KELOWNA CANADIAN ITALIAN CLUB
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Le prime famiglie italiane di Kelowna 

The first Italian families of Kelowna

Alfredo Bonaldi and Luisa Turri

6/7/2022

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Picture
Alfredo Bonaldi  was born in Torrite, Toscana, Italy on March 5, 1921.  He was the son of Giovanni F.L. Bonaldi (1884-1933) and Editta Grassi (1888-1948). Alfredo’s wife, Maria  Luisa Turri, was born in Pieve, Fosciana, Tuscany in 1928. Her parents were Aurelio Turri (1895-1973) and Gemma Guidi (1901-1983). Both families were farmers.

In 1940, Alfredo was drafted in the Italian army. At the same time, he applied to become a policeman and was quickly accepted. He was sent to Palermo, Italy, and served for two years as a policeman.  He then returned home and worked in the local coal mines.  

Working in a coal mine was a health concern and the Bonaldi’s explored the idea about immigrating to Canada. Luisa’s sister, Yolanda Bravi, was already living in West Summerland, BC, and her Uncle, Samuele Turri, and Aunt, Clelia Martinelli, lived in Kelowna, BC.

Alfredo and Luisa had obtained sponsors in British Columbia: Francis and Iris Steuart. The Steuart family was one of Summerland’s most prominent orchardists. The Bonaldi family arrived in Canada in 1951 with their new daughter, six month old Editta. Their family expanded in 1955 with the birth of Patricia, and five years later, Liana. 

From 1951 until 1957, the Bonaldi’s operated the Steuart’s twenty acre orchard. The Bonaldi family paid back Aunt Clelia for the travel expenses from Italy, and bought their first home in Summerland.  Alfredo was hired by the Summerland Experimental Farm  (Summerland Research and Development Centre) and remained there until his retirement. Alfredo became a well-known orchardist, viticulturalist and arborist. 

Luisa was employed as a packer for the Occidental Fruit Company. She worked there until her retirement. The Bonaldi home was famous for their homemade cooking and homemade ‘vino’.  Their home featured a huge garden and photographs of some of their crops made the local Summerland Review newspaper. 
Hobbies included  bocce ball in their backyard. Fishing in Trout Creek, card playing and dancing were also favourite pastimes. The Bonaldi family easily made friends with many from Summerland. These friendships expanded with members of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club.

In 2012, both Alfredo and Luisa passed away and are interred at the Canyon View Cemetery in Summerland. They left behind their treasures, adorable grandchildren: Travis Inglis, Eric Inglis, Jesse Taylor, Anthony Taylor, Pamela (Felker) Judd and Stephanie (Felker) Eden.

Edi Bonaldi Inglis, daughter
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    Research and photos of First Families by Don Rampone

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The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club acknowledges that our clubhouse is situated on the beautiful unceded traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. Who, for thousands of years, have lived in harmony with nature and continue to this day to offer us so much culture and understanding.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • About KCIC and Our History
    • President's Message
    • Vice President's Message
    • Executive and Directors
    • Membership
    • Volunteers
  • NEWS & ARTICLES
    • The Grapevine Newsletter
    • THE ITALIAN GARDENER
    • Kelowna's First Families
    • Pietro's Spazio Sport
    • Book Reviews
    • Mangia Mangia Recipes
  • WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KCIC
    • 2023 Calendar
    • Club Happenings >
      • Joe Avati World Tour
      • KCIC Dinners & Special Events
      • La Nostra Famiglia Italiana >
        • Upcoming NFI Events >
          • NFI - Spaghetti
        • Past NFI Events >
          • NFI - Bisnonno
          • NFI - L'Acqua
          • NFI - Terrazzo
          • NFI - Guerra
          • NFI - Lilia
          • Coming to Pier 21
          • Dalla Terra
          • Dialetti!
          • Sveva Caetani
          • Emilio Picariello
        • Family Tree Workshops
        • Between Neighbours
      • Giuseppe's Cafe
      • La Bella Tavola - Cooking Classes
      • Bocce
      • La Scuola Italiana - Italian Language
      • KCIC Library
    • Il Nostro Lascito Legacy Project
    • Our 55th Birthday!
  • More From Us
    • CONTACT US
    • 50th ANNIVERSARY >
      • 50th Anniversary
      • Mercato
      • Dinner & Dance Gala
    • Miss Kelowna Cdn. Italian Club
    • PHOTOS >
      • Photos
    • Calendar Page
  • Take Out Dinners
  • New Page