Author Dr. Frank Plateroti Traces Ancestral Roots to Sicily, Uncovering Forgotten Family History and Reconnecting Long-Lost Relatives

A personal pilgrimage to Mussomeli and Palermo yields archival discoveries and family revelations that mirror the themes of his multi-generational saga "East Clifton Avenue"

LINCOLN PARK, N.J., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the publication of his multi-generational complete novel, East Clifton Avenue: An American Family Saga, educator and author Dr. Frank Plateroti completed a pilgrimage to Sicily to honor his family's heritage. He first explored the municipal archives in his grandparent's birthplace in Mussomeli, which brought up some surprising facts. He was also happy to reconnect with relatives in Palermo, not seen by his family since the early 1970s.

The journey was undertaken to honor his mother's parent's, Vincent Bonpietro and Anna Arnone Bonpietro, who are the inspiration for the fictional Buonoforte family portrayed in the "East Clifton Avenue" novel. The fictional Buonoforte family mirror the actual lives and events of the Bonpietros, beginning with their early lives in Mussomeli, Sicily before emigrating to the United States.

"Some people asked, 'Why go after the book was published?" said Plateroti. "My trip to Sicily was a sort of payment for 'borrowing' my grandparent's lives, by documenting their love, sacrifices, and struggles so they are never forgotten," said Plateroti.

During research in Mussomeli's municipal offices, town registry records dating back to 1885 revealed a previously unknown family fact: Plateroti's grandfather, Vincenzo, was preceded by an older brother of the exact same name who died at two years old, unknown to Plateroti and the family.

While meeting with cousins in Palermo, which his family had not been in contact for over fifty years, Plateroti uncovered another pivotal revelation regarding his grandmother's sister, who had stayed in Italy. The two sisters had originally traveled from Mussomeli to Naples to board a ship for America together, but one sister was denied boarding due to a diagnosis of conjunctivitis and she remained in Sicily. This permanently altered the trajectory of that branch of the family.

In "East Clifton Avenue: An American Family Saga," Plateroti follows the dramatic journey of his Sicilian-American family establishing deep roots in northern New Jersey. As they face historical setbacks, shifting economic landscapes, and the everyday pressures of cultural integration, they discover the enduring strength of shared memories, community networks, and personal honor. 

"It was sometimes difficult to search through the happy and painful memories and 'resurrect' family members and events," said Plateroti. "However, If we do not record our family history now, people eventually pass away and inevitably it is too late. I believe it is an important legacy for future generations."

"East Clifton Avenue: An American Family Saga - The Complete Novel" 
By Frank Plateroti, EdD
ISBN: 9798988796480
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author
Dr. Frank Plateroti holds a Doctorate in Education Research and a Master's in Communication from William Paterson University, Wayne, N.J., and then spent the next twenty years there as a professor specializing in intrapersonal and interpersonal communication. His prior career spans public relations, television production, writing, and directing for his own international production company.

Outside of academia and writing, he is active in philanthropy, award-winning home renovations, real estate, and financial investments. He is also a recording vocalist and, most of all, a proud father and grandfather. To learn more, please visit www.drfjesteem.com

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