Amilcare (Mike) Durante and Norma Moretti

Norma and Mike Durante

Mike was born in 1923 in Montebelluna, Veneto, Italy. Norma was born in 1927 in Miradolo, Mestre, Venice. Mike spent several years in the Italian army before making his way to Canada. In 1953, Mike returned from Canada and married Norma. On his second voyage to Canada, he left Genoa (May 25, 1955) on the SS Constitution.  During this voyage, he met fellow barber, Mario Puppato. Mike made his way to Edmonton, Alberta. In 1964, Mike and Norma stopped to visit Mario in Kelowna, BC.  They were on their way to Vancouver to adopt their son, Ricardo.

Two years later, Mario convinced Mike to move to Kelowna and join him in what would become Mario’s 4 Barbers (Puppato, Zol, Franchini and Durante) in the Shops Capri strip mall. Mike opened his own barber shop, Sir Barber, on Lawrence Avenue in 1976. Seven years later, Mario Puppato retired from his shop at Capri, but this was short lived. He began working for Mike at Sir Barber. Norma spent many years as a hairdresser, in the same building where Sir Barber was located.

Mike was an avid Bocce player. He was one of several responsible for the establishment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre Bocce lanes. Later, with the aid of the City of Kelowna, he helped create and maintain the Bocce Club lanes near Rose Avenue. Mike was very proud of his park-like garden. He enjoyed visiting friends and neighbours and sharing his garden’s bounty with them.  Mike was a clever joke teller, always having the perfect joke for each of his friends or clients. He enjoyed his home-made wine and Norma’s crunchy bread.

Mike and Norma made many trips to attend events, such as the BC Summer Games in cities throughout British Columbia. They were active dancers.

Mike passed away at Kelowna General Hospital on February 10, 2019, at the age of 96.  Norma passed away peacefully on February 27, 2021 at the age of 94. They are survived by son Ricardo, two grand-daughters, Emily and Alyssa, and a large extended family.

Contributed by D E Rampone, co-chair Kelowna Canadian Italian Club Heritage Committee