NYC Subway dot org © Joe Testagrose 1969
NYC Subway dot org © Joe Testagrose 1977
NYC Subway dot org © Zach Summer 2008
Kevin Walsh (Forgotten NY) sent me these links with the caption “Watch a painted ad fade.” Thanks for the tip!
Livoti Live Poultry Ad Through the Decades 1969 – 2008 – BMT Line – 86th Street – Bay Ridge
My uncle was John Livoti who own and ran the Livoti Chicken Market until he died at 99. My entire children growing up in Bensonhurt, and going to the chicken market with my uncle to work delivery the chickens and cleaning the market. I also remember the area being nothing but sand dunes between the chicken market and the train yard.
Thanks so much for finding these adds.
Joe Livoti
You are welcome Joe. Regards to your family.
Hi Joe
My Grandfather Giovanni Livoti and your Grandfather Tommaso Livoti were brothers
My father Philip Livoti also owned a chicken market in Brooklyn in the 30’s 40’s and early 50’s
Your uncle John and my father were first cousins
Hope to here from you to share Livoti info
my e-mail address is joeliv@optonline.net
Joe Livoti
I worked for the Livoti Brothers from 1969 through 1978. Finer men never lived. My dad died in 1963 and Johnny, Phillip and Andrew taught me all that I needed to know in life.
From Andrew, I learned to be kind but to always hold your ground if you know you are right.
From Phillip, I learned how to shoot a bow and arrow, and that friends mean everything. All of those Saturday afternoons riding in the Dodge delivering chickens are some of my fondest memories. I used to wonder why I had to put my tips in the ashtray on the dash till the day I found out that Philly was adding a few dollars, especially on days when the tips were light ….
John, I loved that man. He taught me to hunt and fish and how to keep my head under all circumstances. He showed me that it was better to be honest and respected than a show off.
For what its worth, I still think of the days I spent with the Livoti’s. Driving to Pennsylvania with Philly in that old International, stopping along the turnpike to jump a fence and pick some fresh corn ….
To me Thanksgiving has never been the same as when I was a kid. We would go to the Malarchuck (sp) farm and hunt deer, then feast on fresh milk, and more food than 20 could eat. I loved that farm and the summers hunting woodchucks sleeping in the loft.
To me the Livoti’s were princes among men and I thank God for having known them and pray that they are enjoying their rest. I know one day we will all meet in Heaven and I will bet my last nickel that when we meet again it will be as if we’d never said goodbye when I left Brooklyn …..
With Love and Devotion,
Paul Walker, formerly known as Paul Gay
Paul- Thank you for this incredible dedication and for sharing your history. If you are ever in Brooklyn, drop me a line. Best, Frank
The Livotis were my distant cousins. My grandmother, Josephine Zappardino used to take me to the chicken market when I was just a baby. We lived on Ave. V and West 7th Street , by the Sea Beach Subway line. My best to any cousins that may read this short memo. I will never forget my days in Brooklyn. I remember them with great fondness.
I remember my dad taking me to Livoti’s chicken market. The smell was horrible. I remember picking a chicken. It quickly had its throat cut and flapped around a bit until it was put in a vat of hot water to remove the feathers. My whole family moved to NJ in the late 1990s. Recently my mom ran into the owner of Top Tomato in Freehold who also remembers Livoti’s. Those were the days. Dio benedica! Thanks for the memory.
I too have fond memories of Livoti’s Chicken Market. Diane Livoti was a school friend of mine. I remember going to the market with her after school. I can remember running out as fast as I could because of the sound of the chickens that were going to be someone’s dinner that night & of course the smell..LOL! PeeU! I am retired & living in Las Vegas, NV. If anyone knows the where abouts of Diane I would sure like to catch up on old times. I’m on Facebook too