Tomie’s parents gave him a trip to Europe after he graduated from Pratt Institute. Tomie went with a religious studies group comprised mostly of women of an age. The group traveled to Europe on the Italian ocean liner SS Andrea Doria. It was on the Andrea Doria’s return voyage to the U.S. that it collided with the MS Stockholm of the Swedish American Line off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, on July 25, 1956. It sank on July 26, 1956. Filmmaker and photojournalist Peter Gimbel produced two documentaries about the Andrea Doria. He opened the safe on live television in 1984 in the second documentary. We were watching and were surprised when a traveler’s cheque was shown with the signature of “Thomas DePaola.” During the voyage to Europe, Tomie had sneaked into the First Class lounge and paid for his drink with a traveler’s cheque. He had used a waterproof ink to sign his name. I had been trying for ages to find this clip to show Tomie. I didn’t discover it until last night. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaYbcCCCFMU Go to the time of 13:40. (Bob) Pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality
