Italian community explored

Italian community explored
Here and Now column by Dan Hilborn
Published Oct. 30, 2002

Some of the most fascinating stories from the past 50 years of Burnaby are outlined in Ray Culos' new book Vancouver's Society of Italians, Volume 2 published this summer by the local author.
This glossy 300-page tome completes the story of the Italians who emigrated to the Lower Mainland over the past 100 years, and some of the recent history is far more interesting than that old stuff.
Like any good journalist, I turned to the index and looked up names I recognized, beginning with local Italian newspaper editor Rino Vultaggio - and I was not disappointed.
Apparently, the now veteran editor of L'Eco Italia, was once a key player in the building of the Italian Cultural Centre and one of many who tangled, however briefly, with the community's acknowledged leader, former Supreme Court Justice Angelo Branca.
"Branca personifies the dream of the Italian immigrant," Culos said of the most referenced name in his book. "His dad was a miner in Utah who married a mail-order bride from home. They raised a family and 25 years later their son was one of the top 10 criminal lawyers in Canada - appointed to the Supreme Court and later the Appeals Court. That's got to be a great dream."
Of course, there's also a whole chapter called 'Branca brickbats,' and Culos relates the story of how the future judge gained his reputation defending people who were arrested by his police officer brother for illegally selling wine made by the grapes imported to Canada by his father.
There's several chapters on local sporting legends - Bobby Lenarduzzi and Willy Azzi earn special mention - plus a look at the musical Italians of the Lower Mainland.
The index lists almost 1,000 names - and that's just a sampling of the many business people, volunteers, athletes, singers, teachers, politicians and lawyers who earn mention in the book. Of the 115 people interviewed for the book, one-third live in Burnaby.
The first volume, which has one of the few descriptions of the little-known internment of Italians during World War II, is nearly sold out, and the second volume is fast approaching a second printing.
Vancouver's Society of Italians, Volume Two, with design and editing by Harbour Publishing, and is available at Chapters, local Italian shops and the Italian Community Centre.
PASSING ON THE MEMORIES ...
The memories just kept on coming for Doris Currie and Dot Hill, who returned to Nelson school last month, more than 60 years after they graduated from the venerated brick building.
Doris and Dot are two of lifelong friends interviewed in the Sept. 1 issue of the Burnaby NOW about their experiences growing up in Burnaby during the depression.
The story, crafted by reporter Mia Thomas, so intrigued current Nelson elementary teacher Ila Chapman that she invited the two 75- year-old women back into the classroom to reminisce and answer questions from today's students.
Doris and Dot showed up on a recent Friday afternoon bearing armfuls of Rice Krispie squares, chocolate chip cookies and fabulous stories.
"It was a wonderful afternoon, and I am most grateful for these two very impressive ladies for coming. I am also very proud of my students for their meaningful questions and the respect they showed our guests."
The story is made even more charming by the fact that Chapman, who teaches a Grade 6/7 class, is herself a former Nelson school student.
ROYAL REWARD ...
The recent royal visit will surely result in some lifelong memories for a group of high-achieving young people from Burnaby. During his stay in our province, Prince Philip presented Gold Level certificates in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards to a total of 132 B.C. youth, including nine from Burnaby.
Local recipients were Nafisa Abdulla, Cyrus Choi, Caroline Dagg, Jennifer McAskill, Rishma Rajabali, Marie Stevens, Julie Stevens, Sharifa Virani and Shahneen Virani.
The awards goes to young people who achieve high degrees of proficiency in physical recreation, personal skill or achievement, expeditions and community service.
The Duke of Edinburgh awards are usually part of the Scouts, Girl Guides, Army Cadet or Air Cadet programs, but interested young people can sign up as individuals. For more information, contact program executive director Mark Crofton at 604-682-5543.
MR. MAYOR ...
Speaking of awards, soon-to-retire Burnaby mayor Doug Drummond was recently honoured for his years of service to the community with an honorary life membership in the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion.
Drummond was presented with a plaque commemorating the honour last month, at the same time BACI named Jack Cyr as its volunteer of the year.
Drummond has a long history of volunteering for and supporting the group, which recently changed its name from the Burnaby Association for the Mentally Handicapped.