Fabbi, Giuseppe and Malvina (Carloni)

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, 1911. Giuseppe was a labourer for the City of Calgary and also worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). Their address was listed as 372 – 2nd Avenue East.

Their three sons were born in Calgary at the General Hospital: Ringo on January 1, 1912; Leo on February 10, 1913; and Benedetto (Ben) on February 10, 1915. Around 1917, the family relocated to Nordegg, where Giuseppe found work in the newly opened coal mine to support his growing family. Their daughter, Serena, was born in Nordegg sometime in 1917.

Tragically, the first wave of the Spanish Flu epidemic arrived in Alberta in late November 1918, coinciding with the return of soldiers from WW1. In December 1918, Giuseppe, Malvina, and young Serena all succumbed to the Spanish Flu.

Malvina and Guiseppi outside their house in Calgary, 1910

The three orphaned boys were subsequently placed at The Father Lacombe Orphanage in Midnapore. Luca (Louie) and Adelaide Carloni adopted and raised them together with their growing family.

Ringo eventually moved to British Columbia, where he worked in heavy construction. He later settled in Vernon, operating the local Tastee Freeze for several years before his retirement there.

Leo worked alongside Luca in the shoe shine and importing business and also helped with the Isle of Capri restaurant. It was there he met his future wife, Marjorie. Together, they opened their own Isle of Capri Restaurant in Edmonton, eventually moving back to Calgary. They have one son, Ricardo Fabbi.

Benedetto (Benny) also worked with Luca in his various businesses. He later moved to Las Vegas, where he worked and eventually retired.