Bob Giordano and Edna Wilson

​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