Victor Ghini, Gloria Ciancone and Pearl Dolman (GAlley)

Victor and Gloria 1946 wedding party

Victor Henry Ghini was born on February 12, 1919, in Richmond, BC. He had two sisters: Maria Ellen (Luigi Bevilacqua) and Anita Anna (Henry Bo Dickman) and five brothers: Hector (Sophia Clemons), Joseph Angelo, Julius Umberto (Myrtle Erma), Benvenuto Angelo (Rosalie Pictigen) and Enrico Donald (Florence McCooye). Their parents were Dominic Andrea Ghini and Ida Fontanini from Fontanaluccia, Frassinoro, Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. 

Gloria Giorgette Ciancone was born on August 26, 1927, in Kelowna, BC. She had one brother, Mario (Berbie Reiswig), and one sister Vilma (Lou Guidi). Their parents were Alessio (Alex) Ciancone, from San Patito, Caserta, Campania, Italy, and Laura Guidi from Garfagnana, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy.
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Gloria was very involved with the Italian Community in Kelowna, singing and dancing her way in concerts and folkfests. She preformed many solos at weddings and anniversary celebrations. Gloria became a professional opera singer, preforming at the Cave Supper Club and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC. Her most notable performance was at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.

Victor started his career as a carpenter, but soon switched to the concrete business. He worked for the Venetian Terrazzo and Mosaic Company in Los Angeles. They were responsible for the installation of many terrazzo floors in the Los Angeles area, including Disneyland.

Later, Victor, with his brother, Angelo, formed Ghini Brothers Terrazzo in Vancouver. In the 1960s, they installed many of Kelowna’s terrazzo floors, including Shops Capri (Capri Mall), Knox (Glenmore) Medical Clinic, Simpson-Sears (Shoppers Drug Mart) on Bernard and the Immaculata Conception and St Pius X Churches.

Victor met Gloria while picking fruit in Summerland, BC. They were married on July 11, 1946, in Kelowna. They had one child, Gerry (Alice Christoffersen).  Sadly, Gloria passed away on March 8, 1964.  She is laid to rest in the Ocean View Cemetery, Burnaby, BC.

Victor married a second time, to Patricia Pearl Dolman (Galley). Pearl could knit the coziest blankets, cook the best dinners and bake the freshest pies. She always loved to spend time with her grandchildren, always having a story to tell and knowing how to make them smile. After his retirement in 1974, Victor moved to Kelowna. He continued some floor installations, helping many members of the Italian community, placing terrazzo in their homes. Both Victor and Pearl were active members of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, each holding board positions.

Victor passed away on December 11, 2011 at the age of 92. Pearl passed away on November 4, 2013, at age 75. She is survived by her children, Gina and Tim (Gena), from a previous marriage. Both Victor and Pearl are laid to rest at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery.

Contributed by D E Rampone, Co-Chair, Kelowna Canadian Italian Club’s Heritage Committee.