Three days later, on September 17th, Caruana took part in the Battle of Antietam, Maryland. This day has been remembered as “the bloodiest day in American history. The 51st Regiment of New York, with the 51st Pennsylvania, made the historic charge by storming Burnside’s Bridge. June and August 1863 found Caruana “on invalid detachment” in Washington, DC. The last battle in which Caruana is known to have participated was the Battle of the Wilderness, on May 5-7, 1864 in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Here, he was wounded in the last charge made on the rifle pits at the Spotsylvania Court House.
Having served his three-year term, Private (some sources say Sergeant) Caruana was “mustered out” of the Army on September 6 (some sources say 7), 1864.
Orlando E. Caruana, his baptismal name appears to have been Emmanuel Orlando Caruana, was awarded the Medal of Honor on November 14, 1890.
This Medal was introduced for the Navy in 1861 and was soon followed by an Army version in 1862. This highest and most prestigious personal military decoration which may be awarded to United States military service members who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor saw a total of 1,522 such 11 medals, some 40 percent of those given out to date, awarded to those who were engaged in the American Civil War.
The citation for Caruana’s is as follows:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Orlando Emanuel Caruana, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 14 March 1862, while serving with Company K, 51st New York Infantry, in action at New Bern, North Carolina. Private Caruana brought off the wounded color sergeant and the colors under a heavy fire of the enemy. He was one of four soldiers who volunteered to determine the position of the enemy at South Mountain, Maryland on 14 September 1862. While so engaged was fired upon and his three companions killed, but he escaped and rejoined his command in safety.

A Medal of Honor Certificate was issued to Caruana on May 12, 1914. After the War, Orlando E. Caruana became a clerk in the War Department in Washington, DC.
While living in Washington, he was active in several veteran organizations. He was a member of Lincoln Post, No. 3, Department of the Potomac, GAR (Grand Army of the Republic), adjutant of the Encampment No. 69, Union Veterans’ Legion of Washington, DC and of the “Old Guard,” also of Washington. By 1906 he was commander of John A. Rawlins Post No. 1, Department of the Potomac. Orlando married Francis Marion “Fanny” Harvey, in Washington, on February 16, 1865. Their first child, Madaline Sophia “Lilly,” was born in November 1866, followed by Mortimer Emanuel in September 1873, a daughter in September 1880 and Edgar Ermonia in July 1885.
Fanny died on December 19, 1891 and, on 1896 Orlando married Mary Catherine Fullerton. Orlando E. Caruana died in New York City on Sep-tember 14, 1917, at the age of 73. His funeral was held at St Martin’s Church and he was buried in plot section 3, lot 33, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC

*I wish to thank Charles Said Vassallo for providing the link between Orlando Caruana and his Caruana ancestors, Danny Conroy for the documentary material he has unearthed relating to Orlando and Gregg Knapp, a direct descendant of Caruna, for sharing information on Orlando’s children. Among the many fine references to Caruana in the States wish to particularly note that by Denis Darmanin which originally appeared in the December 7, 2014 issue of The Sunday Times of Malta.
     He began military service in 1861 American Civil War; Union soldier. Research: Not Bay Area Maltese; Maltese Medal of Honor.

     History of Maltese Searching SF Chronicle database for "Maltese" brings up:
in 1910s, Maltese crosses and cats;
in 1920s, Maltese cats; almost exclusively hundreds of notices related to "Maltese Soccer Club"
between 1931 and 1940, when they then stop, until starting back around 1946, as the "Maltese Americans"; in 1951 it becomes the "Maltese Club" again;
in the 1940s, search results target "Maltese Falcon" film, Maltese dogs, and racing horses with "Maltese" in their name, (i.e. Maltese Flag, Maltese Bunny, Maltese Falcon, Maltese Charlie, Maltese Gypsey).
Starting in 1970s number of articles about political situation on island of Malta; articles by Joseph Scicluna of Malta Times

In SF Chronicle history, most use of "Maltese" is in references to Maltese dogs and "Maltese Falcon" film between 1910 and 1950. Research: 1978 Newspaper article about Maltese in San Francisco, CA in 1978. Research. Research.
History of Maltese.
History of Maltese.
Doctors Maltese American. Research: Not Bay Area Maltese; Maltese Medal of Honor. Research: Maltese operatic tenor. Research: Maltese born American film star.

