Resident Feature
Written by Craig Whitney
The Grosso Family: Building a Heritage
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nthony and Rita have connections that weave through each other’s history before they had even met. The two were connected through mutual friendships, mutual schools, the marriage of an uncle and aunt from each side, and a culmination at an Eagles playoff game. Both of their ancestries begin in nearby coastal towns in southern Italy, so from a long-term perspective the Grosso heritage has been built over hundreds of years and continues to build here in Marple. The two had initially met at their uncle’s surprise party. Anthony’s uncle had married Rita’s aunt years before, one of many unexpected connections between the two. Rita had heard of Anthony at that point but never met him. “I had never met him, but my aunt had been trying to convince me to go out with him for years,” Rita explained. The two finally met at the party, hitting it off and building onto a relationship that had unknowingly been connected for years. They had just missed each other at Villanova University, where Anthony had graduated the year before Rita came in as a freshman. Despite the missed connection there, Anthony was friendly with Rita’s sister, who went to Villanova at the same time as Anthony. The party was not the place where the two were meant to start dating, though. Rita was days away from an extended stay in Italy, and Anthony was working for the Philadelphia Eagles as they were on their way to their third straight NFC championship game. Rita went on a pilgrimage through Italy, 6
Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together
Photography by Dan Hall, Prestige Photography
visiting old towns and learning about her roots over the course of a month. By the time she got back, Anthony was ready to forget about football for a little while and the two hit it off from the beginning. In 2006, Anthony and Rita got married, and started their life together in Marple several years later. Rita worked for Sunoco as a chemical engineer straight out of college. She currently works for a number of different engineering companies, managing her schedule so she can spend time with her family during the week. “I prayed, and then God took care,” Rita explained. “It’s been really great to keep in the industry and have time for my family.” Anthony works as a senior accountant and enjoys his work. Similarly to Rita, Anthony was in an uncertain situation professionally and had to trust in whatever life gave him. “The past fourteen months have been challenging, but right now I’m happy where I am.” The Grossos have three children, Chiara, Monica and Joseph. Chiara, 11 years old, is thoughtful and artistic. She is in choir, plays softball and golf, and is currently in a production of Peter Pan jr. at her school. “She loves so many artistic things,” Rita acclaimed. “She loves to play piano, to sing, to draw, to learn. Everything she does is beautiful.” Monica, 9 years old, is considered the kind and compassionate child of the three. She is always eager to help and support her family in any way she can. She just finished cheerleading
