Angela moved to Brooklyn around 1998. She loved New York City and her goal was to work there. But she really loved Brooklyn and moved there to a series of apartments, finding a home and community in the neighborhoods, parks, museums, shops, arts, artists, musicians, families and friends, the bodegas, the bars, and even a few dogs. Some say she liked the night life.
Hard to believe it’s been 17 years. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago, and sometimes like just yesterday; and sometimes both at the same time.
Amor semper,
Jason
Angela,
I’m listening to our song and having some unremarkable red wine. For some reason it feels terribly anemic; I wonder why…
Thinking of you always, missing you always.
Jason
Still think of you. I never shared my song, but your music goes on! Love you, Honor
Happy Birthday, Angela.
I wish that…well, I suppose that I just wish.
XOXO,
Jason
Another year without you…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4cmb3jOVLs
Whenever I hear this song it makes me think of you…I can’t help it.
Jason
Birthdays were interesting times for Angela; maybe most interesting for those who loved her, but they were certainly never boring.
Happy Birthday, Angela!
Love always,
Jason
Another year without, Angela. Hard to believe how it still feels like just yesterday in some ways. The nature of her personality I suppose; unforgettable.
Interesting times these days, Angela. While I’m pretty certain that I know what your reaction and commentary to all of this would be, I’d still love to hear it from you; at least for a little while.
Thinking of you always…missing you always.
XO,
Jason
Angela, You pop up in my thoughts now and again, I know you are still around. I remember how you would play Elton John on the piano when we were growing up. Also my mom made me take piano lessons with you when it was time for me to play what a mess but I do know where the “C” key is. You would laugh when I played and I think I would cry? It’s nice to have so many memories growing up with you??? Until we meet again someday my friend Angelina Ballerina??
Angela, You pop up in my thoughts now and again, I know you are still around. I remember how you would play Elton John on the piano when we were growing up. Also my mom made me take piano lessons with you when it was time for me to play what a mess but I do know where the “C” key is. You would laugh when I played and I think I would cry? It’s nice to have so many memories growing up with you??? Until we meet again someday my friend Angelina Ballerina??
Dear Angela,
I think of you every day; I miss you every day, and I know that I’m not the only one.
We all love and miss you.
XO,
Jason
56 years. I have a hard time imagining how you’d be celebrating your birthday this time. Things are a little toppsy-turvy these days to say the least.
Regardless; wishing you were here.
Happy Birthday! Missing you always.
Love,
Jason
A decade…good Lord, a decade.
Despite my best efforts, time still trudges on. Thinking of you always, missing you always.
Love you.
Jason
Angela,
You’ve been on my mind as much as ever lately. Early this year I relocated to southern Park Slope; a stone’s throw away from your last apartment. You’re the one who introduced me to this area, among others. It’s a more static neighborhood so most of the places which we used to go to are still around.
It seems that no matter what; wherever I go, there you are…
Love and miss you always.
Jason
Jason,
Just seeing this page recently after losing track of Angela. Saw her last in Boston and Syracuse… shared the news with our friend Russ-we knew her from high school. Been in such a funk since finding out. Always thought we’d reconnect.
54? Seriously…54?
Your eternal youth is one of the most endearing and memorable things about you. I think that we all miss being grabbed by the hand and taken on Angela’s roller-coaster ride. As short lived as they may have been, they were the best; and we’ll never have that experience quite the same way again.
Granted, they weren’t likely to happen on your birthday, but…’Happy Birthday’, Angela.
We miss you.
Jason
Today I saw someone that looked so much like you, I still think of you often! You always put a smile in my face!
Angela,
I visited some of the old haunts in Williamsburg, Park Slope and Fort Greene last weekend. Most have gone away, but there are still some local staples which are hanging on (for better or worse).
I miss your electricity (and all of the drama involved)…everyone misses you. You were like oxygen when you walked into a room. An experience that we’ll never have quite the same way again.
Jason
“It’s up to your knees out there…”.
Great picture. Thanks, Jim.
