Luigi V. Fugazzi (April 30, 1839 – August 6, 1930; anglicizedasFugazy), nicknamed Papa Fugazy, was an Italian American banker, businessman, and philanthropist who became one of the most prominent padroni in the United States. He emigrated to the United States in 1869 and established a bank and a service company for Italians in New York City's South Village. He also established and supported many Italian mutual aid societies and fraternal organizations in the city.
When Fugazy arrived in the United States, he had already learned to speak English and possessed a substantial inheritance from his father.[4] He changed his surname from Fugazzi to Fugazy in order to assimilate into American culture.[3] He established several businesses in New York City, first opening a bank, and acting as a notary public. Poor Italians deposited their money with him to safeguard it from thieves and con artists.[1] He also ran a company that provided services to Italians, such as translation and letter-writing, and became a travel agent with a steamship company.[3] His businesses provided services to thousands of Italian immigrants living in New York. Fugazy also provided legal advice to Italians to assist them with the American legal system. He conducted his businesses out of his home at 157 Bleecker Street in the South VillageofManhattan,[4] which he purchased on September 21, 1904.[6]
As a result of his prominence in Italian communities in New York City, Fugazy became seen as a benevolent padrone, and The New York Times reported his nickname of "Papa Fugazy".[1]Edith M. Thomas described him as "one of the best-known Italian bankers" in New York City,[7] and Gay Talese described him as "perhaps the most eminent padrone in the United States".[3]
Fugazy was a significant promoter of over 100 Italian fraternal organizations and mutual aid societies in New York,[1] and founded several of his own, including the Societa Santo, the Societa G. P. Riva, and Lodge Mazzini.[8] He also encouraged existing ones to join together in a citywide federation, rather than operating only in their specific neighborhoods.[1] Fugazy also founded the Italian Hospital in Manhattan,[5] and was one of the first trustees and a significant benefactor of Our Lady of Pompeii Church.[4]
At the time of his death, Fugazy's bank was valued at $275,000,[9] equivalent to $5 million in 2023,[10] and had more than 600 depositors.[9] His family was required by law to sell the bank's charter upon his death. They retained ownership of the travel agency, which became the Fugazy Travel Bureau.[11]
Gli Italiani negli Stati Uniti d'America [The Italians in the United States of America] (in Italian). New York: Italian American Directory Co. 1906. OCLC878395999. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021 – via HathiTrust Digital Library.
LaGumina, Salvatore J.; Cavaioli, Frank J.; Primeggia, Salvatore; Varacalli, Joseph A., eds. (2000). The Italian American Experience: An Encyclopedia. New York: Garland Publishing Inc. ISBN0-203-80114-8. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2021 – via Google Books.
Banks
New York City
Italy
United States
