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The First World War - The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 113th & 16th Battalions Pte. Frank Savino was born on March 14, 1891, in “Fojje,” Italy, likely referring to Foggia in southern Italy. He worked as a labourer and resided in Lethbridge, Alberta, where his mother was also living at the time of his enlistment. He enlisted in Lethbridge on August 26, 1916, joining the 113th Battalion (Lethbridge Highlanders), a unit raised in southern Alberta that drew recruits from across

Italian entrepreneurs helped shape Calgary through hard work, craftsmanship, music, food, and community leadership. Roma Grocery Domenico Gasbarri arrived in Calgary around 1903 and opened Roma Grocery in 1917. Located at 207 4 Street NE, the store became a gathering place within the Italian community. Domenico, his wife Antonia, and daughter Flavia lived upstairs, while behind the store he operated a shoe repair and shoemaking shop. Known for his generosity, Domenico often a

The Giovanni Caboto Loggia became a cornerstone of Calgary’s Italian community, built on mutual aid, tradition, and unity. 10 th Anniversary of Calgary Giovanni Caboto’s Loggia No. 8 (1928 ) Italians honoured Giovanni Caboto by naming their organizations after him. They also saw themselves as explorers, building new lives in the country he discovered. As more immigrants arrived and the First World War came to an end, the Loggia Giovanni Caboto No. 8 was officially formalized

Corporal Toni Moro earned the Military Medal for extraordinary bravery under fire during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force The 50th Battalion (Calgary) Toni Moro was a decorated Italian-born soldier who served with distinction in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War. He was born on 7 March 1895 in the quiet village of Campo Casso, Italy. Like many of his generation, he sought a new life across the Atlan

Private Valentino Rinaldi served on the Western Front during the final months of the First World War before returning to help build life in Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 31st Battalion, CEF Private Valentino Rinaldi was born on 29 November 1891 in Sedegliano, Italy. He immigrated to Canada as a young man, eventually settling in Blairmore, Alberta, where he worked as a labourer. A Roman Catholic and single at the time of enlist

Private Mino Pigot survived some of the First World War’s most brutal battles while serving with one of Calgary’s most distinguished battalions. 82nd Battalion cap badge The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force The 82nd and 50th Battalion (Calgary) Mino Pigot was born on 18 January 1885 in Deitzzano, Udine, Italy, the son of Giacinto. His occupation was listed as labourer and he had been living in Canada for 11 years when he enlisted with The Canadian Expeditiona

Private Louis Togno served Canada during the final and most intense phase of the First World War on the Western Front. The First World War 49th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force Louis Togno was born on 5 September 1890, with his place of birth recorded in his First World War service file as “Viena, Italy.” This entry does not correspond to a known geographic location and is best understood as a clerical or phonetic rendering entered at enlistment, when formal documentat

Private Rocco Iafrate helped supply the Allied war effort through the vital and dangerous work of the Canadian Forestry Corps during the First World War. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force Canadian Forestry Corps Rocco Iafrate was born in Sant’Elia Fiumerapido, Italy, on 16 January 1890, the son of Franco. He was living in Crossfield, Alberta, working as a labourer, with his trade listed as farmer, when he enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Fore

Private Enrico Bot answered Canada’s call during the First World War, serving overseas during the final stages of the conflict. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 21st Reserve Battalion Private Enrico Bot was born on 6 June 1886 in Morsano al Tagliamento, Pordenone, Italy, and later emigrated to Canada. He worked as a furnace man and moulder, a skilled industrial occupation common among Italian immigrants in Western Canada. On enlistment under the Military

Twice wounded in battle, Private Carlo Forzani served Canada with courage during both world wars. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 10th Battalion (Canadians) Private Carlo Forzani was born in Borgomanero, Italy, on 13 August 1896, according to a certified civil birth record issued by the Comune di Borgomanero (record accessed via Ancestry). His 1915 Canadian Expeditionary Force attestation papers list his birth as 1 August 1897. He immigrated to North Ame

Despite multiple wounds and the hardships of war, Private Antonio Russello continued serving Canada through the end of the First World War. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 31st Battalion Private Antonio Russello was born in Kaggi (as recorded in service file), likely Caggi, Messina, Italy, on May 12, 1886. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Calgary on January 5, 1916. His next of kin was listed as his mother, Gaetana Russello, residing in

