Ralph’s Block

Ralph Guido (b.1921) in San Pietro in Amantea, Italy, to a single mother who had the only oven in town and would barter for staples in exchange for baking bread. Ida Cimino (b.1921) was born in Conflenti, Italy to sharecroppers. They would both immigrate as adolescents, Ralph to Canada and Ida to Michigan.

Ralph Guido meets Ida Guido in Detroit, MI. They married in 1947 and have two sons, Fred (b. 1948) and Donald (b.1951).

The Guidos move from Dearborn, MI to Cudahy, CA. They purchase a small grocery store with a home on the property. Guidos Market opened in 1958. A few years later, a larger store is built that included a meat counter and deli.

Fred Guido runs for city council and becomes the youngest elected official in US history until the voting age changed. While working in the grocery store, a customer named Lucille, a teacher at the school across the street, buys cigarettes from Fred. Fred Guido married Lucille Cucinello (Mazzetti) in 1974.

Fred and Lucy Guido have two children, Marco (b.1983) and Cristina (b.1986). All the Guido’s move from Cudahy, CA, to Diamond Bar, CA, so they have more land to farm fruits and vegetables. Fred and Lucy build a wine cellar where everyone gathers, crushing grapes, making sausage and canning vegetables. It becomes the gathering place for all the families: Guido, Cimino, Fiorentino, Mastroianni and Pascuzzi.