KELOWNA CANADIAN ITALIAN CLUB
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Le prime famiglie italiane di Kelowna 

The first Italian families of Kelowna

Bob Giordano and Edna Wilson

6/14/2023

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Picture

​Robert Santo (Bob) Giordano was born on January 15, 1929 in Michel Natal, in the Kootenay region of BC, to parents Santo (Sandy) and Carmela (Mildred) Giordano.  The Giordano family moved to Kelowna, BC, in 1938, although Sandy continued to work in Michel until 1943.
​
Edna May Wilson was born on February 22, 1932 in New Westminster, BC, to parents Frank and Evelyn Wilson.  She came to Kelowna in 1951. Her first job upon arrival in Kelowna was at Loan’s Hardware Store on Bernard Avenue.  Following that, she worked for fifteen years, at Don Lange Jewellers. Bob and Edna were married in 1952 and they had four children: Janice (Jeff Moonen), Guyle (LeAudrey), Dalyce (Barnett), and Paul (Latha). Edna’s family tree has sprouted more branches.  She now has  5 children, 21 grandchildren and 4 great-grand children

Bob was a tireless promoter of hockey in 1950s and 60s.  There were few persons, involved in the sport’s world of Kelowna and district, who have not known or heard of Bob Giordano, as a friend and lifelong sportsman. His name was synonymous with hockey in this area. During his early hockey career, he worked (in an unofficial capacity) with Kelowna’s senior hockey club and became the league’s statistician, in 1954.  In 1957, he joined Jack O’Reiley as manager of the Kelowna Packers and played a large role in the team’s rise to fame in the 1957-58 season.  During 1958, the citizens of Kelowna were very proud to be represented in the Allan Cup playoffs by the Kelowna Packers. As a result of their great achievement, they were selected to be the first Canadian team to play inside Russia.

One of the most able general managers in Okanagan senior hockey, Bob was first elected as vice-president and players committee chairman of the Kelowna Packers, in 1957.  Genuinely interested in hockey, the young Kelowna director persevered with the club through difficult times.  The constant giving of his abilities to hockey went beyond Kelowna.

Bob passed away on October 30, 1965, following a sudden illness.  At the time he had been manager of the Kelowna Buckaroos Okanagan Junior Hockey Club, a team he helped establish in 1961.  He is laid to rest at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery.  Edna continues to reside in Kelowna.

In 1999, The Bob Giordano Memorial Award for Coach of the Year, was established.  It is given to an individual who has contributed significantly to Kelowna through voluntary service to amateur sport, such as coaching or administrative support. Also in 1999, Bob was presented with the Dunc Jamieson Award for his outstanding Volunteer Service Towards The Game of Hockey. Bob was inducted posthumously, to the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in 2016, under the builder category, for building a hockey legacy in Kelowna.


D. E. Rampone Kelowna Canadian Italian Club
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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
  • WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KCIC
    • 2025 Calendar
    • Club Happenings >
      • Giuseppe's Cafe
      • Trattoria Dinners
      • Bocce
      • LUNCH Open House
      • La Bella Tavola - Cooking Classes
      • KCIC Library
      • La Nostra Famiglia Italiana >
        • Order First Family Books!
        • CASORSO DOCUMENTARY
        • Upcoming NFI Events
        • Il Nostro Lascito Legacy Project
        • Past NFI Events >
          • NFI - ROOTS TO RESILIENCE
          • NFI - Follow That Bell!
          • NFI - Spaghetti
          • NFI - Bisnonno
          • NFI - L'Acqua
          • NFI - Terrazzo
          • NFI - Guerra
          • NFI - Lilia
          • Coming to Pier 21
          • Dalla Terra
          • Dialetti!
          • Sveva Caetani
          • Emilio Picariello
          • Between Neighbours
      • Ladies Night Out
      • Vendemmia Highlights 2024
      • Family Games Night
      • Ferragosto Family Picnic
      • Festa Della Repubblica
    • Our 55th Birthday!
  • More From Us
    • CONTACT US
    • Clubhouse Rentals
    • 50th ANNIVERSARY >
      • 50th Anniversary
      • Mercato
      • Dinner & Dance Gala
    • Miss Kelowna Cdn. Italian Club
    • Calendar Page
  • Take Out Dinners
  • Family Games Night