Luciano (Lou) Zol was born in the small village of Orcenico Superiore, Pordenone, Udine, Italy on May 28, 1938, to parents Rafaele Zol and Maria Pasutti. After the tragic loss of both his parents, at the young age of thirteen, Lou bravely got on a ship and immigrated to Canada settling in Genelle, B.C., living with his aunt and uncle, Gigi Zol. He grew up to be a strong young man and a few years later moved to Cranbrook to work for a local sawmill. Boarding with the Pagurut family, he instantly became their surrogate son. This bond continued throughout his life. In 1963, Lou changed his career and moved to Kelowna to become a barber.
Maria Luciana Andreucci was born in Antisciana, Lucca, Tuscany, on February 11, 1947 to Angelo Andreucci and Anna Maria Biagioni. Maria and her family arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1956 and made their journey by train to the Kootenays in BC. From there, they boarded the Kettle Valley Railway and made they way to meet her uncle in Penticton. Her family became orchardists in Summerland. Maria met Lou at a chance meeting in Long’s Drug Store Coffee Shop, at the Capri Mall. His handsome looks, mischievous grin, and good-natured demeanour quickly won her attention. They were married in Summerland on July 31, 1965 and this union lasted for 56 years. After attending barber school in Vancouver, Lou built a successful 54-year career in barbering. He crossed paths with many people over the years and cherished these friendships. He had a way of making insignificant moments meaningful and he refused to cut a style of hair he didn’t like. If you wanted to know what was happening in Kelowna, Lou certainly knew! Maria became a hairstylist, operating a small studio in the Mediterranean Market building. Later, she opened a shop next to Lou’s barber shop on Sutherland Avenue. Lou was very proud of his Italian heritage. In 1966, he was one of the twenty-one founders of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, where he spent many nights dancing alongside his wife, Maria. Lou’s passions in life were playing soccer, attending to his massive garden, watching junior hockey in Kelowna, and spending many years playing golf. His greatest joys were being together with his wife and having as many family and friends for visits around the dinner table. It was never a quiet time! Maria, and Lou have three children: Dino (Karen), Angela (Mike Lavediere), and Diano (Connie), as well as nine grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Luciano Zol passed away on November 4th, 2021, in Kelowna, after a brief battle with cancer. Dino, Angela and Diano Zol
0 Comments
Renato Fortunato Giovanni Vaccaro was born on April 17, 1927 in Crespano del Grappa, a village of Piece del Grappa, Trevisio, Veneto, Italy. His parents were Joshua Vaccaro and Maria Ceccato. Renato had one sister, Vittoria (Mario Zambon). After World War II, North America, especially western Canada was the beacon for many Italian families. In 1949, Renato was invited by his uncle, Sylvio Vaccaro, to join him in his shoe repair shop in Kelowna, BC.
Renata Turri was born on March 17, 1933 in Pontecosi, Garfagnana, Lucca, Toscana, Italy, to parents Pietro Turri and Esterina Gragnani. She has one sister, Emma (Elmo) Rantucci. In 1952, The Turri family ventured to Summerland, BC, joining family friends, the Bonaldi and Bravos. They moved to Kelowna to be nearer Pietro’s brother, Samuele Turri, and his family Renato and Renata met in Summerland at English speaking classes. They were married, in Summerland, on January 15, 1955. Renato and Renata had one son, John, who married Cheryl Wilson. Renato and Renata lived in a suite at Caesar Turri’s home until 1959, when they built a house towards Knox Mountain on Richter Street. The neighbourhood had a high density of fellow Italians: Guidi, Bertucci, Turri, Marcanio, Rantucci, Ciancone, Loretto, Menta, Bazzana, Martinelli and Truant. Renato learned the shoe repair trade from his Uncle Sylvio, eventually purchasing the shop from him. Renata worked shifts for the fruit packing houses in the North end of Kelowna and was a busy caretaker of the house and John. Renata loved to bake and share social times with her friends in the community. Renato enjoyed the camaraderie when playing bocce, hunting, making wine, sausages and salamis. They were both part of the development of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, an important meeting / social place of the local Italian community. The club also ensured that Italians, as a whole, could be stronger and more influential in Kelowna’s growth. Renata passed away, suddenly, in August, 2005. Renato, passed away of natural causes, at Kelowna General Hospital on December 23, 2008. They were both interred at Kelowna Cemetery, resting together, a rest they deserved after a lifetime helping strangers and of loving and sharing with family and friends. John Vaccaro, son Celeste Tomasini was born on December 8, 1931 in San Giovanni di Casarsa, Udine, Friuili-Venizia to parents, Giovanni and Maria. He was brother to Giovanni, Angelo, Teresa, Regina, Umberto, Gemma and Pietro. Gianna Trevisan was born on August 27, 1935 in Prodenone, Udine, Friuli-Venizia to parents, Giuseppe Trevisan and Carolina Pazutto. She is sister to Giovanni, Maria, Giuseppe, Lydia, Aldo, Adelchi, Ada and Rosanna. They have two daughters: Loretta (Don Sumanik) and Liana (Fred Hunsche).
