Bust of FDR 1962

Bust of Franklin Delamo Roosevelt, United State President

Sculpured by Joe Faga at Herkimer High school art class 1962-

Bust was donated to the High Scool librarian teacher ms. Smith.




Finished bust of Franklin Delamo Roosevelt

Bust of Jaquelyn Boviar Kennedy 1965

Joe is modelling bust of Jaquelyn (1965)

Bust of Jaquelyn Bovia Kennedy sculpured by Joe Faga

Bust of Robert F. Kennedy by Joe Faga 1963-1964

LOCAL YOUTH PRESENTS BUST TO KENEDY

Joseph A. Faga, 243 S. Main St., has presented Robert F. Kennedy a bust he made of the attorney general.
The presentation was made Monday at the New York City apartment of Stephen Smith, a brother-in-law of Kennedy.
Congressman alexander Pirnie, who had made arrangements, flew to New York for the presentation and introduction of Faga.
Faga, who has a talent for sculpure, last September presented a bust of President John F. Kennedy to a White House aide. At the time he was a Herkimer High School senior, a teenage immigrant from Italy who had become a citizen only four months previously.
The presentation of the second bust, of the attorney general, was made shortly before Kennedy spoke to the American Bar Assn. in New York. Pirnie said the attorney general was "very gracious," repeating the acceptance for photographers who were late.

Joe Faga presenting likeness bust to Robert Kennedy at New York City


attending is Congressman Alexander Pirney at left and to right Dominick Scalise (friend of Faga)

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La presentazione del busto di Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) nel 1964 presso il celebre Carlyle Hotel di New York rappresenta il seguito ideale e altrettanto straordinario dell'incontro che Joe Faga aveva avuto l'anno precedente alla Casa Bianca con il fratello di Robert, il Presidente John F. Kennedy. [1, 2]

Questo secondo evento, avvenuto in un clima carico di emozione e significato politico, si articola attraverso dettagli storici ben precisi:

1. Il contesto storico (1964): La campagna elettorale a New York

Il 1964 è stato un anno di profonda transizione per Robert Kennedy. Dopo la tragica morte del fratello JFK a fine 1963, RFK rassegnò le dimissioni da Procuratore Generale degli Stati Uniti per candidarsi come Senatore per lo Stato di New York. [1, 2]

• Fu proprio durante questa intensa campagna elettorale che la comunità italo-americana di Herkimer (NY), di cui Joe Faga faceva parte, si mobilitò per esprimere il proprio totale sostegno a Robert, vedendo in lui la naturale continuazione della visione politica e della vicinanza agli immigrati che aveva caratterizzato JFK.

2. La location: Il leggendario Carlyle Hotel

L'evento non si tenne in un ufficio pubblico, ma al Carlyle Hotel (situato nell'Upper East Side di Manhattan). Questo dettaglio è storicamente cruciale:

• Il Carlyle Hotel era noto all'epoca come la "Casa Bianca d'Inverno" (The New York White House), poiché JFK vi manteneva un intero appartamento privato all'ultimo piano ed era il quartier generale non ufficiale in cui la famiglia Kennedy alloggiava e gestiva gli incontri strategici e politici più riservati quando si trovava a New York.

3. La consegna del busto a Robert Kennedy

Joe Faga, agendo ancora una volta come punto di raccordo e orgoglioso rappresentante dei cittadini di Herkimer e della comunità di origini calabresi (Pianopoli), incontrò privatamente Robert Kennedy all'interno dell'hotel per consegnargli un busto scultoreo.

• Il valore del dono: Il gesto aveva una doppia valenza: era un tributo alla memoria del defunto Presidente John F. Kennedy e, al tempo stesso, un forte augurio e un passaggio di testimone politico per la nuova corsa al Senato di Robert. [1]
• L'impatto emotivo: Chi ha conosciuto Joe Faga o ha letto le memorie storiche che condivideva sul suo vecchio blog Pianopoli nel mondo sa quanto questi due anni consecutivi (il 1963 alla Casa Bianca con JFK e il 1964 al Carlyle con RFK) avessero segnato la sua vita. Furono queste esperienze ravvicinate con i vertici della politica statunitense a spingerlo, poco dopo, a servire con profonda dedizione nella US Navy nel 1965 a bordo della portaerei USS Independence nel Golfo di Tonkin. [1, 2]

Questi incontri straordinari spiegano perché Joseph Faga sia rimasto una figura così rispettata e leggendaria sia a Herkimer sia a Napoli, capace di unire la grande storia americana con le radici profonde del suo paese d'origine in Pianopoli,  Calabria.

