Fabbi, Giuseppe and Malvina (Carloni)
Updated: Oct 5
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 travels they arrived in Calgary on May 1, 1904. Their decision to immigrate was influenced by Malvina’s father, Adelmo Carloni, who had previously visited Calgary before returning to Antrodoco. Impressed by what he had seen, he believed Calgary to be a land of opportunity and encouraged the family to relocate there.
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 moved to Nordegg, Alberta, 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 .
After learning of the deaths, Luca Carloni immediately left Calgary and traveled to Nordegg. There, he arranged the burials and helped care for his three nephews, who had been left orphaned. Even though Luca remained in Nordegg to work, the boys were subsequently placed in care at Father Lacombe Home situated in the town of Midnapore (now a part of Calgary) until Luca was in a position to look after them properly.
In December 1923, Luca, now married to Adelaide, arranged for Ringo, Leo, and Benny to join them. Together, they returned to Nordegg, where Luca had a house and a job in the mine. At that point, he was finally able to adopt the three boys and raise them as part of his growing family. The family remained in Nordegg until 1926, when they moved back to Calgary.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. Shortly after marrying Marjorie Cain, they left Calgary to open their own Isle of Capri Restaurant in Edmonton, eventually moving back to Calgary. They had one son.
Benedetto (Benny) also worked with Luca in his various businesses. He later moved to Las Vegas, where he worked and retired.
Written by: Theresa Taverna
Sources: Fabbi Family recollections and photographs
Editorial Review : Reviewed and formatted by the Calgary Italian History Project for web publication