Cozzubbo, Salvatore and Rosaria (Furnari)

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 House

Rosaria Furnari Cozzubbo was born in 1875 in Gaggi, Messina, Italy. Sailing from Palermo, she landed at Ellis Island in 1909 along with her two daughters, Sebastina (Jenny), age 11, and Consetta (Edith), age 10. They lived in New York City for two years with relatives. In 1911, they made the journey to Calgary to join her husband Salvatore and sons Marino and Joe.

In 1921, Salvatore bought the building at 1126 Kensington Road where he opened Hillhurst Ice Cream and Confectionery, which remained in operation until the late 1930’s. Rosaria ran the Ice Cream Confectionery for a few years after the death of Salvatore in 1932.

Plaque on the Kensington Pub

Salvatore and Rosaria purchased the house behind the store in 1924 at 207 10A Street NW, where Rosaria lived until 1952. After selling the house, Rosaria went to live with her daughter Consetta Edith. She died in 1955. The house later became the home of The Kensington Pub in 1993.

Marino married Emily Robinson and they had one child.

Agatino (Joe) married Bertha Fortems and they had five children.

Sebastiana (Jenny) married Serafino Taverna and they had five children.

Consetta (Edith) married James Dipalo and they had eight children.