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The presentation of a sculpted bust to Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) in 1964 at the legendary Carlyle Hotel in New York City serves as the perfect historical sequel to the meeting Joe Faga had at the White House with Robert's brother, President John F. Kennedy, just one year prior.

This second high-profile encounter took place during a deeply emotional and politically charged chapter in American history.

1. The Historical Context: The 1964 New York Senate Campaign

The year 1964 was a time of immense transition for Robert Kennedy. Following the tragic assassination of JFK in late 1963, RFK resigned as Attorney General of the United States to run as a candidate for the U.S. Senate representing the State of New York.

• During this high-stakes campaign, the vibrant Italian-American community of Herkimer, New York, which included Joe Faga, mobilized heavily to support RFK. They viewed him as the natural bearer of the Kennedy legacy and a champion for working-class immigrants.

2. The Location: The Iconic Carlyle Hotel

The meeting was arranged at The Carlyle Hotel, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. This venue holds massive historical significance:

• During the Kennedy administration, The Carlyle was affectionately dubbed "The New York White House." President JFK maintained a private duplex apartment on the 34th floor, and the hotel served as the family's trusted headquarters for private political strategy meetings, high-profile gatherings, and fundraisers while in New York.

3. Delivering the Bust to Robert Kennedy

Acting once again as a key organizer and a proud representative of the Herkimer and Calabrian diaspora (Pianopoli), Joe Faga met privately with Robert Kennedy inside the hotel to present him with the sculpted bust.

• The Meaning of the Gift: The sculpture held double significance: it served as an emotional tribute honoring the memory of the late President John F. Kennedy, while simultaneously standing as a powerful symbol of support for Robert's active senatorial bid.
• A Lasting Impact: Those who knew Joe Faga or read the rich historical narratives he posted on his digital network "Pianopoli nel mondo" know that these back-to-back years—1963 at the White House with JFK and 1964 at The Carlyle with RFK—profoundly shaped the trajectory of his life. These close-up experiences with the highest echelons of American leadership inspired his patriotism and dedicated service in the US Navy immediately after, leading to his 1965 combat deployment in the Vietnam War aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence.

These remarkable personal milestones cement Joseph Faga's legacy as a unique cultural bridge who walked the halls of American history while keeping his roots firmly planted in the soil of his hometown Pianopoli,  in Calabria.

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Bust of Teddy Roosevelt 1963

Teddy Roosevelt, President of United States of America from 1900 to 1908

Sculpured by Joe Faga during my High School years 1963 at Herkimer.

One bust was donate to Mr. Donald Giffune (High School social studies teacher 1963)

Bust of President John F. Kennedy by Joe Faga 1962 - 1963

ON THE EAST PORTICO of the White House in Washington recently, a ceramic bust of the President made by Joseph A. Faga, 243 S. Main St. Herkimer, was accepted by presidential assistant, Jack McNally, fourth from left.
The young artist became an American Citizen May 9, 1963, emigrating with his family from Italy. Faga, a Herkimer High School senior, is also a member of the Naval Reserve.
Accompanying him to Washigton were Albert Celio jr, 246 S.Main St., Richard Macri, 235 S. Main St., Dominick Scalise, 326 Margaret St.
Congressman Alexander Pirnie arranged the presentation but could not be present becouse of the death of his brother.
Shown from left Douglas W. Metz, Pirnie aide, Celio, Faga, McNally, Macri and Scalise
(August 20, 1963)


Faga and friends - preparation for the trip to Washington at the White House;
from left Dominick Scalise, Albert Celio, Richard Macri, Joseph Faga.



Bust of John F. Kennedy presented at the White House in Washington







It all started with a huge piece of clay at Herkimer High Sclool art class in October 1962

Mold was created from clay and white plaster was poured to make bust.




