Directory

Ammerata and Orlando families Giuseppe Nazzareno "Neddy" and Maria Ammerata’s journey began in Aprigliano-Grupa, a village nestled in the hills outside Cosenza, Calabria. Born in 1927 and 1928 respectively, they were schoolmates before life led them on different...

We came to live in North Bay in January 2023. We bought our home in October 2022. Joseph has been fishing up here since 1973. He always came home from his fly-in trip to Temagami telling us of the fresh air and beautiful landscapes of the area. I had always spent my...

I was born in Spezzano Piccolo, Italy, a small village in the mountains in the region of Calabria on December 20, 1931. I am the third of nine children, but was the first one to immigrate to North Bay. Eventually, five of my siblings immigrated to North Bay as well;...

Butti Family Aurelio (Tony) Butti emigrated from Aquila, Abruzzi Italy to the USA in 1902 at the age of 18. He was joined by his brother Sabatino (Sam) Butti in 1905.Together they formed a close business relationship that lasted many years. In 1913 Tony, his wife...

Giovanni Caruso: A Journey of Strength and Sacrifice The ocean stretched endlessly before him, its deep blue waters reflecting the vast uncertainty of the future. Giovanni Caruso stood at the rail of the ship, his weathered hands gripping the cold metal as he gazed...

The Castrilli Family Italian OriginsLike many other Italian families, the Castrilli family immigrated to North Bay, Ontario, Canada in the mid to late 1950’s. They came from the region in central Italy known at the time as Abruzzi e Molise. Their small town of...

There is no place on earth like Italy. The people, the food, the passion. Like most places, the forties, the fifties were not pleasant. War, hunger, struggle, pain, sacrifice. I heard many negative things of that time period that made me understand the reason why my...

Cotrupi Family History in North Bay, Ontario The Cotrupi family (for many years the only Cotrupi’s in Canada) came to North Bay, Ontario in late November of 1959. The family consisted of Domenico Cotrupi, of Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, electrician, (whose father,...

The Story of the Crea Family Domenico Ripepi was born in 1873 in Podargoni, a small village near Reggio Calabria, Italy. At the age of 39, he made the difficult decision to leave his homeland in search of a better future. In 1912, he boarded the Saint Anna liner along...

Immigration to North Bay-Rocco & Angela D’Agostino & Daughters My father and mother, Rocco and Angela D’Agostino (nee Morabito), and my sisters: Rosa, Domenica, Pina, and I, were born in Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, Reggio Calabria, Italy.Dad and mum were born...

Early Life and Immigration: Antonino Delfino was born in Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, in the province of Reggio Calabria, Italy. He was the eldest of eight children and the only member of his family to immigrate to North Bay, Ontario. Antonino's journey to North Bay...

DeMarco and Vendetti Family bio In 1907, 16-year-old Carmine (Carmen) DeMarco, born in Podargoni Calabria Italy, followed his 3 older brothers to Niagara Falls, Canada, to help build the hydroelectric dam. Shortly after he arrived, tragically one of his brothers died...

Our mother, Carmela Zimbalatti, was living in North Bay long before she set foot in the Canadian Pacific Railway Station one icy, subzero January day in 1950. Her father, Santo had emigrated with other family members in 1907 so for the most part of her growing years...

Alfredo Greco was born in 1928 in the northern part of Calabria in the small town of Piane Crati, just southeast of Cosenza. Like most in the south, his family grew up very poor, with little access to education and a limited future if he stayed in the area. He was...

In 1913, realizing there were more opportunities in Canada, Salvatore and Concetta (Cipparrone) left their hometown of Pietrafitta in the mountains of Calabria. They sailed from Naples to Ellis Island with their first child, Carlo. After arriving in North Bay,...

What part of Italy they came from? Quinto and Rossana Marchione came from the Abruzzo region of Italy, from a small town called Cocullo in the province of L’Aquila. Quinto arrived in North Bay in 1953 at the age of 19. Quinto went back to Italy in the spring of 1963...

“It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and love to reach your dreams and as hard to keep it going forward successfully through the years.” Take for instance, Domenico (better known as Domenic) and Nicolina Mascioli. They were born in Italy, moved to Canada, became...

Leopoldo Mascioli is my grandfather. To me, he is Grandad Leo. Leo was born in 1876, in Cocullo, Abruzzo. Leo sailed to Boston when he was a young teenager — 12 or 14 — and travelled with a neighbour from Cocullo, who promised to be his guardian. Leo's first job was...

Life Story - Mario Mendicino - (1915 - 1980) Mario Mendicino, was born in the town of Cosenza, on September 3, 1915, to parents Maria Canonaco and Gennaro Mendicino . He was the youngest child in a family of ten. Mario served as a telegraph operator during WW2 in...

