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From Italy to Calgary, the Taverna family built a life rooted in hard work, community, and tradition. Elaine Tommy Jenny Elaine Serafino Sam Serafino Taverna was born on July 23, 1887 in Colosimi, Cosenza, Italy. He left Italy in 1906 and arrived at Ellis Island on June 21, 1906. From there, he travelled to Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) to meet his brother, eventually making his way to Calgary where he worked at the street car barn for the City. He obtained his Certi

From Sicily to Calgary: the Cozzubbo family built a life rooted in hard work, family, and community. Salvatore Cozzubbo was born in 1861 in Gaggi, Messina, Italy. He immigrated to Canada in 1906 along with sons Agatino (Joe), age 12, and Marino, age 13. They made their way to Calgary where they settled in the Hillhurst neighborhood at 317 - 10 1/2 Street W. While working for the City, Salvatore made a home for his sons until the rest of the family came to join them. Store and

A pioneer of Bridgeland, Annibale Corradetti helped build Calgary through hard work, resilience, and devotion to family. Annibale Corradetti (1867–1952) arrived in Calgary in February 1903, following his brother who had immigrated in 1899. His brother eventually returned to Italy in 1902, complaining that Canada’s winters were too cold, the flowers had no scent, and the women were not as beautiful as those back home. Annibale famously replied, “I think I can do better,” and s

From coal mines to new beginnings: two Italian families built a life of resilience, sacrifice, and community in Alberta. The first is our maternal grandparents wedding picture. The couple on the left is Maria and Luigi Fantin and the other is Luigia and Giovanni Violini. The second picture is our father's family circa 1930, and the last picture is the house our grandfather built in Sunnyside circa 1925. On December 4, 1906, at the age of 28, Giovanni Violini arrived at Ellis

From Ellis Island to Calgary: the Santopinto family’s journey of faith, sacrifice, and Italian pride across generations. Riccardo Santopinto arrived at Ellis Island on the San Giovanni, which sailed from Naples on April 14, 1910. He was 28 years old. He came from Antrodoco, Aquila, where he was born on February 20, 1882. Gisa Cioni, also from Antrodoco, arrived at Ellis Island on July 1, 1912, aboard the Moltke from Naples at 19 years of age. She was born on June 14, 1893. Al

For more than three decades, Lillian Cozzubbo inspired generations of Calgarians through dance, music, and creativity. Lillian is the one waving Tootsie on the horse in front of Lillian looking back Lillian Cozzubbo was born on June 19, 1924, in Calgary to Marino and Emily Cozzubbo. She began dancing at the age of four and quickly developed a passion for performance and music that would shape her entire life. As a teenager, instead of taking breaks during school summers,

Hillhurst Ice Cream and Confectionery became a beloved gathering place in Kensington, serving Calgary families for generations. Located at 1122 Kensington Road NW, Hillhurst Ice Cream and Confectionery was opened in 1921 after Salvatore Cozzubbo purchased the building. The store quickly became a popular neighborhood destination, known for its ice cream counter lined with glass jars filled with candies. Rose Dipalo inside her grandparents Ice Cream parlor Alongside sweets and

The Italian explorer whose 1497 voyage helped open the door to Canada’s history. Who was this man who landed on our shores in 1497? Giovanni Caboto was an Italian explorer and navigator with an idea that would take him across the Atlantic Ocean. He dreamed of finding a shorter route to Asia — a vision that would eventually become part of Canadian history. Born around the 1450s in Genoa, Italy, Caboto later moved with his family to Venice, where he learned navigation, map read

It is impossible to think of Italian history in southern Alberta without acknowledging the life and contributions of one of its earliest pioneers, namely Giorgio (George) Pocaterra. Giorgio W. Pocaterra was born in Piovene Rocchette, Veneto, Italy, into a prominent aristocratic family. His father was a senior executive in a textile company, and Giorgio’s early life reflected the expectations of his status. He received his education in northern Italy, Switzerland, and Germany,