     Research: Maltese in American Revolution (?). Research: Recast the Liberty Bell. Research. Research: A mention was made of the Maltese contribution to the American Revolution: Malta sent 1800 sailors with the French Fleet that decisively defeated the British fleet, at the Battle of Chesapeake Bay, with the consequence that the British troops at Yorktown could not be evacuated. So Malta contributed to the origin of the United States. At war’s end, Benjamin Franklin as Ambassador to France had a special commemorative medal struck for Grand Master Rohan, which can be seen at the Heritage Malta Museum in Valletta. Ben Franklin's letter to Rohan is preserved in Philadelphia by the American Philosophical Society. See:

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2011-07-03/news/the-knights-of-maltas-pivotal-role-in-the-american-revolutionary-war-295053.

     Biography The bell first cracked when rung after its arrival in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell.
Two local founders, John Pass and John Stow, offered to recast the bell. Though they were inexperienced in bell casting, Pass had headed the Mount Holly Iron Foundry in neighboring New Jersey and came from Malta that had a tradition of bell casting. Stow, on the other hand, was only four years out of his apprenticeship as a brass founder. At Stow's foundry on Second Street, the bell was broken into small pieces, melted down, and cast into a new bell. The two founders decided that the metal was too brittle, and augmented the bell metal by about ten percent, using copper. The bell was ready in March 1753, and Norris reported that the lettering (that included the founders' names and the year) was even clearer on the new bell than on the old.
Two Philadelphia foundry workers named John Pass and John Stow were given the cracked bell to be melted down and recast. They added an ounce and a half of copper to a pound of the old bell in an attempt to make the new bell less brittle. For their labors they charged slightly over 36 Pounds.

Liberty Bell
The new bell was raised in the belfry on March 29, 1753. "Upon trial, it seems that they have added too much copper. They were so teased with the witticisms of the town that they will very soon make a second essay," wrote Isaac Norris to London agent Robert Charles. Apparently nobody was now pleased with the tone of the bell.

Pass and Stow indeed tried again. They broke up the bell and recast it. On June 11, 1753, the New York Mercury reported, "Last Week was raised and fix'd in the Statehouse Steeple, the new great Bell, cast here by Pass and Stow, weighing 2080 lbs."

In November, Norris wrote to Robert Charles that he was still displeased with the bell and requested that Whitechapel cast a new one.

Upon the arrival of the new bell from England, it was agreed that it sounded no better than the Pass and Stow bell. So the "Liberty Bell" remained where it was in the steeple, and the new Whitechapel bell was placed in the cupola on the State House roof and attached to the clock to sound the hours.
Bottom line is that John PASS, according to the Ministry in Malta, apprenticed there in the brass foundry and then went to the Colonies. He supposedly had 3 brothers, 2 of which went to the Colonies and 1 of wich went to Canada while John was in Malta. It this is true, then the most likely men who might have been his brothers were any 2 of the following men: William PASS, b. before 1735
Thomas PASS, b. between 1731-1735
Nathaniel PASS (1734-1816). All of these men's descendants are found in the early years in VA and NC, then disperse all over the South for the next several decades.
Feel free to contact me privately for further discussion on this subject.
The inscription on the bell reads:
Proclaim LIBERTY
Throughout all the Land
UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS
Thereof Lev. XXV. v X.
By Order of the ASSEMBLY
of the Province of
PENSYLVANIA for the State
House in Philad^a
Pass and Stow
Philad^a
MDCCLIII.
     John Pace/Pass was notable for being Recast the Liberty Bell in 1753. Research: Recast the Liberty Bell.

     Kelli Marie O'Connell was born in July 1980. She married Peter Francis Abela, son of Charles Publius Abela and Mary Jane DeGuara, on 14 August 2004.
     Her married name was Abela. As of between 2019 and 2024, Kelli Marie O'Connell and Peter Francis Abela lived at 2100 Rosewood dr, San Bruno, CA, USA. Kelli Marie O'Connell was a Director of Finance at Calicraft in 2024 at Walnut Creek, CA, USA.