Since there was little opportunity in Italy, Celeste immigrated to Canada in 1954 and Gianna in 1956. They followed on the foot steps of Celeste’s brother, Angelo, sister Regina and brother-in-law Luigi (Louie) Bazzana. Celeste arrived by passenger ship at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he boarded a train, across Canada, to Prince Rupert, BC. His family had arranged a job for him with the Canadian National Railway. Celeste and Luigi Bazzana took advantage of free train fare to go to Kelowna, BC, where they visited Louie’s uncle, Gino Bazzana. Gino worked at the Kelowna Sawmill where there were jobs available. Celeste and Luigi fell in love with Kelowna and they soon made plans to move there. In 1956, Gianna and Loretta arrived in Kamloops, BC, where the family met them and took them to Kelowna. Celeste had apprenticed in Italy as a carpenter and a bricklayer. He worked for two years on the railroad near Prince Rupert. In Kelowna he found work with Douillard Construction. He worked for them for over thirty years. Gianna worked in the cannery and packing houses, as well as picking grapes and other fruits and vegetables in harvest season. Soccer, fishing and building things were a big part of Celeste’s life. He was one of the twenty-one charter members of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club. Both Celeste and Gianna enjoyed taking part in the club and participating in its growth. Celeste passed away on October 19, 1992 and is interred at Kelowna Memorial Gardens. Loretta Tomasini Sumanik, daughter Biagio was born 1923 in Belovici, Italy (today Belavići, Croatia). His home region in Istria changed hands from Italy to Yugoslavia. Today Istria is under Croatia’s flag.
He was the only one of his 3 siblings: Josip, Ana and Ivan – to exile himself from his home in Pola (today Pula, Croatia). In order to remain Italian, he, along with many other local ethnic Italians, left his home during the Istrian–Dalmatian exodus post-World War II. The Paris Peace Treaty assigned eastern Istria to Yugoslavia. In June, 1957 he boarded the Italian passenger vessel “Vulcania,” making the journey from Napoli to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He travelled by train from Halifax to Kelowna, BC, registered as an agricultural worker. While in Pola, Biagio worked at the Uljanik shipyard as a “Carpentiere in legno” for close to ten years. In Kelowna, he worked for Luigi (Lou) Guidi, as a carpenter, until he retired. He was granted his Canadian citizenship in 1963. In 1969, Biagio met Sheila Potter, who lived in Kelowna with her son Glenn Potter. They married and had two children: Denise Tade and Brian Tade. He and Sheila would eventually get divorced in 1986. For many years, family and friends knew Biagio as “Ted”. This came to be because when he introduced himself he would start with his surname, first. “Tade” was misunderstood as Ted, and so the nickname stuck for some time. He met Anna in 1990, and moved to Summerland, BC, where he enjoyed the best years of his life. He had a life-long friendship with fellow Kelowna Canadian Italian Club founder, Alfredo Bonaldi, who also lived in Summerland. Biagio worked hard to provide for his family and had a knack for growing amazing gardens. A talented wine maker, he started with grapes and used traditional oak barrels. He was happiest fishing and camping at his favourite spot, just outside of Summerland. He lived his last years in the Fraser Valley and passed away in 2020 at the age of 97. Denise Tade, daughter Bruno Rinaldo was born on August 19, 1934 in San Zenone Degli Ezzelini, Treviso, Veneto, Italy. His father, Bortolo Rinaldo, was a construction worker, and his mother, Domenica Baschiera, was a home maker. Bruno was brother to Lidia, Severina, Antonio, Prescilla, Silvana, Maria Rosa and Bortolo. Bruno immigated to Canada in August of 1954, landing in Montreal, Quebec, before heading to Calgary, Alberta.
