From Mary McGee Aretakis
to Rockaway Memories, Dated March 16, 2011:
Dear Marty,
I loved the Irish Town Album. Unfortunately,
I didn't see any pictures of Gildea's Bar. Gildea's was located
on Beach 103rd St. Before that it was Feeney's & Lynch's.
I met my husband at Gildea's. We danced there many a night.
My family lived in the Bronx but summered in
the Rockaways for more than forty years. We lived in various bungalows
during this period - on Beach 102nd, Beach 104th, and the last
one on Beach 99th St. right across from St. Camillus school. My
girlfriend's family took a room for the summer upstairs from Gildeas.
I have attached several snapshots taken in and
around Gildeas during the 1950s:
|
|
Most of the guys in this photo came
from the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. They would come
down to the Rockaways for the weekend. Most of them were
great dancers. Photo Credit: Mary McGee Aretakis |
|
Hanging out in
front of Gildea's. Photo Credit: Mary McGee Aretakis |
|
Would you believe
that he was never carded when entering Gildea's. Photo Credit:
Mary McGee Aretakis |
|
Pat and Mary
in front of Gildea's. Photo Credit: Mary McGee Aretakis |
I have a friend, Melba, who I met subsequent
to my summers spent in Rockaway. She lived on Beach 99th Street
all year round and attended Far Rockaway H.S. Her grandmother
owned Barnett's Candy Store on Rockaway Beach Blvd. between 98th
and Beach 99th Streets.
Next week I am going to visit another Rockaway
friend of many years who now resides in Florida. We will certainly
be reliving our great Rockaway memories.
My sister and her family live in Belle Harbor.
I have cousins who live in the apartments on Beach 108th St. Consequently,
we visit Rockaway often.
Few can appreciate how it was to live in Rockaway
back then. They were special times.
Thanks for all your hard work.
Mary McGee Aretakis
