Alessio Ciancone and Laura Maria Guidi

Alessio (Alex) was born on June 19, 1903 in San Pattio, Abruzzo, Italy to parents Vincenzo Ciancone, a forrester, and Giuditta, a caterer.  He was brother to Ulderico (Filomena Verna), Concetta (Ambrogio Ciaccia) and Ida (Carmine Rantucci) of Kelowna, BC, and Gilda (Pietro Grazia) and Iolanda (Tommaso Pantoli) of Italy.

Laura was born on August 27, 1905 in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy to parents Luigi Guidi, a plasterer, and Ersilia Rossi, worker at the Canadian Cannery.  Laura had two brothers, Emilio (Dolinda Fussari) and Basilio, who died in Kelowna at age 13.

Alex and Laura were married at the Immaculate Conception Church in Kelowna on December 12, 1926.  They had three children: Gloria (Victor Ghini), Vilma (Mike Vujich) and Mario (Berbie Reiswig). 

Alex and Laura both followed family members who were already residing in Kelowna.  They both landed at Ellis Island before boarding trains to cross Canada.  Alex arrived in 1921 and Laura in 1922.  Alex worked at railway and sawmill jobs before landing a position at Calona Wines, where he worked as a supervisor until his retirement.  Laura worked at the Canadian Cannery.

Alex operated a small farm in the north end of Kelowna, growing fruit and vegetables.  He loved going to baseball, lacrosse and hockey games.  Laura was a great cook, loved her garden and yard, and knitted.  She had many dinners for out of town guests.

Alex passed away October 11, 1984 and Laura passed away February 9, 1997.  They are both interred at Kelowna Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Don Rampone, KCIC Heritage Committee