Lawrence Favali and Helen Seminoff

6/12/2023

Lorenzo (Lawrence) Azelio Favali was the fourth child to Palmizio and Luigia. He was born November 26, 1932 in Kelowna, BC, where he lived his entire life. He attended elementary school but we do not know for how long. He worked at Sun-Rype and Calona Winery for many years. He was also a bouncer at the Royal Anne Hotel and Angie’s Pub.

He met Helen Seminoff and they married on September 4, 1957 in Kelowna. They lived at 802 Walrod Avenue where they raised three children: Roy (1958), Christina (1960), and Barbara (1964).

Helen worked at the Kelowna Packing House and also picked fruit at Mike Favali’s orchard in the Lakeview Heights area. Lawrence is best remembered for selling vegetables and Christmas trees at the fruit stand on Gordon Drive. He had a great sense of humour and played jokes on anyone in his vicinity. Helen was a hard worker and following the Favali tradition, no one left the Favali home empty handed. Helen was a wonderful baker and had a heart of gold.

Helen passed away in Kelowna on July 9, 1999 and Lawrence passed away in Vernon, BC, on January 27, 2004.

Contributed by Roy Favali, son

2 Comments

Heather Favali

6/12/2023 11:27:46 am

This is a wonderful article on my Aunt and Uncle. Thank you Roay for contributing, and thank you KCIC for researching and sharing the history of the Italians that made Kelowna their home and contributed so much to the community!

Teresa Ganna

6/12/2023 03:47:04 pm

This was so nice to see and read. I remember many fun times spent with Uncle Lawrence and Auntie Hellen and family in Kelowna. Thanks Roy for submitting this.

Le prime famiglie italiane di Kelowna