Carlo Dal Col and Isabella Guidi

Carlo (Charlie) Emilio Dal Col, the son of Fortunato and Giuseppina Santamaria, was born on July 27, 1912, in Narvasa Della Battaglia, Treviso, Italy. That same year, Fortunato left Italy for Kelowna BC, leaving his wife and infant son in Italy. In 1920, Charlie and Giuseppina landed at Ellis Island and made their way to Niagara Falls, across Canada to Kelowna, BC.
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They joined Fortunato at their new home and farm at Roanoke Avenue and Richter Street. Sisters Rina, Mary and Albina and brother, Leno, were all born in Kelowna.

Entering grade three at Kelowna Elementary School, Charlie became frustrated because of his difficulty with English, so he decided to leave school to work on the farm. He saved his money and bought a car. Learning how to repair it, he realized the natural skills he had. 

In 1933, Charlie started constructing a home for himself and his bride-to-be, Isabella Guidi, daughter of Pietro Guidi and Umile Coli. Isabella was born on October 21, 1912. In 1926, along with her mother and three brothers, Isabella travelled from Tuscany to Kelowna, to join Isabella’s father. Charlie and Isabella were married in 1935. In 1938, they welcomed their only child Adriana (Audrey). Their home in Glenmore, was a peaceful and happy one.

Between 1933 and 1940, Charlie worked for Josi Rossi, doing plastering, stucco, and concrete placement. Then, in 1940, the opportunity came for a job with SM Simpson Inc. Stanley Simpson needed a strong employee to work alongside him; this led to 30 years of employment as a millwright (industrial mechanic). Charlie continued to construct houses in his spare time. He constructed a home for his mother on the land he inherited, and later on, one for his family. 

All of Charlie's siblings completed grade twelve and went on to various types of employment. Charlie was an advocate for education and encouraged his younger brother, Leno, to attend Vancouver Technical School to become a draftsman. 

Prior to retirement, it was Charlie’s dream to have a hobby apple orchard. In 1954, he and Isabella purchased ten acres in Glenmore and later purchased another ten acres next door. He retired in 1969 at age 57, to care for the orchard, which he did until 1993. Charlie’s passion was his vegetable and fruit tree garden.  As a young man he hunted deer, moose, and pheasants.  He loved the outdoors, fishing and exploring the mountains. His extended family of six grandchildren and later, eleven great-grandchildren, were his pride and joy. In 1999, Isabella succumbed to cancer. He was lost. To be closer to his family, he moved to Vancouver. In 2004, his life ended. His ashes were interred at Kelowna cemetery. He returned to his roots in Kelowna, to the love of his life. 

Adriana O’Malley, daughter