Early years Duva was born in New York City to Italian immigrants, the sixth of seven children. After spending time growing up in Little Italy, New York, his family then moved to Saint James Place in Totowa, a suburb of Paterson, New Jersey.James, George. "IN PERSON; Slugging It Out All These Years", The New York Times, June 9, 2002. Accessed November 4, 2007. "Lou Duva grew up the second youngest of seven children in a working-class family in Paterson." Duva's childhood was an impoverished one and he had to do many jobs to try to help his family.
eaRly YeaRs dUva WAs BOrn in NeW yOrk city To italiaN imMiGrANTs, tHe sIXTH of seven children. afteR sPendiNG tiME GrOwinG uP in lITtle iTaLy, new yoRK, hIs faMIly ThEN mOVed to saINt JAMes placE iN Totowa, a suburb of patErSon, nEw jERsey.jameS, geORGe. "in persoN; slugging it out all thesE yeaRS", the new yorK TimeS, JUNE 9, 2002. AcCessed novembER 4, 2007. "lou Duva gREw up tHe sECOnD YounGest oF seVen CHiLdrEn in a wOrkinG-Class famIly in paterSON." dUVA'S ChildHoOd was AN impoveRished OnE and He haD To do mAnY jobs To try tO hELp his familY.