(1921-2004) Tommaso (Tom) was born October 10, 1921 in Aprigliano, Grupa Italy Predeceased by his parents Giuseppina and Vincenzo Orlando, three sisters, Raffeala, Luiggina, Santina and three brothers Francesco, Giusepe and Luiggi OrlandoWhen Tom was old enough to...

(1942-2023) Vincenzo (Vince) was born on May 8, 1942 in Aprigliano Grupa, Italy. Vince is survived by his sisters Giuseppina(Pena) D'Agostino (nee Orlando) and Clara Iati (nee Orlando) Predeceased by his parents Tommaso (Tom) and Anina (Anna) Orlando.Vince’s father...

The Pavone family history story begins with the journey that Giuseppe (Peppy) Pavone and Raffaella(Lena) Cirullo undertook to become proud Canadians and lifetime members of the North Bay community. Both born and raised in the small town of Pietrafitta, in the province...

Carmine and I met through a mutual family friend in Cosenza in 1959 and became engaged in 1960. In discussing our future, I told him I wanted to join my sister Palma in North Bay and he agreed that we could have a better life in Canada. At that time, you had to be...

Clement Priolo was born on Oct. 6, 1904, in Santo Stefano d’Aspromonte in Reggio Calabria. In 1921 at the young age of 17, Clement made the decision to immigrate to North America with the aid of his sponsor Stefano Zimbalatti. He embarked on a long journey from Naples...

Life StoryVincenzo 'Jimmy' Priolo(1896 - 1992) Vincenzo Priolo was born in the village of Santo Stefano, on November 14, 1896, to parents Teresa Zappala and Raffaele Priolo. Vincenzo continued his education until he was eleven years old. He served in the artillery in...

The Story of Virginia (Gina) (nee Scarfone) & Domenico Repaci Virginia, was born in Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, Reggio Calabria. • In October 1958, she immigrated to Canada.• She chose to come to Canada, specifically North Bay, Ontario, through the sponsorship of...

Jack Santarossa was born in 1931 in Porcia (Pordenone) Italy. He came to Canada in 1951, sponsored by an uncle in Windsor. He originally went to Windsor to work in a car plant (GM) who were on strike upon his arrival. His uncle knew a general contractor at CFB North...

Giuseppe (Joe) (deceased June 1999) Carmosina (Sina) Scarfone (deceased September 2012) 1. They arrived in Canada in 1954; Both were born in Santo Stefano, in Aspromonte, Reggio Calabria, Italy, 2. As most Immigrants, WW2 left their country in ruin, and there was not...

My grandparents were Maria Ammareta and Eugine Spina and Maria Barone and Francesco Tedesco. Both grandfathers left the town of Pietrafitta in the Province of Cosenza, Italy and arrived in North Bay in the late 1800s. They found jobs on the railroad. They returned to...

For countless other Italian immigrants, the story of our parents immigrating to Canada is a familiar one. Their dream of a better life meant leaving behind the only lives they have ever known. Our parents were born in the village of Pietrafitta, Cosenza. Our mother,...

Fred was born on July 23, 1919, in North Bay, the 4th child of Francesco and Giulia Valenti (e) who had emigrated to Canada in 1914 to start a new life. Jacqueline (Gauthier) caught the eye of Fred Valenti while he was playing hockey with the Victoriaville Tigres....

On October 31st, 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)...

In North Bay on June 25th, 1926, Francesco and Giulia Valenti (e) became parents again to Louis J. Valenti. Louis grew up in the Morin Street area with 7 other siblings – 4 brothers and 3 sisters. On March 3rd, 1962, Louis married Shirley Jean Vulcan. They welcomed 2...

Jack and Iris Vendetti were part of the original Italians to settle in the North Bay area. They formed bonds with many of the other Italian families in the town through the years. Those friendships were so treasured and life lasting as they were founded on the common...

Vincenzo (Vince) Zappala was born on Mar 12, 1941, in Santo Stefano d’Aspromonte in Reggio Calabria. He pursued his studies in Reggio and received his diploma as Geometra (land surveyor). As it was compulsory at the time, Vince served in the Italian military for 18...

Stefano Zimbalatte was born in 1885 in the southern part of Calabria in the town of Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, east of the port city of Reggio Calabria. He was the second oldest of 5 siblings, 3 boys and 2 girls. Life was hard in the south, and Stefano didn’t go to...

Family of Giuseppe Zimbalatti and Fortunata Fava Sons and daughters in order of age: Giuseppe, Vincenzo, Antonino, Gaetano, Caterina, Francesco, Natalina, Beniamino, Benito, Antonietta, Silvio. Immigration: The parents and children were born in Santo Stefano In...

Giuseppe (Joe) Zimbalatti arrived in Canada in 1948 from Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, Calabria, Italy. Having recently completed his service with the Italian Military in Lake Como, Northern Italy, Joe sought new opportunities abroad. He was sponsored by his uncle, Joe...