Violinist almost turned back

The tiny melody of a violin, climbing sharp peaks and descending again to lose its echo, filled the halls of the New York Public Health Department’s hospital. Thirty-five-year-old Italian immigrant Giuseppe Camilloni was facing deportation. His own violin was packed in his trunk, secured somewhere in the baggage room. He asked to borrow another – to entertain those who were intent on walking him to the edge of Ellis Island and putting him back on a ship.

Camilloni (sometimes spelled Camillone), had been born in Italy on March 19, 1886. He stood five feet and four inches tall and weighed 115 pounds. His hair and eyes were brown. But the eyes did him no good. Camilloni had been blind since birth. After it was planned that he would sail to America and reside with his older brother Antonio at 32 Walnut Street in the Johnston village of Thornton, Camilloni boarded the ship Pesaro at Naples and arrived on the shores of New York City on July 20, 1921.

When the immigration authorities at Ellis Island learned that Camilloni was totally blind, they cited a law regarding the deportation of any immigrant liable to become a public charge. Camilloni, who had attended the Rome Institute for the Blind as well as the Rome’s Conservatory of St. Cecil, explained to the authorities that he was well-educated and able to write as fast as a sighted person. Considered a musical genius as a composer, violinist and pianist, he had written, performed, published and sold numerous compositions despite not having the power of sight. As the deportation order stood, he appealed the decision to the Secretary of Labor.

When Antonio discovered that his little brother had been ordered detained and deported back to their homeland, he instigated a major ruckus. He involved the Italian population of Thornton as well as that in Silver Lake. He contacted politicians and immigration authorities, requesting that the liability law be waived on this specific occasion. Each of the local Italians took it upon himself to write and submit an affidavit guaranteeing that Camilloni would not become a public charge. After Antonio enlisted the help of an agent for the Society of Italian Immigrants, he was assured that his brother would not be deported until the matter had been carefully considered. Before long, it was decided that Camilloni could remain in the United States.

Rhode Island embraced Camilloni. Three months after he settled into Antonio’s home, a dinner to celebrate his life and achievements was held at the Narragansett Hotel. He went on to perform at grand concerts all over the state and taught piano and violin. The multi-talented musician continued composing his own pieces such as “Spring Motif” which he performed for the first time in 1930.

Camilloni spent his life residing in Rhode Island with Antonio – a jeweler – his wife, and children. They eventually left Johnston and relocated to Leah Street in Providence and then Pocasset Avenue. On the night of March 7, 1941, the 55-year-old was seriously injured when he was struck by an automobile while crossing Webster Avenue with a 16-year-old relative. Camilloni survived the accident and lived to the age of 85.