Get to Know Your Neighbor: Raphael Rodolfi
By Brian Buralli
Street you live on: Moss Avenue
Spouse/Partner/Children/Grandchildren:
Katie and our two children:
Luca (3 ½) and Rémi (9 months).
Where were you born: I was born in San Secondo, Parmense, Italy, but grew up in Montgeron, France. Montgeron is located in the southeast suburbs of Paris. Fun fact, Montgeron is where the 1st Tour de France started 111 years ago. Although I consider myself French and cheer for “les Bleus” (the French national soccer team) even if they play against Italy, I am not really French. Being ¾ Italian (my father and my maternal grandfather), 1/8 German (my maternal great-grandfather), 1/8 Russian (my maternal great-grandmother): am I more a European cocktail than anything else. Cheers!
Who was the most influential person to you: It’s hard to pinpoint one person because I believe that I am who I am thanks to a number of friends and relatives. However I do think that Mamie, my mom’s mom, Elisabeth, was the most influential as she raised me from the age of eight. She settled in France when she married my Italian grandpa, but she was born and raised in Germany. She was very loving and generous, but also very strict. Now that I have two kids, her teachings have never been so present and helpful.
What type of music are you listening to now: I am a huge fane of Dire Straits. Otherwise, since Europe is big into electronic music, I am no exception to the rule: I love Daft Punk and Air. Pharrel Williams’ “Happy” is an instant feel good song that I particularly enjoy listening to.
What was your first job: I was working as a sales specialist at a Louis Vuitton store in Paris, at Le Bon Marché, on the left bank of the Seine River. Our boutique was much smaller than the flagship store on the Champs Elysées and mostly served a local clientele. I was sent to New Zealand to work in the Auckland store during the Louis Vuitton and America’s Cup in 2000. It was an absolutely exhilarating experience! It was also during my time at Louis Vuitton that I met my wife, Katie. She was on a study abroad program in Paris for three months. I met her three weeks before she had to go back to the US thanks to a work colleague who was hosting one of her friends. Via phone, email and ICQ (chat) we had a long distance relationship. We each traveled many times to see one another. After graduating in June of 2002 from DePaul University, Katie came to live with me in Montgeron. She wanted to live in Paris, but finding an apartment there was impossible (so small and so expensive). It made more sense to stay in the suburbs, which wasn’t the ideal choice for her. Her job was in a suburb on the opposite side of Paris, making for a 1.5-hour commute each direction. After six months when her temporary work visa expired, she came back to the US. I followed two months later, in March 2003! 11 years later, I am still living the dream in the US and especially in Peoria, IL!
What accomplishment are you most proud of: Not one accomplishment but three: moving to the US, starting my own videography business, Videogénique and being a dad.
What is special about where you live: Everything! Everything about our house and neighborhood is what we dreamt of: an old house that has a lot of character and built strong; neighbors who are kind and caring (thanks Fritz Bock for snow blowing our sidewalk and driveway so many times this year); a beautiful and walkable neighborhood that has inspired so many pictures flickr.com/photos/96760292@N08/sets, so many historical houses, so close to downtown…We are very grateful to be here.
Any other information you’d like to share: We are thrilled to live in this neighborhood. We look forward to contributing to the magnificence and friendliness of this neighborhood for years to come.
