Stanley Tucci's Vermont Roots

Many of the Italians who came to Vermont in the late 1800s and early 1900s left their homeland to work in the granite, marble, and slate quarries. One of those who settled in Northfield, Vermont in 1904, at the age of 15, was Stanislau Tucci. Hailing from the small town of Marzi in Cosenza, Stanislau learned to carve stone in the Northfield sheds.  He met and later married Miss Teresa Pissani. They remained in Northfield before eventually moving to Peekskill, New York, where Stanislau started his own monument company. 

The now very famous grandson of Stanislau and Teresa, Stanley Tucci, wrote a short piece for InStyle in 2021 entitled, “My Grandfather’s Mallet,” in which he references his grandfather’s ties to Northfield. The article was shared with me earlier this year which is when I first learned of Stanley’s Vermont connection.  Immediately I began imagining Stanley’s visit – a three-day whirlwind including community events, tours, and food tastings around Vermont. In my role as President of the Vermont Italian Cultural Association (VICA), it seems I am constantly imagining what’s possible. This seemed to fall within that realm. 

I shared my dream over coffee with Paula Routly, VICA member and publisher of Seven Days, Vermont's Independent Voice. With one email to a few colleagues, Paula found a connection to Stanley Tucci’s father. Before retiring, Stanley Tucci Sr had been an art teacher at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY, and Alison Novak, a Seven Days reporter, had been one of his students. Just like that, I was two degrees of separation from the Tucci family.

I soon became obsessed with getting Stanley to Vermont. I knew we’d need to get his attention by appealing to two important aspects of his life that, through his books, movies, and TV shows, have revealed themselves: food and family. 

With the help of Summer Drexel, a local graphic designer, we created the invitation with a not-so-subtle nod to his TV show “Searching for Italy” and his first movie, “Big Night.”  We would need to be clever. In it we referenced some historic Tucci dates, including the arrival of his grandfather in Northfield, the names of his paternal grandparents and other important family details.

What ensued happened quickly. After reaching Stanley Sr by phone in Florida, where he now lives, Alison emailed him the invitation which eventually made its way to Stanley in London.  Within hours of Alison’s phone call, I received an email from Stanley’s agent in New York who politely declined our invitation due to Stanley’s busy schedule.  She assured me he had seen the invitation. I was briefly satisfied. 

So where do I go from here? 

While my first effort fell short, I remain undeterred. I have occasional daydreams of greeting Stanley at Burlington International Airport or tasting one of his famous Negroni.  I remain hopeful that he will feel the familial pull of Vermont and return to his American roots.  He would certainly receive a warm Italian welcome from this community.

As with many ideas, mine began with a conversation. Thanks to those VICA members who helped me connect all the dots beginning with Beth Campo who shared “My Grandfather’s Mallet” over a glass of wine at Pearl Street Pizza in Barre. Special thanks to Paula Routly who listened as I excitedly shared my dream of getting Stanley to Vermont.  To genealogist Jerry Carbone, who within minutes of receiving my frantic requests, located the Tucci’s marriage announcement and other vital records pertaining to the Tuccis in Vermont.  And, of course, to Alison Novak, who made the connection to Stanley possible. They were all instrumental in reaching Stanley. 

As for me? Well, I’m still searching for Stanley.