The Corner Boys

About the Book

When the author, Ralph Masciulli, was asked to write a short story about his experiences when growing up in a small Italian Neighborhood in the North End of Boston, his two teenage sons read the article and prompted him to write a collection of short stories to share with family and friends. The result is, The Corner Boys, a series of 20 short stories representing the emotions and trauma and above all, the humor inherent in a large extended family and many close neighborhood friends who thought we would always be together.

The characters depicted represent anyone of a number of Corner Boys who spent many hours "hanging out" on their favorite corner solving the problems of the world. Each individual represents a composite of childhood friends, some of which are no longer with us but will always remain in our hearts and minds. The family incidents represent typical family scenarios, which is part of growing up in an Italian family. The parting words that Fr. Thomas gave us over forty years ago when we left Christopher Columbus High School to embark on a new life are as true today as ever.

"Wherever life may lead you, in the little chapel across the miles, always remember your humble beginnings"

About the Author

Rumor had it Ralph Masciulli was born in a small village in the rural mountains of Tuscany. At the tender age of seven he supposedly was captured by the Hungarian Gypsies and later rose to the occasion by becoming "King of the Gypsies".

This rumor was dispelled as absolute "hog wash" when as a teenager in the late fifties he was tracked rolicking between Saint Anthony's playground, Coogies (Salem Spa) and Carlo's Pool room. A graduate of St. Anthony's Grammar School and Christopher Columbus High School 1959, he furthered his education at Northeastern University receiving his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees and Certificate of advanced Graduate Study. His career started at M.I.T., Lincoln Labs in Lexington. Later, he entered the field of education where he remained for over thirty years serving in several capacities. He serves on the Executive Committee of the IEEE and retired as Chairman of the Computer and Electronics Department at The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. In 1968-1969 he served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

He resides in Lexington, Massachusetts with his wife Mary and spends his summers in Sutton, New Hampshire where he dabbles in writing and appreciates the outdoors.