Through hard work, entrepreneurship, and generosity, the Carloni family became pillars of Calgary’s Italian community. Back Row Lydia Anna Lawrence Nina Front Adelaide Luca Luca (Louie) was born in Antrodoco, Italy. In 1913, at the age of 17, he travelled to Calgary where he reunited with his sister Melvina, who had immigrated with her husband Giuseppe Fabbi in 1904 (see Fabbi story). He settled in Bridgeland within the Italian community where he worked for Burns Fo

Through sacrifice, resilience, and family connections, the Cioni family helped shape Calgary’s early Italian community. Genesio (Gene), Gary, Martha, Maria (in front) Gisa Cioni was the first of the Sabato Cioni children to arrive in Calgary from Antrodoco, Rieti, for her marriage to Ricardo Santopinto in 1912 (see Santopinto Family). Gisa’s mother, Villemina Cattani Cioni, had died in 1902 and a year later her father, Sabato Cioni, married Flavia (Fulvia) Cardellini Cioni. T

From Sicily to Calgary, Joe and Bertha Cozzubbo built a home filled with music, family, and community spirit. Back row Donald Bertha Hazel Joe Margaret Front Allan Yvonne Agatino was born in 1894 in Gaggi, Messina, Italy, travelling by boat with his father Salvatore and his brother Marino. They arrived at Ellis Island in 1906. After a stay in New York, their father found work with the CPR, working their way across Canada before settling into life in

From Hillhurst to the coffee trade, Marino Cozzubbo built a life of family, flavor, and community. Marino and brother Agatino (Joe) with Lillian Marino was born in Gaggi, Messina, Italy, and traveled by boat with his father Salvatore and brother Agatino, arriving at Ellis Island in 1906. After staying in New York, the family worked their way across Canada with the CPR, settling in Hillhurst in 1908. In 1916, Marino and Agatino began working for the Tuxedo Coffee and Spice Mil

From military service to community leadership, the Dipalo family helped shape Calgary’s early Italian community. Rose John Irene Raymond Victor Evelyn James was born in Altamura, Bari, Italy. He came over with his father Giovanni and mother Rosaria in 1908. Attending school and settling into life in Calgary, he enlisted in the Canadian Army with the 1st Regimental Battalion of Alberta and was discharged as a private in May 1918. After learning the plumbing and heating

Known as “La Zia per Tutti,” Cesira DiPaolo devoted her life to helping immigrants, supporting her community, and caring for family. Cesira DiPaolo (née Iafolla) was born on May 9, 1900, in the mountain village of Villalago, L’Aquila, to Concetta Grossi and Alfonso Iafolla. Life in the family home was busy and demanding, shaped by the rhythms of rural life and the needs of a large household. As the fourth of seven children, Cesira quickly learned responsibility, often caring

From Italy to Alberta, the Fabbi family’s story reflects resilience, sacrifice, and the strength of family bonds. Leo, Ringo, Benny, Giuseppe, Malvina, Serena , Nordegg 1918 Giuseppe and Malvina (Carloni) Fabbi, both hailing from Antocodoco, Italy, embarked on a journey that brought them to Canada. They traveled by ship to the Port of Quebec, continuing their journey to Calgary, where they arrived on May 1, 1904. The couple obtained their naturalization on September 20, 19

From Antrodoco to Calgary, the Serani family built a quiet life centered on faith, family, and community. Guerrero (Peter) Serafino Yolanda Palma Joseph (Pep) circa 1926 Serafino and Palma (Fabi) Serani were among some of the first Italian families to emigrate to Calgary in the early part of the 20th century. They were both born in the central Italian town of Antrodoco in the province of Rieti, in the region of Lazio. Serafino

A humble immigrant with a pickaxe and vision, Lawrence Grassi helped shape some of the most beautiful trails in the Canadian Rockies. Lawrence Grassi standing on Princess Margaret Mountain circa 1920 (open domain). Lawrence Grassi, born Andrea Lorenzo Grassi on December 20, 1890, in Falmenta, Piedmonte, Italy, immigrated to Ontario in 1912 to work for the CPR. Four years later, he moved to Canmore, Alberta to work as a coal miner for the next 30 years, until his retirement in