Fishtown Boy (Philadelphia, Oxford, Girard: for sale, house, neighborhood)

[Robert Spiller]

I am a current Colorado native who grew up in Fishtown (around Girard ave and Shackamaxon). I left in 1968 to join the Air Force--there was this war. I am a mid-list murder mystery writer; The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers (my sleuth is a Colorado math teacher). I am starting a new series set in the sixties in Fishtown. I wonder if anybody out there grew up in the area in this time and still lives in or around Fishtown. I would love talking with you about my home town. My folks moved from the area in the 1980's.

[sindey]

Originally Posted by Robert Spiller

I am a current Colorado native who grew up in Fishtown (around Girard ave and Shackamaxon). I left in 1968 to join the Air Force--there was this war. I am a mid-list murder mystery writer; The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers (my sleuth is a Colorado math teacher). I am starting a new series set in the sixties in Fishtown. I wonder if anybody out there grew up in the area in this time and still lives in or around Fishtown. I would love talking with you about my home town. My folks moved from the area in the 1980's.

Hey there,
I was just reading your post and I sometimes get on the Philly thread to see if anyone is on there from Fishtown.
(sometimes homesick- )
I live in Phoenix,AZ now
My dad lived there until he passed away in 2003.
I grew up in Fishtown also, I went to Holyname,then mom put us all in public school. I went to Penn Treaty Jr. High.
I went back to Catholic school and graduated in 1973.
I went back to be with my dad before he died in 2003 but, haven't been back since. I sometimes think about growing up in Fishtown in the 60's myself.

[Ffishtownn]

While sitting in my kitchen in my house on Oxford Street early Christmas morning, Mike Casey (from Crease Street) tells us a story. Mike was in bar a few days ago and someone asked him if he was from Fishtown. Mike was told that some guy named Robert Spiller has a posting on the INTERNET
looking for folks who grew up in Fishtown. And that Spiller has written some books and was working on a murder mystery series set in Fishtown.

We are happy to learn that Spiller is still alive, well and writing books. Every year, the three of us spend Christmas Eve together and talk about the old times. The three of us are Mike Casey, John Lonergan and Joyce Windfelder.

So Hello, Robert Spiller, great to be here and replying to your post.

Mike Casey has moved back into Fistown. I never left Fishtown nor did John. I have been living on Oxford Street for over fifty years. I live next door to my best friend in world, John Lonergan. Over the years, Casey, Lonergan and I have become the best of friends. We often talked about somebody writing a book about Fishtown and the wonderful folks that lived here, back in the 50's / 60's era. The old crowd from the Immaculate Conception School and Tip Top Playground were amazing people. The Catholics and the Publics.

Mike Casey visits his family first on Christmas Eve. Next, Georgie Hall and family and ends up at my house for our Christmas visit.

My three sons, their mates and I attend Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and Paul. It would not be Christmas unless we heard the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir, singing all the old great songs for Christmas. Oh, yes, my brother, Tom Windfelder, is the choir director. Tommy has arranged the Christmas music in the same style we heard as children at the Immaculate during Midnight Mass. Tom has the boys singing not only in English but also Latin, German and French.

After staying up late on Christmas Eve, I was able to get a few hours sleep. I had to wake up early so I could go to my Mom's house to cook breakfast. Since Mom lives on Marlborough Street, I only have to walk around the corner. Every Christmas, I have breakfast with my mom, my aunt, my two brothers (Tom and Rob), my sons with their mates and me.

After breakfast, I asked my brother Tom, a question. One of those who is it, type of questions. But first I set up the question. I tell Tommy, that there is this guy, who used to live on Crease Street, who has moved away and is writing books. This guy has a posting on the Internet and is planning to write a book with Fishtown as the setting. Who is it? Tommy comes up with the name of "Robert Spiller" within seconds.

I was shocked at his quick response. How did Tommy know it was Spiller. The redheaded kid. Tommy explains that he was in the same class with Robert. That Robert always had a great interest in words and their meanings. Tommy noted that whenever Robert heard a new word that he did not understand, he would look it up. Robert was always curious about words.

My brother Tom and Rob live in Fishtown. My brother, Ken and his family have moved to Bucks County. Yet, he and his family spend all their holiday time here in fishtown. My dad, Hank Windfelder has pasted away, yet his spirit is still with his family and neighborhood that he loved so much.

