Charles Betuzzi and and Merrie Mulhern

Merrie and Charles Betuzzi

My Grandfather, Luigi Betuzzi, was born on April 15, 1874 in Romanoro, Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. My Grandmother, Rosalia Guasparini, was born in Camporgiano, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy on December 18, 1876. They were married in 1906. Shortly afterwards they moved to Scotland, where their first child, John, was born in 1907. Later, they moved back to Italy and three more children were born: Mary, Judita (Jenny) and Pia (Polly). 

Luigi was sponsored by the Biagioni family and emigrated to Summerland, B.C. in 1914. Luigi got established in Summerland, before bringing Rosalia to Canada. Luigi worked for a friend doing masonry work. He also built a house on Happy Valley Road which is still standing. Rosalia came to Canada in 1919, first arriving at Ellis Island, in New York City, and then travelling by train to Canada and west to British Columbia. In Summerland, two more children were born. My father, Charles William Betuzzi, was born on Feb. 7, 1921. My aunt, Anna, was born in 1923. 

Charles Betuzzi was a pilot flying instructor during the Second World War. After the war, my father married my mother, Merrie Mulhern. Their wedding took place in Summerland, B.C. on September 27, 1947. 

As a war veteran, in 1950, Dad was able to purchase 12 acres of farmland in Lakeview Heights, which is now a part of West Kelowna. Dad and Mom, and their growing family, moved to Lakeview Heights in December of 1955. Dad’s property was on Douglas Road. He farmed the 12 acres until 1971, when he sold 11 of the 12 acres. During this time, Mom and Dad raised a large family of 11 children. They stayed on the property until 2010, when they moved into Westwood seniors home in Westbank. 

The former Betuzzi Farm acreage, is now the location of Mount Boucherie Winery.

Grandfather, Luigi, passed away in 1941 and Grandmother, Rosalia, passed away in 1937. Charles Betuzzi passed away in 2013 and Merrie Betuzzi passed away in 2015. 

Contributed by Mark Betuzzi, son of Charles and Merrie.