Italian-American widower Joe Vitale lived in Hoboken, New Jersey, with two teenage sons. his best friend, Gus Duzik, worked with him at the Hoboken Sheet and Tube Company. as a typical middle class factory worker Joe did the best he could to raise his boys, hold down his job, and conduct some semblance of a social life. Helping him with the boys, and cooking an occasional meal for the family was Estelle, the cocktail waitress who lived in the apartment across the hall.moreless