Silvano Sal Frantellizzi was born in the town of Boville, in the province of Frosinone, in the Lazio region of Italy. In the mid-1970s, he came to the United States as a young teenager with his parents—his father, Francesco, a bricklayer, and his mother, Maria Annetta, a devoted homemaker who spoke no English at the time. Their move to America was made possible through the invitation of his uncle Enrico, his mother’s brother, and Carolina, who were living on Long Island.
Silvano attended high school in Elmont, New York. The first two years were challenging as he adjusted to a new country and culture, but he remained determined to build a future in America.
In 1980, he returned to Italy to play soccer and spent one year studying at a private Liceo Linguistico (language school) in the city of Frosinone. He later returned to the United States and attended Western Connecticut State University on a scholarship, where he earned his Associate Degree.
In 1991, while living in South Huntington and raising a young family, Silvano started his own limousine business. He was young, motivated, and determined to succeed so he could provide a strong future for his children. That same year, his daughter was born, and his son followed in 1994. Through starting and running his limousine business, he gained extensive real-life experience and developed a deep understanding of the importance of being cautious and aware while navigating life in a big city.Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Silvano worked in the metropolitan area while continuing to play soccer with various teams and traveling to Europe. In 2005, he joined Local 282 Teamsters Union, Construction Division, in New York City, where he worked until his retirement in 2024.
He is known by the nickname “Baroncino” in Italy, “Stitch” on Long Island, and “NYU” in New York City. Today, he divides his time between Italy and Long Island, New York.
Why He Wrote This Book
Silvano wrote this book to share hard-earned wisdom drawn from real-life experience. His goal is to offer honest advice—especially about being cautious and not placing trust in people who ask too many questions or have unclear intentions. His perspective comes from lived experience on the streets of New York City, not from an office or academic setting. As he believes, experience cannot be bought—it must be earned.