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

Epetondo is a marble cutter who dwells in the refugee building where Ida and Useppe go for shelter, Ida sees him as slightly "mad." Many in Italy are named Giuseppe —- this Giuseppe likes Ida and Useppe, and is very good to them. The three meet on the trail to Petrialata, where Giuseppe lets the tired baby Useppe ride in his wheelbarrow. Later, he leaves money sewn into his wool mattress for Ida. He names the large, mixed family who resides in the shelter "The Thousand," and is the owner of the aloof cat, Rosella (who later makes friends with Carlo Vivaldi).