Herkimer's Largest Mustache

Most mens mustache come and go, but Tony Maida's mustache always remained just the same. For those who knew him, the mustache was his trademark

Top left - in uniform during World Was One at about age 25.center right - about the time he immigrated to America in 1922, at about age 30.bottom left, proudly at his doughter Dolores' wedding in 1957, at age 65


Maida’s Six-inch ‘TascheGrown- Daring World War IIShaved by Bevy of LassiesTony Maida was born 23 September 1890 in Pianopoli Catanzaro Italy, and died 23 August 1966 in Herkimer Newr York.He immigrated to the United States on board the S. S. America arriving on 1 Nov. 1922. settled in Herkimer at 125 william St.The Instant the whistle sounded Tony Maida, 54, a World War 1 veteran. climbed on a chair and announced 'I'm ready to have this six inch mustache shaved."The chair was In front. of his home in 302 Dewey Ave. and the mustache represented-growth since the war started. At 7:12 p. m. 'Miss Pau1ine Annuotto appeared with anold fashioned sword and snipped off the first couple hairs. "Hey" Maida yelled as he tossed a quart of "Glendale" into the air.A bevy of girls swarmed around and each taking turns 0n clipping the mustache.The trimmers were Florence Annutto,Bessie Maneen, and Anne Macri With Mrs. Louise Giangregorio putting on the final touch Maida, then went to Anthony Cirillo’s barber shop to have "the rough edges removed."
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Herkimer's Largest Mustache - Article by Tony Scalise; Grandpa Antonio Maida, proprietor of Tony's Restaurant in Herkimer, NY, was well known for his long, handlebar mustache that he sported much of his life. In fact, like many other immigrants of his day, he arrived on the shores of Ellis Island with such a mustache - waxed, neatly trimmed and pointed at the ends. Back then many nationalistic Europeans, eager to emulate their rulers, fondly copied their beards or mustaches: Italians grew long, handle-bar mustaches in honor of King Vittorio Emmanuele the Third while Austrians grew sideburns in honor of their emperor Franz Joseph. The Englishmen, not to be outdone, would don full beards like their own King George the Fifth.But as with Old Abe's beard, Gramp's mustache would also make its way into the history books. On February 11, 1942, two months after Pearl Harbor was attacked, Gramp's first-born son, Pasquale, left to serve with General Patton's Army in Europe. It was then that Gramp, in a spirit of patriotic fervor, vowed that he would never trim back his mustache again until the war was over and his son was home safe and sound.That day would not arrive until more than three years later, on a cloudy and humid August evening in Herkimer, when V-J Day occurred. It was Tuesday at 7:00 pm, and a piercing, twenty minute-long whistle heard throughout the town signified that Japan had finally surrendered. Upon hearing the whistle, all of Herkimer erupted into a frenzied celebration. Stores and offices were closed as the people took to the streets to celebrate the long awaited victory. Countless parades took place in the village. Church bells were tolling, factory whistles were blowing, and car horns were tooting as people were beating on pots and pans. A few Roman candles were fired off while a bonfire was lighted on the corner of Dewey Ave. and Smith St., just outside of the restaurant.To Gramp that meant the war was over and Pasquale would soon come home. He grabbed a chair and stood upon it outside his restaurant, shouting to those around him "I'm ready to have this six-inch mustache shaved!"Soon a crowd gathered around Gramp. Two old swords hanging above his bar in the restaurant were retrieved for the occasion. Five giggling women - including the maiden sisters, Pauline and Florence Annuto, Bessie Maneen, Anne Macri, and Mrs. Louise Giangregorio were among those who flocked around Gramp, eager for the opportunity to trim back his long, bushy mustache.As a press photographer looked on, the Annuto sisters each held one end of the now six-inch long mustache and drew their sword over it to pretend they were trimming it off. After the Annuto sisters trimmed off the first few hairs, the other ladies quickly followed suit, each clipping off several more hairs until there was little left of Gramp's mustache. A boisterous Gramp then tossed some champagne into the air and cheered to an applauding crowd that had now grown to about 30 people.Gramp then marched onward toward Cirelli's barbershop just down the street to have "the rough edges removed." The crowd paraded behind him, banging on pots, pans, and washtubs. There Cirelli removed the remaining hairs and Herkimer's largest mustache was no more.