Franca Spagnol was born on July 21, 1940 in Zara, Dalmazia, Italy, now Zadar, Croatia. Her father, Francesco Spagnol, was a business man and her mother, Maria Ambrosi, was a homemaker. Franca was sister to Ines Medvedic and Tosca Spagnol. At age eleven, Franca arrived with her family in October, 1951, landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, before heading to Calgary. Franca worked for the Italian Consulate in Calgary. Bruno and Franca met in Calgary and were married in 1962. They have four children: Lidia (Earl Moodie), Anna (Blaire Franko), Davide (Helen Weiler) and Dino (Rosaura Echeverria). They spent three years in Calgary before making their way to Kelowna, BC. In Kelowna, Bruno worked as a bricklayer and Franca as a sales person. Bruno has left many works of stone and marble, including the Empress Hotel in Victoria. While in Qualicum Beach, BC, their love of gardening has resulted in winning several awards. In 1985 Franca and Bruno bought and ran a motel in Chermanus, BC. Although they are now retired, they both reside in Victoria, BC. Don Rampone, KCIC Heritage Committee Mario, the eldest of seven children, was born in 1927 in Zero Branco, Treviso, Italy. Maria, the fourth of six children, was born in 1932, also in Zero Branco, Treviso, Italy. Shortly after WWII, Mario began his professional career as a barber/stylist. He spent four years as an apprentice, in Treviso, Italy, and one year in Switzerland. In late 1954, the Canadian Consulate in Italy was looking for skilled barbers and other professionals to bring to Canada. As a result, the work for Mario’s Visa was fast tracked. He arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1955, travelling by train to Vancouver, BC, where the Government of Canada wanted him to work. He was asked to take the BC equivalency test for a barber but, at this point, Mario did not know how to read, speak, or write the English language, so he did a practical test showing his skill set. Mario was granted a “pink paper” that allowed for him to work under any licensed barber/stylist in BC. Mario traveled to Kitimat, BC, finding work as a waiter for Alcan Aluminum. This job was temporary as he soon met an Italian barber, who allowed him to work during shifts off from Alcan. This opened the door to a permanent stay. In 1956, Mario returned to Italy and married Maria in February, 1957. They made their way to New York and travelled the long journey back to Kitimat. One year later, Kelowna welcomed Mario and Maria and their two young girls. Two sons were born in Kelowna during the next few years. Mario started Mario’s Barbers, in the Capri Mall. He excelled in his trade but he also found other great barbers to surround himself. This led to lasting friendships and created a business that stood for decades, with clients attending from all over Canada. After selling to Luciano Zol, he retired. However, Mario returned to work with Mike Durante, a friend, lifelong barber and fellow Italian. Maria was a working housewife and mother. She was a seamstress to many in Kelowna, altering/making dresses, pants, shirts, curtains or any other fabric that could be mended. She also did all the daily laundry for Mario’s Barber Shop. Mario was a founding member and the first treasurer of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club. He also served as president in 1969 and 1970. He loved playing and being a member of the Italian Bocce Club, both locally and provincially. He loved playing soccer and watching boxing, football, hockey and keeping up with news events. As a barber, he found he had to be well informed in all sorts of topics. He was a very active gardener, who got up at dawn before going to open the barbershop, and returning to his garden after dinner. His grapes, and the making, drinking and sharing of his wine were also an enjoyable part of his life. Mario loved to go hunting and fishing with his boys, getting out with nature, leaving the ringing phones and busy city behind. This included going mushroom hunting with his dogs. He was a long time member and representative of the Kelowna & District Fish & Game Club. Mario was a good swimmer. He swam across Okanagan Lake many times. He loved music and dancing. He had a very good singing voice that not many people knew about, nor got to hear. Mario passed away on May 22, 1998. As per his request, he was set free along a trail and a creek he visited often while hunting, fishing, and taking the dogs out for their runs. Mario loved Kelowna and will always be free and close by. Maria Puppato and son, Walter Florindo Pucci was born in Cleto, Cosenza, Calabria in 1939. He is the eldest son of Antonio and Gilda Pucci and siblings to Armerinda Russo, Genoeffa Berardelli, Ida Pucci and Salvatore Pucci.
