You're way off with Morris Park. The populace is mostly Albanian and mixed Latino these days. And as far as Throggs Neck, well, I've been in the Bronx for fifty five years, and in Throggs Neck for almost thirty. And it was never an Italian stronghold, in that it's been a mix of Italian, German and Irish forever. And if you look towards the southwest part of Throggs Neck, where the new golf course is, that section more closely resembles Castle Hill today.
Italians want to live in the suburbs today. We don't leave because we have too much business in the City. But there's no denying that there isn't a single Italian "stronghold" left in the Bronx.
PB, do you know the comedian Mike Destefano or any of his family? He passed away a few years ago, but heard a podcast interview with him a few years back where he talks about growing up in Throgg's Neck and his contact with various un-named wiseguys.
Yes, he used to play at the Marina del Rey for Angelo Prisco's annual spring dance. He was close to ten years younger than I am, but I remember him. He was a junkie, though. So he wasn't allowed in a lot of local places. But Angelo protected him a few times because he had a soft spot for him. His family claimed he had a heart attack. But he was only in his forties. I think he od'd. But that's just my personal opinion.
I believe he was also HIV positive. He talked about being at a club and the guy before him was on and one of his unnamed "friends" was throwing ice at the guy. When the manager went to say something Destefano said he stopped him and said, "you don't want to talk to that guy, he will literally kill you". So he was buddies with people with and or associated with the West Side? Very interesting. Had a feeling you'd know him.
