Our Italian Heritage (and Stories) continue

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​During Italian Heritage Month in June we paid tribute to thirty of the pioneer Italian families that were in Kelowna prior to 1919.  We welcome your comments, corrections and additions to these stories.  Our thanks to Shirley Larsen (Risso), Gertie Bachmann (Culos), Brenda Shaw (Pioli), Linda Ghezzi (Mussato), Becky Chapman (Orsi), Gina Yarrow (Alimonti) and Elmo and Emma (Turri) Rantucci for their help in gathering this information.  Special recognition to Bob Hayes (Okanagan Historical Society) for his inspiration and guidance.

Other families arriving here before 1919 include: Bertucci, Rossi, Dal Col, Biagioni, Ceresi, Cavani, Betuzzi and Pellini.  We have started collecting information on these families and welcome any help you can give us.  By the 1920’s many more families made their journeys to Canada.  We would love to have their stories recorded as well. ​