Louis Casorso and Caterina Dapavo

Caterina and Louis Casorso

Louis John Casorso was born September 25, 1886, at the newly established Casorso Ranch (1884), at Okanagan Mission, British Columbia. He was the fifth child of Rosa Bevilacqua and Giovanni Casorso.

At a young age, Louis learned English, along with his parents and siblings. Louis helped his parents and siblings on the farm, where the Casorso family grew vegetables, onions, tobacco, wheat and raised cattle, sheep and hogs. Eventually they planted orchards and grew grapes.

Caterina Dapavo was born November 23rd in Frinco, Asti, Piemonte, Italy. She was the daughter of Enrichetta Rampone and Germano Dapavo from Frinco. Caterina emigrated to Kelowna, BC, in 1904, along with her relatives, Antonio Risso and Domenico Rampone. Caterina's sister, Rosa, had preceded her in 1901, sister Maria arrived in 1905, followed by brother Davide (Dino) in 1927. Two brothers, Giovanni and Eugenio remained in Italy.

In August 1908, Louis Casorso married Caterina Dapavo. Louis and Caterina had four children: Mary (1909), John (1911), Elizabeth (1913, died 1915) and August (1917).

Louis, along with his father and brothers, began Casorso Brothers Limited in 1911, eventually establishing meat markets in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Kamloops, BC. He was placed in charge of custom buying cattle and hogs for their four markets. Louis continued in this capacity until 1940, when he decided to farm full time. For many years, he share-cropped onion growing with the  Naka family.

Caterina worked at local packinghouses for many years. She was known as a quiet, kind, humble, hard working woman. Her family always held a special place in her life. Caterina attended Immaculate Conception Parish all of her life.

For most of his adult life, Louis, and later his children, lived in the third Casorso home built in 1907. After serving in World War II, his son, August, and his English war bride, Muriel, joined him in this home. Then, along came seven children who loved living with their Grandpa.

August worked with his father raising hogs, running the orchards and growing onions and vegetables. Louis was always welcoming to his daughter, Mary (Dick Bertoia), their six children, and son, John (Edith), and their daughter. Summers and holidays were always filled with family and visitors. He took great pride in his family and the Casorso farm. Louis, a very careful driver, could always be seen around  Kelowna with a carload of grandchildren. He was a faithful Catholic and member of the Immaculate Conception Parish all of his life.

Caterina Casorso died January 25, 1950, in Kelowna, at the age of 62. She is buried at the Kelowna City Cemetery.

Louis John Casorso died August 2, 1969, in Kelowna, at the age of 82. He is buried at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery on Casorso Road.

Contributed by Christine Casorso Schmidt, grand daughter.