Gina Alimonti and Max Yarrow

Gina Antonia Alimonti was born on June 13, 1938, when her family was living on their Benvoulin Road farm in Kelowna, BC.  She started grade one at Mission Creek School before moving on to Ellison School, where she spent the next six years.  Grades seven to twelve were taken at Rutland Junior - Senior School, where she graduated in 1956.  After graduation, she visited the local employment office and landed a job with the advertising department of  BC Tree Fruits.

After her marriage to Bob Jensen, they moved to North Vancouver, BC, and Prince Rupert, BC.  With her father’s (Joseph’s) passing in 1963, she moved back to Kelowna. Gina’s mother, Rosa, was able to look after her two boys, which allowed Gina to work for “Uncle Pasq” (Pasquale Barrera), harvesting vegetables.

Max James Yarrow was born on February 14, 1921 in Andrew, Alberta.  In 1940, he joined the airforce and spent 1942-1945 in England, as an aeronautics mechanic.  Max had always loved building things. After his war service years, he returned to Andrew, Alberta, and began a career in construction.  In 1965, Max was travelling from Edmonton with friends. They were visiting neighbours, next door to Rosa and Gina’s home.  One day, Max took up conversation with Gina over the fence. That eventually led to their marriage. 
 
In 1967, Gina and Max headed north, for two years, with the construction of the Peace River Dam.  By 1969, they were back in Kelowna, where Max helped with the construction of the Kiwanis Tower, the Bank of Nova Scotia, the KGH Rehab unit and the Kelowna water treatment plant.

Max and Gina have three boys: Michael, Clark and Wayne.  As their boys grew older, Max and Gina spent much time with their camper and car top boat, exploring most of British Columbia’s fishing lakes.  When not fishing, Gina and Max enjoyed their walking journeys.  Max was an avid library user and reader.  History and political stories were his passion throughout his life until his passing in 2008.
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Michael (Karen Gerlitz) lives in Calgary. He owns Sports Experts franchises in Calgary, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Hinton. Clark (Lori Jakins) is the City of Kelowna Gravel Operations supervisor.  Wayne (Tara Burstyk) lives in Squamish, BC where he works in the Travel and Accommodation Industry.  They have one child, Kate.

D. E. Rampone, Kelowna Canadian Italian Club