The Deeds of My Fathers, by Author Paul David Pope
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Although WHOM at 1480 on the AM radio dial did not have the 50,000-watt transmitting power Generoso coveted, it was a useful multiplier of Il Progresso’s influence. At a station dinner held sometime after Generoso’s death, Fortune (seated, far left, in striped tie) flanked the author’s grandmother, as did Anthony, while a grinning Gene is seated to the right of an unidentified staffer. President Truman really seems to be enjoying this meeting with Fortune (l.), Gene, and Anthony (r.). Sibling rivalry, so present in many dealings among the three brothers, doesn’t seem to be in evidence on this occasion. Gene Pope, Jr., beamed with pride as he displayed the front page of his first issue of the New York Enquirer, blaring the headline ike’s job for ridgway, pick clark for pacific. He’d been tipped to the story by Jack Anderson, Drew Pearson’s associate. Just as Pearson had written columns for Generoso, once Gene had his enterprise fully under way he paid Jack to write stories for him too. Mormon, with a large family including nine children, Anderson was happy for the work, and so independent-minded as to be indifferent to the fact that his byline was appearing in the ENQUIRER, which some journalists shunned. After his second divorce, Gene Pope didn’t wed again for three years. He married Lois Berridon Wood in 1965. She had two children from her earlier marriage, the author’s stepsisters Maria and Michele. Paul David Pope was born in 1967, and his sister Lorraine came along in 1972. Pope looked like a happy man as the newlyweds drove away from the church on that special day.
Paul Sitting On Gene's Lap At One Of Whymer's PartiesLike his father before him, Gene worked a lot; the author relished their time together. Paul Pope liked being with his father, whether he was working or hanging out at a party given by family friends, as here. On September 6, 1977—after weeks of digging by an ENQUIRER reporting team that spread cash all over Memphis—Gene Pope published an exposé that rocked the world. Based on interviews with insiders from Elvis’s entourage, it revealed that Elvis had for years been plunged into a dissolute lifestyle, abusing alcohol and addicted to prescription drugs. Here, Gene is admiring the blockbuster issue. Henry Dormann (l.), who had helped Pope gain distribution of the NATIONAL ENQUIRER into supermarkets, is shown here at the JFK Hospital benefit next to his wife, Karri, Cathy Lee Crosby, and Gene (r.). Gene Pope, Jr., with Bob Hope, at a JFK Hospital benefit.
Gene, with Paul, as the annual Christmas tree arrives at the NATIONAL ENQUIRER headquarters. The best antidote to Gene's periodic blues was the joy he derived from having employees locate and cut down a magnificent fir tree in the Pacific Northwest, place it atop a specially outfitted railroad car, and then hoist it into place on the ENQUIRER's campus in Lantana, Florida. Here is Gene, in 1985, in front of “The World’s Tallest Decorated Christmas Tree.” The 2001 pilgrimage the author made to Arpaise, Italy, and its surrounding villages was a revelation. After years of working on this book, he could at last see the ground that Generoso had trod—he was treated like returning royalty. Paul is located in the center. Paul David Pope dances with Arpaise villagers, celebrating his visit to his ancestral home.
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