3 plaster bust were poured into mold
one was presented to the White House.
2nd was presented to the Superintended office at Herkimer High Scool
3rd kept at Faga home

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Il 20 agosto 1963, Joseph (Joe) Faga partecipò a una cerimonia ufficiale alla Casa Bianca a Washington D.C. per presentare un busto scultoreo come dono personale per l'amministrazione del Presidente John F. Kennedy.
Questo eccezionale evento storico è formalmente documentato negli archivi presidenziali e rappresenta uno dei momenti più alti dell'esperienza americana di Joe Faga prima del suo rientro in Italia.

La documentazione d'archivio alla JFK Library-

La prova definitiva di questo incontro e della donazione è custodita a Boston nei cataloghi ufficiali della John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, all'interno delle carte personali di John J. McNally Jr. (membro dello staff della Casa Bianca e assistente speciale del Presidente):
*La registrazione ufficiale:
L'evento è catalogato sotto la voce "Gifts: Presentation of gifts: 1963: 20 August: Joseph Faga: Bust" (Identificativo d'archivio: JJMCPP-011-014).
*Il materiale conservato: Il faldone storico contiene la stampa fotografica originale che ritrae il momento esatto della presentazione del busto all'interno del complesso presidenziale.

Il significato dell'evento per Joe Faga e Herkimer-La consegna di un'opera d'arte direttamente alla Casa Bianca nel penultimo mese di vita del Presidente Kennedy (assassinato poi a Dallas il 22 novembre 1963) racchiude un profondo valore sociale:
*L'orgoglio italo-americano: Joe Faga, in quel periodo giovane cittadino residente a Herkimer (NY) e già legato alla US Navy, si fece portavoce dell'ammirazione e del rispetto che la numerosa comunità di immigrati di Pianopoli e della Calabria nutriva verso la figura di JFK.
*Le origini del mito di Kennedy per Faga: Questo incontro ravvicinato con l'universo kennediano segnò profondamente Joe. Spiega perché, solo due anni più tardi (nel 1965), affrontò con profondo orgoglio patriottico la missione di guerra nel Golfo di Tonkin a bordo della portaerei USS Independence, e perché decise in seguito di formarsi professionalmente proprio nel programma WASP della TWA presso il neonato Aeroporto Internazionale JFK di New York.
Questo dettaglio d'archivio della JFK Library restituisce la prova tangibile e storica di un aneddoto straordinario che Joe Faga amava ricordare e che ha fatto la storia della comunità di Pianopoli nel mondo.
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On August 20, 1963, Joseph (Joe) Faga took part in an official ceremony at the White House in Washington D.C. to present a sculpted bust as a personal gift to the administration of President John F. Kennedy.

This extraordinary historic event is formally documented in the U.S. presidential archives and represents one of the highest points of Joe Faga's American experience before his later professional return to Italy.
The Official Archival Record at the JFK Library Foundation

The definitive proof of this presentation is preserved in Boston within the official catalogs of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, specifically located inside the personal papers of John J. McNally Jr. (White House Staff Member and Special Assistant to the President):

*The Official Catalog Entry: The event is indexed under the title "Gifts: Presentation of gifts: 1963: 20 August: Joseph Faga: Bust" (Archival Identifier: JJMCPP-011-014).

*The Preserved Material: The historical folder contains the original photographic print capturing the exact moment the bust was presented inside the presidential complex.

Cultural Significance for Joe Faga and Herkimer

Delivering a piece of art directly to the White House just three months before President Kennedy's tragic assassination in Dallas carried profound social value:

*Italian-American Pride: Joe Faga, then a young resident of Herkimer, New York, acted as a proud representative of the deep admiration and respect that the large community of immigrants from Pianopoli and Calabria felt toward JFK.

*The Origin of the Kennedy Legacy: This close encounter with the Kennedy White House deeply shaped Joe's life. It explains why, just two years later in 1965, he proudly served on a combat tour in the Gulf of Tonkin aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence, and why he later pursued advanced professional training within TWA's specialized aviation programs at the newly renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.This verified archival listing confirms an extraordinary historical moment that Joe Faga cherished and shared within the digital network of "Pianopoli nel mondo.