STRANRAER’S Oyster Festival last weekend was particularly special for one family, who were reunited through the power of oysters.
Joe Pierce travelled from Connecticut to attend the the festival for the first time, where he was united with his half-brothers and sister.
And the family shared their incredible story at the festival that connected them.
Chef Douglas Lisi and cocktail expert Massimo Lisi have both played an important part in the event since it started in 2017, leading popular demonstrations that showcase local food and drink.
However this year, they were joined on stage by their half-brother, Joe who gave an emotional talk in front of a sell-out crowd about their reunion.
He said: “The Oyster Festival changed my life. Until two years ago, I had absolutely no idea that I had family here living in Stranraer.”
Joe’s mother moved to the United States from her home in Bo’ness, and Joe also then emigrated to the USA as a child. He said: “I knew only a little bit about my family background. My mother being Scottish didn’t tell me much, I knew my father was Italian, I knew his name, that he was proxy married to an Italian girl, and that after I was born he went back to Italy.”
For ten years Joe and his two daughters searched for information about his father but after finding nothing, they gave up. But two years ago all that changed, Joe explained: “My sister Emily was researching oysters online in Scotland, and came across Stranraer Oyster Festival and the name Massimo Lisi.”
It was the same last name as Joe’s father so Emily scrolled through Massimo’s Facebook page and saw an archive image of Massimo’s father who looked remarkably like Joe.
Joe has spent his entire life wondering about his family roots. He added: “I have lived through this for the last 70 years, thinking about ‘if’ there is a family, would they accept me.”
He needn’t have worried as there was a strong, immediate connection.
“Within 20 minutes I had spoken to all my half-siblings,” he said. “I really appreciate that I found this family and thank you so much for accepting me.”
The evening at the oyster festival with his brothers and sister was extra special as Joe was joined by members of his family from Bo’ness, as well as his wife and family who travelled from America.
Although the family has met in both Scotland and in America previously, this was Joe’s first visit to Stranraer Oyster Festival.
Romana Lisi was part of the audience watching her three brothers and she said: “It was a very emotional seeing them all together, I was overwhelmed but I am extremely grateful for the experience. Joe spoke so eloquently and it brought back speaking to him for the first time when we were both in floods of tears.
“If it wasn’t for the oyster festival and a chance search, we would have been oblivious to each other’s existence.”
