Luigi Pagliaro and Elda Mele

Elda and Louis Pagliaro

Luigi Pagliaro (Lou/Louis) was born in 1945 in Cleto, Cosenza, Italy, to Giuseppe Pagliaro and Carmela Russo. Growing up, Luigi had three sisters: Annuzza, Ada and Bianca. During his childhood, Luigi bore significant responsibilities at home, alongside his mother, while his father worked away from home in Africa, Sicily, and eventually Canada.

In 1958, Luigi, along with his mother and youngest sister, Bianca, embarked on a passenger ship journey to Canada. They arrived in Halifax and traveled across the country by train, settling and reuniting with their father in Revelstoke, B.C. 

Following his education, Luigi began working in construction with the Trans-Canada Highway department. Later, he transitioned into auto body repair. Luigi eventually formed a partnership,  Phil & Louis Auto-body.   His dedication was particularly evident in the challenging conditions of working in the Rogers Pass. Luigi was an active member of the Knights of Columbus in Revelstoke and also contributed his services as a volunteer auxiliary with the RCMP. 

Elda Mele was a Christmas baby, born in 1949 in Serra Pedace, Cosenza, Italy, to Leonardo Mele and Marietta Oliverio. She was the youngest of five children in the family: Rafelina, Antonio (Tony), Ivanna and Olinda. In 1961, Elda traveled by passenger ship, with her mother and sisters, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. From there, the family traveled by train to Revelstoke B.C., to be reunited with their father and brother, Antonio.  Elda obtained her hairdressing license at the age of 18. Living in such a tight knit Italian community, the Pagliaro and Mele families became very close friends. It didn't take long before the handsome Luigi became enamoured with the beautiful Elda, and they were married in 1967. 

Luigi and Elda moved with their two young children, Joseph (Denise Kurio) and Melina (Shawn Lytton)  to Kelowna, BC in 1975. Their third child, Jennifer, was born in Kelowna. All three children were enveloped by the love and care, of not only their parents, but also their paternal grandparents and a large extended family. 

In 1978, Luigi and his cousin, Eugene Filice, acquired Kelowna Auto Body, which became a thriving business for 27 years. After a brief retirement, Luigi felt a strong calling to return to meaningful work, which led him to Anthony's Subaru, where he worked for his longtime friend, Tony Lunelli. While raising her family, Elda had a successful career as a hairstylist for over 40 years. She dedicated many of those years to Hennie's Hair Studio and also ran her own salon, Elda's Hair by Design. 

Luigi and Elda had a very busy and welcoming household to friends and family. Both Luigi and Elda found great enjoyment in gardening, playing bocce, bowling, foraging for wild mushrooms, and traveling. Luigi and Elda have been blessed with seven grandchildren: Liam, Hannah, Kai, Ava, Maia, Macy, and Makayla.  The Pagliaro family actively participated in numerous activities and events in Kelowna, often engaging with the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club community. From cultural gatherings to recreational outings, they cherished the moments spent together, fostering strong bonds and lasting memories.

Luigi passed away in October 2023, after a battle with pancreatic cancer and is interred at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Contributed by Melina Pagliaro Lytton, daughter.