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, Francesco, was from a large family of farmers in the Catona area, a suburb of the city of Reggio Calabria). His wife, Caterina Zimbalatti of Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, and their three children, Francesco, Caterina (Nella) and Fortunata (Tina) accompanied Domenico. The children were all under seven years of age on arrival to Halifax on the SS Conte Biancamano of the Italia Line.

From Halifax, the family journeyed by train to Toronto’s Union Station, and were welcomed to the home of an older brother of Caterina, Antonino, who resided with his wife, Shirley, and their children in Toronto. Caterina’s extended family was a large one and most of her siblings had preceded her to North Bay. Caterina’s parents, Giuseppe Zimbalatti and Fortunata Fava, had eleven children. The children are Giuseppe, Vincenzo, Antonino, Gaetano, Caterina and Francesco (twins), Beniamino, Natalina, Benito, Antonietta and Silvio. The Zimbalatti clan is one that has contributed much to the business and community life of North Bay and beyond.

The first years in North Bay were difficult for the Cotrupi family. There was little employment to be had, especially given that neither Domenico nor Caterina spoke English. Soon, however, Caterina found work at the Civic Hospital and for many years, she continued in the healthcare sector, quickly learning the ropes to become a valued employee at the Civic Hospital and later at Leisure World nursing home. After some years struggling to find suitable work and acquiring English language skills, Domenico found long-term employment first at Longyear, later with Price Signs and finally with George Stockfish Motors where he was the first recipient of their Employee of the Year Award.

A fourth child, Giuseppe, was born to Caterina and Domenico in Canada. The four children all went on to post secondary education in Toronto, with Frank subsequently returning to work with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation in North Bay and then in Huntsville. Nella became a lawyer and after post-graduate studies (MA and PhD), she also taught at the University of Toronto and other post-secondary institutions. Tina became a high school teacher, and later specialized in co-operative education, eventually becoming the Co-operative Education Consultant for the entire Toronto Catholic School Board. Joseph focused his career in retail sales and opened a successful specialty menswear store in Toronto. Addosso Uomo has been attracting a select clientele for over twenty-five years and continues to offer European elegance and quality to discriminating patrons.

There are now ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren in the Cotrupi family, among whom are teachers, electricians, senior administrators in municipal government, IT business executives, business owners, and senior military officers. Although we sadly lost Domenico some years ago, Caterina continues to live an independent and full life, basking in the joy of seeing her family growing and thriving around her.

The Cotrupi family continues to enjoy the activities and celebrations held at the North Bay Davedi Club. It has provided welcome opportunities for memorable gatherings with the wider family and many dear friends. Our family extends warmest thanks and sincere congratulations to all who have contributed to the success of this institution over its many years of service to the community and to the city of North Bay.

Prepared by Nella Cotrupi