GELLA I DIDNT FOR GET YOU I NEVER DO SEE YOU EVERY MORNING WHEN I HAVE MY COFFEE YOUR PIC RIGHT HTERE ON MY DESK BOY DO I MISS YOU ALOT .I WONDER HOW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AS WE GOT OLDER GUESS I WILL NOT KNOW BUT IT WAS FUN GROWING UP TOGETHER ALEXIS REMINDS ME ALOT OF YOU SHE JUST HAS A WAY WITH LITTLE KIDS JUST LIKE YOU WELL LIKE I SAID I DO MISS YOU WITH ALMY HEART GELLA HAPPY BIRTH DAY BABE
Happy Birthday, Angela.
I spent this afternoon trolling around some old haunts in Williamsburg; the neighborhood has changed so much that most of the old places are gone. It makes me wonder which Brooklyn neighborhood you would have now made your own and invited others into it…
We miss you so much.
Jason
Angela,
I’ve been sitting here for hours trying to come up with something tragically romantic or poetic to post, but ultimately on this day it comes down to two things; Happy Birthday and I miss you.
Happy Birthday and I miss you…
Happy Birthday and I miss you.
Jason
Angela,
I was looking at my beat up sandals and flashed on the first time I wore them; you showing me around the city during my first trip to NYC. Six years??
I think of you often, and of how many remain touched by your energy. Love lives on, trusting that you feel it’s strength.
Deborah
Angela,
Six years have passed. Sometimes is seems like yesterday and sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago. Eh, who am I kidding…it always feels like yesterday.
There is not a single day that passes when your presence is not missed…not a single day.
We miss you so much…I miss you so much…
Jason
Angela,
So yet another year has passed despite my best efforts…the presence of your absence seems as palpable as ever.
I visited a few of your old haunts in Williamsburg today and even ran into an old friend of ours.
Still trying to find a path forward without you.
Missing you always,
Jason
Angela,
Goodness…it’s hard to imagine what this milestone of a day would have meant for you (and to the people that love you)…what would you have felt, what would you have done? I can only imagine.
Regardless, we can only wish that it’s something that you could have been here to share with us in person.
I have a feeling that you may smack me for wishing you a “Happy Birthday” today, but I’m going to do it anyway.
I miss you so, so much….
Love always,
Jason
Angela,
It’s hard to believe that four years have gone by without you. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago. It’s a sentiment that I’ve posted here before, but it certainly still holds true…maybe now more than ever.
You are thought of and missed every day by many…probably more than most.
Missing you always,
Jason
I started a song for you days after you died, finished it last year, but never played it for anyone other than family. Sitting in meditation today, you came rushing in. Time to share that song. You are missed.
Angela,
You’ve been away from us for 3 years now. Sometimes it seems to me that it happened long ago, but most of the time, and today of all days, it seems like it was only yesterday when we lost you. Spring is upon us now…a time for life and rebirth, but for those closest to you this time of year means more than that. It’s different for everyone, but the presence of your absence is undeniable.
Missing you always,
Jason
hit on your web site my mistake and up pops your pic and boy do i miss you even though i talk to u every morning .today sucks as you already know from up there im sure, and i think are u telling me something i should know . i wonder? i’ll have to think on that one love u gella tony
love you, angelina
and so happy to hear you confirm you are alive!
you live on in all of our lives…
peace
love always,
jody
Last night in my dream, I was late for work, late for school. I was going to be an assistant teacher at a really cool public school and when I got there, guess who my head teacher was? We came face to face, and we were happy to see each other. I was amazed that you were still alive. Your smile said, “Yes. I’m very much still alive,” and you were stronger than before.
Angela,
I apologize for taking so long to post some birthday wishes for you here; I’ve just been at a loss for what to write. It seems that I’ve already used all of the words that I know to convey my feelings of what this world is like without you in it, and how much you are missed.
I wish that I could come up with something eloquent to convey what I and others feel, not only on your birthday, but all year round. Until those words come to me I’ll simply say…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Always,
Jason
Angela,
I’m sitting in the Syracuse airport contemplating the fact that you’ve been gone 2 years now. Time can change people, places and things, but I think that some things are forever constant. The presence of your absence is as real today as it was two years ago as I’m sure that it will be next year.
Once again the words escape me to describe how much you are missed and how much you are loved by the people that care for you and the people that you touched in your time here.
Time provides no comfort to a life without you…
“So when I’m gone miss me yes,
Cry for me no.