     Maltese Heritage Association The mission of the Maltese Heritage Association is to recognize and promote the traditions and culture of the Maltese-American community in the San Francisco Bay Area. We host, participate and contribute to cultural and community events and charitable organizations in an effort to provide the San Francisco Bay Area community and beyond with a greater understanding of the contributions, history, and values of the Maltese people.
It was started by Louis Vella, Pauline Scerri Henderson, Josephine Spiteri Ghiglieri, Elizabeth Ghiglieri, and Gina Deguara Gonzales. Research. (?) Maltese Heritage Association was a member of the Maltese Heritage Association Board of Directors

Louis Vella
Josie Spiteri Ghiglieri
Carmen Vella Orton
Gina Deguara Gonzales
Debbie Gatt Ghiglieri

President: Carmen Vella Orton
Vice President: Mary Schembri Griggi
Treasurer: Gina Deguara Gonzales
Secretary: Debbie Gatt Ghiglieri
Assistant Secretary: Michaela Azzopardi
Social Media and Public Relations: Julie Orton

Frank Gonzales
Rose Marie Busuttil Garcia
Theresa Schembri Menjivar in 2019. (?) Maltese Heritage Association was a member of the Maltese Heritage Association President, Board of Directors in 2021.
(?) Maltese Heritage Association Josei Ghiglieri on the history of the Maltese Heritage Association:
My daughter, Elizabeth and I had been attending the Columbus Day parade for a couple of years from about 2008 and noticed all the different nationalities participating. We wondered why doesn’t the Maltese club participate. In 2010-2011, while seeing Louis Vella at the club, we asked him that question. He said that Pauline Scerri Henderson had also asked that question. Also, Gina Deguara Gonzales had approached Louis that someone they knew from the San Mateo Counsel had asked if the Maltese community would like to be in their annual parade (which was cancelled). So he suggested that we all meet. He suggested that we start an organization to be in the Columbus day parade. Elizabeth and my intention was not to start another organization but hoping that the Maltese Club would be the organization to spearhead this matter. Louis didn’t think that the Maltese Club would be interested in doing so as at that time there was some conflict going on.
I am not sure of the specific date that we actually became the Maltese Heritage Association but it had to be in 2011 because we participated in the 2012 Columbus Day parade.
The first president was Pauline with myself as Vice-president, Gina was treasurer and I can’t remember who was secretary. I think Pauline did that also. my daughter was social media person. I was the coordinator for the parade. In the first parade it was just Pauline and her husband, Richard, Gina and her husband, Frank, my daughter Elizabeth, Barbara Fenech, Louis and his wife, Lillian, Gina’s uncle, Pete Deguara who drove his classic car and myself .
We were there to represent the Maltese communities. Our first banner did not even say Maltese Heritage Association. It said, “ the Maltese communities of the San Francisco Bay Area because that was our goal, to incorporate all the Maltese organizations into this parade. To show San Francisco the large group of Maltese in the bay area. We achieved that goal one year, (can’t remember what year) when we had the Maltese Club, the St Elizabeth Maltese Society and the Maltese Cross Foundation, all carrying banners. We grew to include a few classic cars that each held, the president of the Maltese club, the consulate general and the president of the MHA. We also had a cable car with participants. My daughter and I and a couple of other people dress in Maltese costumes. My daughter graduating from peasant to Noble woman with an elaborate dress that she had especially made by a company in England. My granddaughters also would wear little noble child costumes and my grandson was a Knight of St John which were made especially for the parade. People always want to take photos with my daughter.
Our goal was to have a float like the other organizations. We had fundraisers such as the Giants night baseball games) which one year drew 200 people, and a car show (which has grown in participation).
Finally in 2015, our goal was met. We had a replica of a Maltese boat built from wood and placed on the float which was made by a gentleman who built floats and he would use his truck to pull the float. We even won 2nd or 3rd place. Unfortunately, he retired in 2017. That year Charlie Catania volunteered his Maltese boat that he brought from Malta. In 2020 the parade was canceled due to Covid, but in 2021, the parade returned and the MHA participated but with a scaled down version but still won 2nd place thanks to Charlie’s boat.
The MHA membership gained new members but we wanted to keep it small. No one pays dues. A few years later, Pauline left our group and then a couple of years l decided to leave since I am in Petaluma every other week to babysit my grandchildren and would be missing a lot of meetings.
Please take a look at the photos of the events especially the parade to under fully what the MHA is really about. on 17 February 2022.

