Mario and Luisa Manderioli

Luisa and Mario Manderioli

In 1959, Mario Manderioli visited Canada as a tourist and it was then that his dream of having a “casetta in Canada” began to form. At that time, Mario and Luisa Manderioli, and their sons Flavio and Marzio, were living in San Rafael, Argentina. In 1962, the Manderiolis decided to return to Italy, to their hometown of Cento, Ferrara.

In 1965, Mario applied to emigrate to Canada and was accepted. Mario worked at his cousin’s farm at Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. The rest of the family followed in 1966. The Manderiolis traversed the country by train with the goal of settling in Penticton. However, Mario found work as a field man at the Kelowna Growers Exchange (KGE) and the family settled in Kelowna. Mario worked at the KGE until 1986 and then was a consultant with Calona Wines for 3 years. Mario retired from work at age 77.

Mario was a horticulturist with extensive experience managing vineyards and orchards in Kenya, Argentina and Italy. He taught many farmers in the Okanagan how to prune and take care of their orchards. Mario was also passionate about cooking, gardening, wine-making, bocce and cross-country skiing. 

Luisa Manderioli was a home-maker but she also worked part time as an Avon lady. She was loved by her clients. Luisa was a wonderful cook, excelling at making bread and cakes, veal cutlets alla Milanese, rabbit stew and lasagne verdi. All who knew her appreciated her generosity, sharp sense of humour and zest for life.

Mario and Luisa were citizens of the world. Mario lived in Ethiopia and Kenya, and Luisa spent her entire childhood on Rhodes Island, Greece. They lived in Italy, Argentina and Canada, and also visited Hawaii, parts of Central America, South America and the Middle East. 

Without question the highlight of the year for the Manderioli family, was the tortellini luncheon held each Christmas day. Mario and Luisa loved to make tortellini from scratch, following carefully the homemade recipe of their grandparents.

Mario and Luisa Manderioli were very involved with the Canadian Italian community. Mario volunteered with the Italian Consulate and Luisa gave Italian lessons to adults and children. Mario and Luisa were avid dancers. Mario and Luisa participated in “Folk Fest” every Canada Day. In 1979 Luisa and Mario helped represent BC at the Multicultural Heritage Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

Flavio Manderioli married Nereyda Guerrero and the couple resides in Colombia with their daughter Sofia. 

Marzio Manderioli married Anita Dumont and they live in Kelowna. Their son Jordan, lives in Toronto.
Luisa died in 2010 at age 87. Mario passed in 2011, only a couple months from turning 100. Both are interred in the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Contributed by Flavio and Marzio Manderioli, sons.