On October 31^st, 1885, Michele Valente and Gaetana (Morrone) Valente gave birth to Francesco Valente (later changed in Canada to Valenti). Francesco’s grandparents were Paolo Antonio Valente & Rosanna (Leonetti) Valente and Ippolito Morrone & Maria (Curcio) Morrone.

Francesco met and married Giulia Fucile in Pedace. With better prospects in Canada, they left Italy on the ship “Celtic”, arriving in North Bay in May of 1914, travelling with 2 Rota’s also from Pedace.

Francesco and Giulia were sponsored by Francesco’s brother, Pietro Valente, who was living in BC Canada. Despite the opportunities in BC, it was the Lucenti’s who recommended North Bay.

Francesco worked for CP Rail, while Giulia raised 5 boys and 3 girls.

• Jennie Tubaro (John)
• Amelia Lucenti (Carlo)
• Rita Longarini (Joe)
• Edward “Big Lou” (Cecile) – Valenti’s Rest.
• Alfred “Fred” (Jackie) – Valenti’s Rest
• Richard (Agnes) – CP Rail
• Louis J. (Shirley) – Lakeview Builders
• Ernest Valenti (Shirley) – Cab

When the Davedi Club was raising funds for their building, Members of the Italian community helped, including Francesco, who loaned $4,000, a sizeable amount in the 50’s.

Many of Francesco and Giulia’s kids were members of the Davedi at it’s beginning, including their son-in-law Carlo Lucenti, who was the 1^st president of the Davedi Club.