Who is Epetondo (Cuchiarelli) Guiseppe Secondo from History: A Novel and what is their importance?

Epetondo (Cuchiarelli) Guiseppe Secondo is a marble cutter. He lives in the building where Ida and Useppe shelter. He is very kind to Ida and Useppe and provides them with money. His name for the large group of people residing in the refugee shelter is "The Thousand."