Elmo Rantucci and Emma Turri

Elmo Gino Rantucci was born in Kelowna, B. C., on August 11, 1935 to Carmine Loredo Rantucci and Ida Clementina Ciancone.  He attended Glen Avenue, Dehart and Central Elementary Schools before heading over to Kelowna High School.  Elmo was kept out of mischief by working on their family acreage at the base of Knox Mountain in Kelowna’s north end. He was known to join the other local boys to “run the booms” in Okanagan Lake.  The wide, open areas of Kelowna’s north end gave Elmo a place to enjoy fishing and horseback riding.  After graduation he attended Victoria Normal School for one year of teacher training.  After that, he returned to Kelowna to work for Orchard City Press where he earned his journeyman lithographer papers.  His next job was with The Hudson Bay and while there he took the Real Estate and Appraisal Course.  When completed, this gave him the credentials to join The City Of Kelowna in the Tax and Assessment office.  Shortly after, Elmo made his final move to The B.C. Assessment Authority as a property appraiser, where he retired at age 60.  
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Emma Isolina Turri was born on December 22, 1938, in the beautiful town of Pontecosi, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy to Pietro Guglielmo Turri and Esterina Assunta Gragnani.  With her family she arrived in Kelowna in 1952 and Emma began attending school.  They moved to Summerland where she completed her schooling. Following that she attended Herbert Business College in Kelowna specializing in Accounting.  Then she worked at Calona Wines, Barr and Anderson Plumbing and Heating and Jabs Construction.  In 1973, she completed more courses and reached her dream of becoming a licensed Real Estate Agent.  During this time, she was instrumental for the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club (after searching for years) to finally acquire their place to call home (and still is!).

Elmo and Emma met picking peaches at Casa Loma Orchards on the west side, along the Lake.  They were married on June 11, 1961.  They have 3 boys: Robert (Tanis), Peter (Andrea) and Chris (Patricia).  They are loving grandparents to three grandsons:  Jonathon, Justin and Gabriel.

Elmo held various positions with both the Knights of Columbus and the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club.  He has maintained an avid interest in the old-time Italian families and Kelowna’s early history.  Emma volunteered for the MS Carnation Drives, as a Director for Sunnyvale School, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and for many years as a Trustee for Glenmore/Ellison Irrigation  District.  Emma and Elmo acquired acreage on Sexsmith and Reynolds Roads, where for a number of years, they operated a mixed farm and enjoyed many activities with family and friends.  They also built a home on their acreage on Mission Creek in the Greystokes area which they enjoyed (as a home away from home) specially in the summer with family and friends fishing and sitting by the bonfire, roasting hot dogs, marshmallows and singing old Italian songs.  In 2015 they sold the summer home.  In 2016, they sold the Sexsmith property to their son, Robert.  The Glenmore area has been their home for fifty years and continues to be since the move to their retirement home at Sandpoint.

Contributed by Emma and Elmo Rantucci