Wedding Bells 1955 : Dixon and Traina

My mother, Mary E. Dixon, married her best friend's brother, Frank J. Traina, on May 15, 1955. From photographs I have seen, Mary was well acquainted with the Traina family for years before she and Frank tied the knot.

The wedding took place in Union, New Jersey, and was a civil ceremony performed by a Magistrate of the Court. Mary's Matron of Honor was her future sister-in-law, Frances (Traina) Carlino. The Best Man was Frank's friend, Leo Piazzo.

Here are a few photos from their wedding day.

Mary (Dixon) Traina gets help with her hair
from her sister-in-law and
Matron of Honor, Frances (Traina) Carlino.

Mary (Dixon) and Frank Traina
15 May 1955

Matron of Honor, Frances (Traina) Carlino
and Best Man, Leo Piazzo

The toast.
Frank and Mary (Dixon) Traina toast,
as Fran (Traina) Carlino looks on.

The happy couple and their parents.
Left to right: Joseph Traina and Lillian (Maita) Traina;
Frank and Mary (Dixon) Traina; Sophie (Karvoius) and Wallace B. Dixon.

Mary (Dixon) and Frank Traina cut the wedding cake.

Frank Traina dancing with his sister, Mary Ann,
and Mary (Dixon) Traina dancing with her brother, Wallace A. Dixon.

The happy couple in a snazy car.
Mary (Dixon) and Frank Traina.

Father's Day

Me with my Dad and my Mom. June 1961.

I have remarkably few photos of my father, even fewer of the two of us, and fewer still of me with both my parents. This isn't surprising considering he died when I was six years old and my parents were separated at that time. I have no memory of ever living in the same house with him.

My only memories of him involve riding in his convertible. He picked me up and took me to his parent's house for dinner nearly every Sunday. I know that he played golf, and according to his military discharge papers, he had clerical skills. Also, he worked as a salesman for a medical supply company at the time of his death.

Really, that's not much. I often wonder what kind of person he was, and how we would have gotten along as I grew up.

Anyway, this Father's Day I'm thinking about my Dad.