My great grandfather Filippo Imprescia had nine lives. Born in Pietraperzia, Sicily, in 1880, he was one of three surviving children of Dominic and Anna (Viola) Imprescia (who may have had up to 17 children) who made it to America. Once here he did face at least two near death experiences that were documented in the local newspaper.
The first incident occurred on March 17, 1917 when Filippo (Philip) was 37 years old and already had four children (Concetta, Anna, Palma and Josephine) and lost one (Connie in 1916). Filippo spent most of his career as an unskilled laborer, and in 1917 he was working for Simonds Manufacturing Company. His job must've required him to go to the Brown Engine Shop on Willow St. on this day.
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| Fitchburg Sentinel headline March 17, 1917 |
At about 9am Filippo was working along side 28-year-old Brown Engine Co. employee Ernest Simonelli when the head of a hydraulic pump blew off striking Ernest directly in the head. Filippo was also indirectly struck in the head causing a wound over his right eye. An ambulance was called and both men were rushed to Burbank Hospital, Ernest was dead when they reached the hospital, but Filippo was in serious condition. An X-ray did not reveal internal injuries or fractures, but he stayed at the hospital. Read full article here.
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| Fitchburg Sentinel March 18, 1917 |
The second incident occurred about 27 years later. A now 63-year-old Phillip again faced death, this time while walking down Water Street near the intersection of Newton Street. The story indicates he stepped off the curb and was hit by a car around 7am on November 15th, 1944. The impact shattered his right leg causing a compound fracture and various contusions and lacerations.
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| Fitchburg Sentinel November 15, 1944 |
The article above does not seem to correctly describe the severity of Phillip's injuries. I found another article dated March 31, 1945 - a full four months after the accident - that thanks people for their assistance and care of Phillip while at the hospital.
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| Fitchburg Sentinel March 31, 1945 |
So Philip clearly was very seriously injured again and survived - like a cat with 9 lives.
