Uncle Matty Comes Home

How To Deal with Bullies

I was about 12 years old and one time my friend Mike Crowley and I were walking just off Grand Concourse in the Bronx. I think it was 185th Street. Mike was a real tough guy but also a real proud Irish guy. We were suddenly surrounded by 8 members of the Savage skulls with knives. We heard the distinctive sound of the switch blade. I was scared but knew if Mike did not run I could not either. They said to us what are you (Italian slur) doing in our territory. Remember Mike was real proud Irish guy and mad they did not call him a (Irish slur)  He started screaming and yelling I am not a (Italian slur) I am a Mick you (Spanish slur) he was incensed his veins were bulging and clench his fist, I  admit I was scared out of mind but knew I had to fight or get made fun of for being a chicken. They were taken aback by his rage. Mike took a step forward and said ready Jimmy, I said yes. Then Mike took another step forward and so did I. In my head I said I am getting a bad beating; hope I don’t get knifed. Then Mike said to me let’s go, I said OK and we took another step forward.  We were ready it was on. I had no illusion of winning but I think Mike did, he was that tough. On our next step forward, I learned a great lesson in life. All of sudden the guys with knives got scared and ran away. Omg I was stunned, but relieved. Do you know Mike looks at me and says let’s go after them. It took me what seemed like forever to convince Mike to walk away. When you chase a gang there will be 20 more or so by the time we catch them. Then you wind up in hospital.

We were heroes on the block for a week. It was all Mike; I was scared but at least I did not back down.

The lesson I learned for the rest of my life was to never back down from a bully even if you take a beating. Mike moved to Chicago, and we lost touch.

My Hero General Collet

Brigadier General Patrick Collet, Commanding Officer, 11th Parachute Brigade, my hero and friend for life. General Collet located Uncle Matty’s historic rifle and moved heaven and earth to bring it back home to our family.

Born to be Airborne

Uncle Matty at Rockaway Beach, NYC in 1939. Notice the dog with him, my whole family loved dogs. Matty was in rock solid shape from playing all the New York City street games that would define him as “Born to be Airborne”

My Father Mickey Pictures 5a & 5b

My Father Mickey, all around tough guy from the streets of the Irish South Bronx. Love his beer and dogs! At McSherry’s Pub on 138th Street and Alexander Avenue, with my brother Jackie and his beloved Dalmatian Spanky. In WWII Mickey would be shot down, captured, and serve 9 months in the POW Camp Stalag Luft 3. This is the POW Camp from which the movie the Great Escape was made. Famous for saying “Let’s take it outside”

Matty’s Family

Father Richard, Mother Nora, Brother Jimmy, Sisters Ann and Francie. An Irish American Family growing up in the South Bronx, aka the 33rd county of Ireland. Living through the great depression, World War II and everything else the world threw at them.

Two Martin’s of the Greatest Generation

Uncle Matty – Martin Teahan and my father Martin Farrell represent the Greatest Generation. One was a Paratrooper who would die in combat, the other a Bombardier who would spend 9 months in a POW Camp, but survive. I would never understand my father, and later in life get to know the Uncle Matty very well, both would shape my life.

 
 

Uncle Matty’s Irish South Bronx

Uncle Matty smoking a cigarette while flirting with the girls in 1940. Behind his right shoulder is his best friend Peter Donahue. Matty was famous for his singing, dancing, and being the life of the party.