I am Carney – Tony
Posted on July, 30th, 2012
Most conversations with this Sicilian-Irish truck driver from Brooklyn end with “Badda Bing!”
Tony started driving at the age of 12. He learned to handle “heavy ordinance” before he was 20.
Tony is a gentleman; he learned that from his father who fought in World War I. At age 9, Tony became the man of the house after Dad passed away from a stroke. Tony began caring for his mother, brother and sister and became the breadwinner by picking up a paper route and shining shoes. After he and his siblings arrived home from school, Mom would then work an evening shift. One night after work, she came home crying; strangers had accosted her while she waited for the bus. Tony immediately took his paper route money and bought a car. Thereafter, he vowed to pick up his mother every night – Tony was only 12.
For the next three years, Tony kept his vow. However, over that time span, he was stopped three times by police. After the third occasion, he was forced to attend reform school, but the authorities never took away his car or his desire to drive.
Tony continued with his education through high school, and upon graduating, honored his father and country by serving. The Air Force trained Tony to conduct “heavy armament demilitarization” in the Vietnam War – most of his entrenched activities are confidential.
Upon returning from Vietnam, Tony regularly volunteered stateside and exercised his arms knowledge. While traveling across the country, he treated dynamite that had been stored for decades (thus exceeding its shelf-life) in military bunkers and commercial facilities.
The thrill of driving as a kid, while being able to help Mom, was a rush for Tony. He felt the pressure to respond and he excelled in those situations, the same feeling he experienced while embedded in the war. Now at the age of 55, Tony has forgotten the number of times he has traversed America while being behind the wheel.
He drives daily for the carnival and his colleagues enjoy recounts of his growing up as a gentleman in New York. Tony states, “It is all about taking care of your precious cargo. Badda Bing!”
What series of events strongly influenced what you love doing today?
4 Comments
Both my parents worked ever since I can remember. Often they would be so tired at the end of the day that they wouldn’t have the energy to read us a bedtime story. My father decided he would record stories on a tape recorder (aka 4-track tape–dating myself now!) and he would play them for us at night. To this day, I can still remember the words from Disney’s “The Jungle Book” and the music and words from “Peter and the Wolf”. I think this is where my love of storytelling comes from but now I use a camera to share stories.
Love this series Eric and I’m looking forward to meeting more of your friends at the carnival through these posts!
Eric, what a fascinating world you are opening up for us. I love Tony’s story and look forward to being introduced to many more interesting people as you continue with this project. I’m excited for you!
Thank you, Sabrina, for sharing those thoughts on your childhood influences. Your parents’ effort to share a story (via whatever medium) certainly creates a lasting impression on you and influenced what you are doing today. And we, your imagery viewers, have them and you to thank for that – am always eager to see more of what you produce. I appreciate your continued support on this project and am excited to share more by the carnival workers opening up.
Great story and insight. Eric, it is journalism like this that is a credit to the profession. I am proud that I grew up near you. I would love to get together some time and hear more stories.
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