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Le prime famiglie italiane di Kelowna 

The first Italian families of Kelowna

Clelia Lunatici and Sergio Bertolami

6/25/2021

5 Comments

 
Picture
Clelia and Sergio Bertolami
​My name is Clelia (Elia) Bertolami.  I was born June 22, 1926 in Pontecosi, Lucca, Toscani, Italy.  My father was not in favour of the fascist regime, so he immigrated to England, where Mom and I joined him when I was eight years old.

When Italy declared war on Britain, my father was one of the hundreds of Italian men rounded up and deported to a concentration camp on the Isle of Man. Alone and scared, mother and I stayed in our house in London with only candles for light, hiding behind blackened windows and surviving on rationed food.  We were terrorized, so my mother decided to apply to the Italian Embassy for help. We embarked on a treacherous three week journey back to our homeland, where we were taken in by my grandparents (Olinto and Isolina Turri). We lived with them until the end of the war.

In the early fifties, the political situation in Italy was unstable.  So, my husband, Sergio, young son, Attilo (Ilio), my mother, Rosa (Turri) and I made plans to immigrate to Canada.  In 1957, we came straight to Kelowna, BC, where I had two uncles; Sam and Pietro Turri, an aunt, Clelia Martinelli, and several cousins.

As I was a trained teacher, I got a job as a primary teacher and taught in the Kelowna area for 28 years.  My husband, Sergio, worked for the Provincial Government in Kelowna as a soil lab technician until he passed away in 1987.

In 1962, our daughter, Angela, was born and we were happily settled in Canada.  I am now 94 years old.  My children visit me and take good care of me.  I’m now living at Chartwell Retirement Residence, where I am well looked after.

Clelia Lunatici Bertolami
5 Comments
Darrell Scriver. (GUIDI)
6/25/2021 10:06:26 am

My Noni, Pietro Guidi was born in the same tear as you in the same place... beautiful coincidence.... Emma Rantucci is a cousin to my mother Sarah Guidi. We are going to Lucca next year to see my Nono and Nona's birth places and where they grew up.

Reply
Brendy Pyne
9/17/2021 07:51:55 pm

Wow! This is an amazing story! I am a granddaughter of Samuele Turri. Katie (Enrichetta) Turri Mass was my Mom. I remember Rosa, your Mom, when we would visit Caesar and family.

Reply
Mona Brash
12/8/2021 11:33:42 am

Hello my grade one teacher from 1960. You prepared me well for the world. I went on to teach at the post-secondary level. I still have my scrapbook from grade one, a treasure.

Do you remember what the address was of the Gordon Street School? My daughter lives in Kelowna and I think she is close to where I lived and went to school.

What a treat to read your story.
All the best,
Mona

Reply
Sergio
1/20/2022 01:52:52 pm

Vivo in Sicilia... mi chiamo Sergio Bertolami ... mio padre si chiamava Attilio ed era nato in un piccolo ed antico borgo montano, Novara di Sicilia.

Reply
Maggie Sarkany
9/20/2022 06:09:10 pm

Mrs Bertolami I adored you as my grade 1 teacher and you knew it. I was so blessed to have known you as a child and to be able to reconnect with you as an adult. I will never forget staying with you and you making us pasta for dinner. Loads of love to you

Reply



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    Research and photos of First Families by Don Rampone

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  • 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 >
      • Bocce
      • Ferragosto Family Picnic
      • Giuseppe's Cafe
      • Trattoria Dinners
      • 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
      • 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