At the age of 21, Florindo arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at Pier 21 on July 30, 1961. He travelled by train directly to Kelowna, BC, where his oldest sister, Armerinda, was awaiting his arrival. In the years to follow, he worked hard and was so proud to sponsor his parents, both sisters and younger brother to immigrate and join him in Kelowna. Leaving his family behind for a better life was a difficult choice for him, but with patience and dedication, he was able to bring everyone together again. At the age of sixteen, he owned his own workshop in his hometown where he was a furniture builder. He made many pieces that are still being used today. Over the years, Flori enjoyed creating many things and always worked with his hands as a meticulous craftsman. Upon his arrival in Kelowna, he was employed at Russo Sawmill. He worked at Kelowna Millwork as a cabinet maker and then Revelstoke Builders in the woodshop. In 1981, he started Flori Pucci Carpentry and continued to build cabinets and furniture for many homes and businesses in the valley. Anna Filice was born in Aiello Calabro, Cosenza, Calabria in 1945. She is the eldest daughter of Rosario & Iolanda (Russo) Filice and siblings to Eugene Filice, Rosa Watkins, Mary Humble, Frank Filice and Albert Filice. In 1957, Iolanda, eleven year old Anna, and three younger siblings immigrated to Canada and landed at Pier 21 in Halifax. They travelled by train to Kelowna where Rosario was waiting for them. Anna began working at the age of fourteen at the White Heather Bakery and then Henderson Cleaners, where she met other Italians whom she remained friends with for many years. Florindo and Anna married in August, 1965 and welcomed three children: Jilda (Gordon) Hotchkiss, Carla (Dean) Temme and Danny (Denise) Pucci. They are blessed with six beautiful grandchildren (Alanna, Lauren, Samantha, Stephanie, Shaelyn and Jeremy). They purchased their first home on Lakeshore Road in 1966 and to this day, still call it home. In 1981, Anna, along with the support of her family, started her own catering company, Pucci’s Catering. Immediate and extended family worked together and catered many amazing Italian meals for weddings and celebrations. The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club has always been a big part of the Pucci family. Florindo is one of the Founding members of the Club. He proudly sang at the very first Folkfest Canada Day celebration in 1974, at the Jubilee Bowl and was part of the KCIC Men’s Choir, who performed at Expo 86. The Pucci family was part of the ensemble representing British Columbia at the Multicultural Heritage Festival in Halifax in 1979. As newcomers to Canada so many years ago, they will never forget the support and friendships they’ve found at the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club. Jill Pucci Hotchkiss, daughter Giovanni (John) Ferruccio Manzocco immigrated to Kelowna in 1951, at the calling of his uncle John Butt. He was born in 1926 in Sediliis, Udine, Italy. He apprenticed, for two years, at his uncle's shoe repair shop. He lived on Bertram Street for one year and then bought a home on Oxford Avenue.
