A Real-Life Titanic Love Story?

Episode 1

Everyone knows of the fictional love story between Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater (who later called herself Rose Dawson) in the movie Titanic. Reconstructed through interviews given to Italian reporters late in his life, the story of Emilio Portaluppi (and 37 other Italians on the ship) is told in a new documentary, “The Italians on the Titanic”. The possibility of a real-life love story on the Titanic is very appealing…..

Emilio Ilario Giuseppe Portaluppi’s story begins on October 15, 1881 in the village of Arcisate, Varese, Italy where he was born to parents Carlo and Giuseppina. One of at least 5 children, Emilio stood out as a child with unusual artistic ability. In his adolescence, he was hired as a stonecutter. Although the reason for coming to the United States is unknown, he sailed from Genoa and arrived on March 15, 1903.

He found work in Barre, Vermont but soon moved and settled in Milford, New Hampshire. Shortly after, he married Enrichetta Bessoni, a young woman from his hometown in Italy who might have made the trip to America with him. They had one daughter. He worked as a stonecutter, designer and draughtsman for P. C. Felli & Co but due to his exceptional work was lured away to work at Tonella & Sons. Here he worked on tombs, vaults and monuments as well as infrastructure work for the town. At times, he was referred to as an artist and sculptor rather than a stonecutter. When he taught in a design school during 1910-1911, he became very well known in the area. In 1910, Emilio and Enrichetta separated. She and her daughter went back to Italy permanently.

With his reputation growing, he was hired to work on the symbolic reliefs for the New York Stock Exchange Building and on the restoration of the Astor’s Beechwood Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. It was here he met John Jacob Astor IV and Madeleine, his wife. Emilio never gave details on his “relationship” with Madeleine but it is said he had a crush on her. Were his feelings returned?

To be continued..................