Caesar Turri and Nita Guidi

Caesar Turri was born in Kelowna, BC, in 1924, the son of Samuele and Maria Turri.  Nita was born in Kelowna in 1927, the daughter of Emilio and Dolinda Guidi.  Both Caesar and Nita went through school and graduated from Kelowna Secondary School.  Upon graduation, Caesar worked for Collinson’s Motor Cycle Shop, before joining the Canadian Air Force, during World War II. Nita worked at a local cannery, before going to work at Fumerton’s, a prominent Kelowna department store.  

Caesar and Nita were married in 1949.  They had three children (Linda, Don and Audrey).  Caesar established his own backhoe business and then went to work for the City of Kelowna, eventually becoming Superintendent of Water and Sewer.  

Caesar was an active hunter and fisherman.  He was also active in the community, including more than thirty years as a volunteer fire fighter, president of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, and serving on the boards of the Kelowna Fish and Game Club and the Kelowna Catholic School Board.  Nita managed the household until all three children became adults.  At that point she returned to Fumerton’s and when it eventually closed, she went to work for James Haworth & Son Jewellers.  

Upon retirement, Nita and Caesar travelled several times to Italy and across Canada.  An annual vacation to Mabel Lake coincided with the salmon run.  They were very social people, spending a lot of time with family and friends.  They were active gardeners, members of St Pius X Parish and active with their grandchildren.  Nita passed away in 2017 and Caesar in 2021.
​
Contributed by The Turri Family