Louis N. Cinquino
On Christmas morning, Louie would wake up early to visit the Veteran's Hospital, then return home to cook breakfast.
Nothing brought him more joy than taking his grandchildren into the garden.
Louie proudly served in the Army in World War II, and was grateful to return home to become a leader at his local American Legion post.
Growing figs in western New York is no small task.
He never met a garlic bulb he wasn't interested in.
By midsummer, his garden would grow wild, but he always knew where everything was. Including himself.
The garden was his first stop when he returned home from work. He used a stick and string to plant straight rows.
His wife Rita never entered his garden, yet was never far behind (with generous advice) when he came into her kitchen.
Fava beans were the first thing planted and harvested every year. Here's how he loved to cook them.
His ongoing battles with critters were epic. On this day, it was Louie 1, Groundhog 0.
He maintained the high ground in his healthy rivalry with uninvited Oatka Creek woodchucks by relocating them to a local quarry.
His trees didn't always bear much fruit. But when they did, there was nothing better than a fresh fig.
One of his last days pruning in his yard and garden.
His youngest granddaughter didn't get to see him in his gardening prime, but with The Italian Garden Project, she can share in his memory forever!