Many big changed here in Fishtown, like Else Harty's house at 1115 Marlborough Street being listed for sale at $400,000.00. The on going war over the Sugar House Casino being built or not at Shackie and Delaware Ave.
But, many things stay the same. The Corp Charles J. Glenn, 3RD, USMC Memorial stands at the corner of Marlborough and Wildey Streets. The Glenn Memorial remains bright and clean. Untouched by any harm. Every Memorial Day, many Fishtowners gather and remember. The Memorial has 11 names of our fallen veterans from the neighborhood.

The Glenn Memorial was established in 1967. Mr Broll and Else Hartly are two names that come to mind with the building of the memorial. Our Fishtown, Vietnam Veterans Memorial may be the first one built in our country. If not the first, then one of the oldest memorials dedicated to the men and woman who served in Vietnam. And there is stands, a humble witness to the loyal character of Fishtown and it's people.

So, if you need any help with your writings, please contact me. It is so great to find out that you are doing so well and still remember Fishtown.
sincerely, Joyce

[Robert Spiller]

Dear Joyce,

I just went to the Philly thread and read your incredible reply to the posting I left a few weeks ago (I am not the best at getting back to these postings although I know you and I have written in the interrim). After reading it and seeing the love you have for the old neighborhood, I was so touched I had to write back immediatey, especially at this wonderful time of the year. Please say hello to Tom for me and give him my e-mail address so I can correspond with him. Also if you can think of anyone else who I might have known please feel free to let them know as well.

I am on the sixth chapter of the book.

[bobstar48]

I am also an ex-Fishtowner, I knew Mike Casey and the Spiller name is familiar but cannot remember Robert. You may know me as "Stars"
I recently returned from a trip back to Vietnam and my blog is available at back2vietnam.blogspot.com
I was a friend of Charlie Glenn and still talk to his aunt online. I also remember Bill sessions and chat with his sister online as well.

I went to school with Jerry Conroy, Jack Senwesky, Johnny Rooney (now deceased), Bill Strunk, Denny Mickles, Kathy Spross, Carolyn Bernard, Loretta Pawlish and many others. Please point them to me if you know them.

I served in Vietnam and will never forget the day we found out that Charlie was killed. I wrote several poems about him on the Wall website. Please take a look at http://thewall-usa.com/literary/bobstara.htmlAway In A Bunker: Bob Staranowicz - ©1997 and http://thewall-usa.com/literary/escort.html The Escort: Bob Staranowicz - ©2000[/url]

If there is anyone from Immaculate Conception class of 62 , North Catholic Class of 66 please send me a note by direct message. Moderator cut: Publishing e-mail addresses on a public forum is not recommended.

[NJ2MDdude]

My parents are from neighboring Northern Liberties, but my father saw Elvis at a theater on Girard St, somewhere near McDonalds, back in the 1950s.

[bobstar48]

Originally Posted by Robert Spiller

I am a current Colorado native who grew up in Fishtown (around Girard ave and Shackamaxon). I left in 1968 to join the Air Force--there was this war. I am a mid-list murder mystery writer; The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers (my sleuth is a Colorado math teacher). I am starting a new series set in the sixties in Fishtown. I wonder if anybody out there grew up in the area in this time and still lives in or around Fishtown. I would love talking with you about my home town. My folks moved from the area in the 1980's.

Bob I am also an ex-(well we are never ex) Fishtowner and a writer too. IF you want to discuss the old Fishtowners, let me know. I was known as "Stars" back in the day, e mail me at bobstar101@gmail.com

I grew up on the 100 block of Richmond, I knew Spillers but can't recall. Did you live near Harmer Hall, or Cookie Bernard 1100 block? or down in the 1000 block?

[tommy spross]

hi my name is tommy spross i grew up in fishtown i lived on oxford st i now live on firth st i know ray casey im 58 my email is tspross882comcast.net would like to here from someone from fishtown

[bobstar48]

Tommy
Are you the same Spross from Marlborough sttreet -- with Kathy, Bubba, etc??

[otters21]

Does any one know the Horvath/Pesyna family on E.Norris St.?