Arriving in New York in the 1880's, Alfonso was a man of drive, determination, and vision. Like many that came before and after him, he possessed a burning desire that his children and his children's children, would have every education advantage both life and freedom in America could possibly provide. He too came in search of a dream.

When Alfonse arrived from Abruzzi, Italy, it was customary at the time for all immigrants from Europe to pass through Ellis Island  where they had to give their  name to the officials who recorded it on ledgers and gave each new immigrant entry documents. Since few spoke English, the reception officials wrote the names down as they could understand them. Thus DeIuliis sounded like DiUlus (dee-U-les) to the official and it was written down Diulus. 

The change from  DeIuliis to DiUlus was a lesson in American ingenuity and change. Alfonse found it indeed made it easier for him and the family to do business in his new homeland. As with many who came to America in search of hope and prosperity, he shared a vision with immigrants of that era - America was the land of opportunity and its streets were paved with gold.

Alfonso remains today the quintessential everyman / everywoman who passed through Ellis Island in the late 19th Century; A hardworking, ambitious, risk taker -- the very attributes that define America's national psyche and entrepreneurial spirit.