     Emmanuel Tonna was born circa 1901 in Malta.
     He immigrated in 1915. He was listed in the 1920 US Census, age 20, laborer hog ranch, in San Rafael, CA, USA.

     Sam Borg was born circa 1895 in Malta.
     He immigrated in 1913. He and Joe Magro were listed in the 1920 US Census, age 35, hog raising farmer, in Belmont, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Joe Magro was born circa 1893 in Malta.
     He immigrated in 1913. He immigrated in 1917. He and Sam Borg were listed in the 1920 US Census, age 35, hog raising farmer, in Belmont, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Joe Magro and Joseph Magro were possibly the same person.

     John Vassallo was born circa 1857 in Malta.
     He immigrated in 1902. He was listed in the 1920 US Census, age 63, farmer, widowed, in Novato, Marin Co., CA, USA.

     John Calleja was born circa 1892 in Malta.
     He emigrated from Malta in 1911. He was listed in the 1920 US Census, age 28, hog ranch laborer, in San Rafael, Marin Co., CA, USA.

     Simeone Sammut was born in 1857 in Malta. He married Filomena Grech, daughter of Antonio Grech and Margharita Sammut. Simeone Sammut died in 1924 at Malta.
     Research: Jennie Mifsud: My Aunt Jenny is saying that her grandfather is related to Joe Calleja. She is saying that Joe Calleja was cousins with the founder of Artichoke Joes Casino. Dennis Summut (when alive) and his son Cody (a Supervisor at Artichoke Joes), is denying a relationship when I have spoken to them.
CJV: husband of his aunt.

     Antonio Sammut was born circa 1897 in Mosta, Malta.
     He immigrated in 1914. He was listed in the 1920 US census of Joseph Sammut and Julia Celia Mager in 1920 at San Bruno Ave., South San Francisco, San Mateo Co., CA, USA; age 26, retail store keeper. Antonio Sammut was a retail store salesman in 1920.

     Anthony Bugeia was born circa 1875 in Malta; age 45 in 1920 census; age 68 in 1940 census. He married Bridget (?)
     Anthony Bugeia immigrated in 1890. He and Bridget (?) were naturalized in 1914. Anthony Bugeia and Bridget (?) were listed in the 1920 US Census, age 45, dry goods salesman, in Oakland, Alameda Co., CA, USA. Anthony Bugeia and Bridget (?) were listed in the 1940 US Census age 68, none in Oakland, Alameda Co., CA, USA.

     Bridget (?) was born circa 1880 in Ireland; age 40 in 1920 census; age 61 in 1940 census. She married Anthony Bugeia.
     Her married name was Bugeia. Bridget (?) and Anthony Bugeia were naturalized in 1914. Bridget (?) and Anthony Bugeia were listed in the 1920 US Census, age 45, dry goods salesman, in Oakland, Alameda Co., CA, USA. Bridget (?) and Anthony Bugeia were listed in the 1940 US Census age 68, none in Oakland, Alameda Co., CA, USA.

     Stella Bugeia was born circa 1901 in CA, USA; age 19 in 1920 census.
     She was listed in the 1920 US census of Anthony Bugeia and Bridget (?) in 1920 at Oakland, Alameda Co., CA, USA; age 45, dry goods salesman.

     William Bugeia was born circa 1903 in CA, USA; age 17 in 1920 census.
     He was listed in the 1920 US census of Anthony Bugeia and Bridget (?) in 1920 at Oakland, Alameda Co., CA, USA; age 45, dry goods salesman.

     Lillian Van Keren was born circa 1888 in MO, USA; age 42 in 1930 census. She married Samuel Vella on 15 July 1927; age 35 and 38. Lillian Van Keren died on 8 June 1932 at Tiburon, CA, USA.
     As of 15 July 1927,her married name was Vella. She and Samuel Vella were listed in the 1930 US Census age 42, soft drinks proprietor in Belvedere, Marin Co., CA, USA.
Obituary: on 11 June 1932: VELLA—In Tiburon. June 8. 1932, Lillian Vella, a native of Missouri.

     Walter Cardona was born on 28 October 1899 in Floriana, Malta; age 29 in 1930 census.¹ He was issued a Maltese Passport age 24, writer, HM Dockyard on 3 January 1920.¹
     He was listed in the 1930 US Census age 29, inmate in Camp Fremont & US Public Health Hospital #24, Twp 3, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.