Luigi Bazzana and Regina Tomasini

Regina and Luigi Bazzana

Luigi (Gigi) was born on June 22, 1924. He was the second oldest in a family of 2 boys and 2 girls - Lucia, Luigi, Teresa and Arturo. His father passed away when Gigi was just 5 years old. Regina (Gina) was born on March 9,1926. She was the third oldest in a family of 5 boys and 3 girls - Giovanni, Angelo, Teresa, Regina, Umberto, Gemma, Celeste and Pietro. Both were born in in their parent's farmhouses in San Giovanni di Casarsa, Udine.

Growing up in the same town, attending the same school and church, they "noticed" each other in their mid teens. World War II made things difficult, especially in northern Italy and there were few opportunities, so Gigi went to work in the coal mines in Belgium for a year. 

Luigi and Regina were engaged in 1948, and married on October 22, 1949. During this year, they also applied to emigrate to Canada, where Gigi had some relatives. Three weeks after the wedding he left for Canada, first by ship to Halifax, Nova Scotia and then by train across to Kelowna, BC, where his uncles, Gino Bazzana and Matteo Culos, lived. Gina had to wait in Italy until her papers came through and Gigi's proven ability to have a job and to sponsor her. It took 18 months. Since there were no job prospects in Kelowna at the time, Gigi went to Kwinista, BC, on the Skeena River, near Prince Rupert, where he worked for CN Rail as a lineman. This is where Gina rejoined her husband. Some brothers from both sides of the family came to join them. They learned English by correspondence. 

By the fall of 1952, Gina was so ill with her first pregnancy, they transferred to Prince Rupert, where they lived for several years - Luigi working for CN and Gina in the fish plants. Their first daughter, Nives, was born there. 1956 was the big move to Kelowna, the land of sunshine, fruit, grapes and warmth. Gigi helped build the plywood plant, sawing logs by hand, with Alfredo Calissi. He also worked inside as a clipper operator, cutting sheets of plywood. Gina went to work in the canneries, then to Henderson Cleaners, as a seamstress. In 1969, Gina went to work for CPR, as a janitor and housekeeper at the station and bunkhouse, conveniently located across the street from their home on Clement. 

The couple had two more children, Mary and Jerry. Luigi retired in 1987 and Gina in 1991. They spent their time in the garden. Their gardens were a showplace of flowers, fruit and vegetables. Luigi produced award winning wines and Gina was always busy cooking, sewing and crocheting. They were were very proud of the Alpini and the Italian Clubs. They enjoyed singing the songs of their youth. Both had good voices.

Regina passed away in 2013 and Luigi in 2015. They are missed by their three children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nives and husband, Jim, live in Langley, BC. Mary lives in Kelowna. Jerry and wife, Ruth, live in Kelowna. Pride in their Italian heritage continues.

Contributed by Nives Bazzana Cornock, daughter.