About the Author

Robert "Bob" James Gentile was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and still lives on the north side. He is a proud nonagenarian and thanks God for his long and healthy life. 

The Mas and The Pas is the culmination of Bob's gathering of his notes from the time he spent sharing stories with his wife Rosalie as she underwent years of cancer treatments.  Bob turned what could have been long and not very fun sessions into keeping Rosalie engaged while recording all the fun times they had with their families, their friends and raising their daughters. 

After Rosalie passed, Bob decided to write a book to honor Rosalie using his notes and many additional conversations with cousins.  Bob’s copious notes lead him to explore so many memories from his youth that lead to history, family, heritage, and food.  Bob wants to share with everyone how the Gentile and Rizzo families and extended families, to his knowledge, originated and lived here in Kenosha and the surrounding areas, and, how those who immigrated from Italy worked to establish a foundation that prepared the families for their future.