In 1954, he went to work for CP Rail in Field, BC. There, John worked on maintaining the tunnel system of Kicking Horse Pass, in particular the famous spiral tunnels. He left the railway in the early 1960s, and returned to Italy. It was not to be a permanent stay, however, and by 1965 John had returned to the Okanagan and took a position at the Highland Bell Mine in Beaverdell. He remained working there until his retirement. John purchased a home on Pandosy Street when he retired. He never married and did not have any children. He was a kind man with a very gentle and giving nature. John was known as a very hard worker and a jack-of-all-trades. He was one of the founders of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club. John died in 1994 and is laid to rest at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery. Mary Anna Cimbaro, cousin Ralph was born in Pontecosi, Pieve Fosciana, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy on October 11, 1922. His parents were Amos and Maria Guidi. He had a younger brother, Costanso. Ralph came to Kelowna, BC, in the 1940s. He was a trained electrician and gained employment with the City of Kelowna, in the Electrical Department. He stayed with Uncle Angelo and Aunt Letizia, until he married Clara Guidi on October 28th, 1953. Their wedding took place at Immaculate Conception Church in Kelowna. Their attendants were Lucia (Guidi) Schorn (Clara's sister) and Marshall Desjardin (a close friend of Ralph’s).
Clara Santina Guidi was born in Pontecosi, Province di Lucca, Italy on November 2nd, 1909. She and her brother, Rudolph, remained in Italy until her parents, Angelo Guidi and Letizia Pellini, were able to establish a home in Kelowna. In February of 1920, she and brother Rudolph, arrived in Kelowna with their Aunt Ersilia Pellini (Letizia Guidi's sister). There they were to meet their younger sister, Lucia, who was born in Canada. Clara worked at the Banff Springs Hotel when she finished her schooling and later worked at the Willow Inn Hotel (in Kelowna) for many years. Ralph and Clara built their home at 1891 Carruthers Street, Kelowna. They did not have children but readily opened their home to their niece, Letitia Schorn, who lived with them from 1960 to 1964 while she attended Immaculata High School. They were great substitute parents. Ralph enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time while Clara was quite involved in the Catholic Church. They both enjoyed the outdoors. With Tony Bertucci, they bought a piece of property in the Joe Rich area, where they spent time improving the property and enjoying the rural life style, on weekends and holidays. They also enjoyed visiting with Clara's sister, Lucia, who lived in Bridesville, B.C. As an employee of the city's electrical department, Ralph often helped with the lighting at the annual Kelowna Regatta. He also worked on some of the new lighting that was put in at the Kelowna Airport. He was proud to be a part of that project. Ralph died on May 14th, 1971 at age 49. Clara died on March 28th, 1974. They are interred at the City of Kelowna cemetery. Tish Ecker, niece Florentino (Tino) Oderick Grison was born on January 28, 1936, in Krkavce, a small town in Slovenia, which was a part of Italy before World War I. The original spelling of his last name was Grizon but that was lost in translation when he immigrated to Canada at twenty years old. He had a very large family who had an olive farm outside of Trieste while the rest of the family operated hotels and restaurants on the ocean in town. A tourist in Trieste told Tino that Kelowna, B.C., in the beautiful Okanagan, had a four season playground. In 1956, he took a ship to Canada and a train ride to Kelowna.
Florentino started working in an orchard when he arrived, pruning trees and picking fruit. After a few years of farming, he found a job at the local saw mill. As he wanted to be his own boss he started his own company, Metro Plastering and Stucco, in 1969. Tino was a successful businessman and a great craftsman and worked for many years until he retired. In 1961, he met Elizabeth Ann Bazzett in Kelowna and they were married in 1962. They had four children: Roderick, Susan, Angela, and Jennifer. The couple ended up divorcing in 1980. A few years later he met Scottish born, Morag Sarah Adams, and married again. They are happily still together in Kelowna. Tino stuccoed the Kelowna Bocce club house and loved to play bocce, hunt, fish, and make his own home made wine. Although he has mild dementia, at age 87, he still lives in Kelowna and loves to sing Italian songs!! Rod Grison, son |