I am free now at last my soul is at peace,
So miss me but let me go.”
Beautiful words, but most impossible.
Jason
Angela,
Just a quick note to say “Happy Valentine’s Day”. Thinking of you always, missing you always.
Jason
Angela,
Another year has gone by, your 46th. Despite my best efforts, time continues to march on without you.
I have to wonder what this past year would have brought for you, for me, and for everyone else who loves you, if you were still here with us. All I know is that it would be in stark contrast to what has come about for me, and for all of us, without you in our lives.
Once again, words can’t express how much I miss you, so I’ll just say one more thing:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
(I hope that whoever is making your cake this year knows that they don’t actually have to put 47 candles on it.)
Love,
Jason
P.S. I hope that you liked the flowers, it’s all I could think of to get you this year.
Angela,
Where do we go from here?
You’ve been gone a year now. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago and sometimes it seems like just yesterday; although you never feel to be too far away…just far enough for your absence to be ever-present and always felt.
“If I should die and leave you here awhile, be not like others, soon undone, who keep long vigil by the silent dust and weep. For my sake turn again to life and smile, nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do something to comfort weaker hearts than thine. Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine, and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.” – Thomas Gray
I miss you more than words can say…
Where do we go from here?
aunt gella,
I thought of you today after i met someone who reminded me so much of you. The way she talked, walked, and just her whole appearance made me feel as if i was with you.
I miss you more then i could have ever thought was possible. I miss our talks, and our hugs so much, they have now become a memory of you. There isn’t a day that goes by when i dont think of you, you were an amazing person and as Nani says
“god needed an angel like Angela”. love you gella your forever missed. Its not goodbye, but rather ill see you again. xoxo
Angela,
Your birthday was indeed a very special and intense time. Certainly not a day to be celebrated by the faint of heart or soul, but for those up to the task it was always a rewarding and memorable experience…at least it was for me.
For the people that love you this day will always continue to be a very special and intense time, maybe even more so, although it will never be celebrated in quite the same way again.
How I miss you so…
No more words today, Angela, except for the obvious:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Just thinking about Angela, as I’m sure a lot of you do everyday. Hey, anybody recall the way Angela used to stand at the sink or counter, balancing on one leg with the other leg drawn up , foot against her other thigh, like a flamingo ? Or how ’bout this:
Knock, knock !
Who’s there ?
The interrupting cow.
The interrupting c…
MMMOOOOOOO!!!
Missing you.
Just a few weeks ago, we found each other, as we always had – a chance encounter on Prince Street. We hated phones, phone messages and returning calls for that matter, so maybe months or years had passed – who would know?
With no apologies or excuses, we ducked into Fanelli’s, a sentimental favorite to continue where we last left off. Angela, a genuine original, was dressed in a grey felt sort-of-thing devoid of any detail, looking more like a modern sculpture than high fashion. The Shriner-like hat could not contain her mountainous dark curls that out scaled her petite frame.
Our conversation, never strained, moved from subject to subject with reckless abandon. No holds barred, we talked seriously of serious things and laughed at the same . (Angela occasionally corrected me if I slipped up- the teacher in her). And when the clouds began to darken, we knew it was time to part.
Childlike Angela, mature beyond her age, had a fiery resistance and stubborn resolve, a profound righteousness that served to keep things…well…right. I do not know if she knew how much I appreciated this.
Giova cio solo che no muore,
e solo per noi non muore,
Cio che muor con noi.
Angelina, this is ridiculous. Where are you?
Your cousin Joseph
Bella Gella brought me to a free string quartet recital on a friday evening @ the Met once. I think I was on my way home to Jersey for Thanksgiving or Christmas.Angela was a little surprized that I would be into that,being a “rocker” It was beautiful, drinking white wine in the Mezzanine as we listened. I remember Angela leaning over the railing watching the people in the courtyard below.I remember recognizing a piece by Debussey and Angela saying she wasn’t a huge fan,a little too fruity for her taste,she preferred a little more dissonance. Hmmm…
Angela had the best sense of style of almost anyone I know.
She was just stunning all the time. She was smart and sassy and could make you laugh until your sides hurt. She was FULL of contagious enthusiasm for whatever was going on. She will be missed by us.