Rebaudengo Angelina (Ceresero)

In 1922, Antonio and Angelina Rebaudengo arrived in Calgary with their infant son, Mario, eager to begin a new life and join Antonio’s brother, Cesare. Both were from Piemonte—Antonio from Piozzo (Cuneo) and Angelina from Coassolo, Torinese. Antonio left Italy due to his opposition to Communism.  They settled in Bridgeland until the 1930’s when they moved across the river to 324 5 Ave East where they lived for many decades.

In Calgary, Antonio worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and between 1936 and 1938 he was appointed Honorary Consul of Italy. Angelina worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company.  As two of the educated and literate Italians in the growing community, they often played a key role in helping new Italian immigrants settle in the city. Antonio also founded the Fascist Party in Calgary, a requirement linked to his consular position under Mussolini, which mandated party membership.

Although Antonio held the official (unpaid) title of Consul, much of the work fell to Angelina. She managed consular paperwork and provided vital support to new arrivals—helping them find housing and employment, translating, completing forms, and writing letters to family back home. Her assistance often extended further, especially for women, as she helped with marriage preparations and even supported them during pregnancy and childbirth.

During the Second World War, Italians in Alberta suspected of fascist ties were arrested and interned. In Calgary, Antonio Rebaudengo was the only Italian interned. He spent three years in camps in Kananaskis, Petawawa, and Gagetown before being released in September 1943. Before his arrest, he instructed Angelina to destroy Fascist records, leaving few surviving documents. Meanwhile, their son Mario served in the Canadian Army.

During WW11 Canada had many different programs one of which was:

Dependants’ Allowances: Under military pay regulations, single soldiers and officers with dependent relatives—including widowed mothers—could apply for financial assistance. The program provided regular monthly stipends to support those left behind while their sons were on active duty.

Angelina applied for this allowance several times but was denied each time due to Antonio’s intermittent status and her “enemy alien” designation.

One day, she collapsed in her yard, and a neighbour found her and carried her into her house. The door was kept unlocked so the neighbour could check on her.

A couple of weeks later, while she was still ill, she was listening to the radio when a broadcast by Prime Minister Mackenzie King came on. He thanked women for giving up their sons to the war effort and stated that the government would look after mothers through a Dependents Allowance.

She became very angry and shouted, “Liar!” at the radio.

She wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, calling him a “liar” for his promises to mothers and explaining her situation. She marked the letter “Personal and Confidential” and mailed it, unsure if he would ever receive or read it.

A couple of weeks later, she answered her door to find two RCMP officers standing there. They explained that they had been sent to escort her to the Palliser Hotel, where the Federal Minister of Justice, along with a high-ranking RCMP officer and a doctor, wished to meet with her.

The meeting lasted a couple of hours. She expressed her grievances about having no support, no money, and no telephone because of her status. The Minister apologized and informed her that she would receive the $20 per month allowance going forward, along with back payments for the previous six months. He also gave her a number to call directly if she became ill or needed assistance again.

To her surprise, on the ride home, the RCMP officers stopped at the telephone office, where she was allowed to register for a telephone line. The next day, the line was installed, and within a week, a cheque for $160 arrived in the mail.

Even in those days, she showed what could be achieved by standing up for herself and righting wrongs!

Antonio was eventually released from internment and returned to work for the CPR, where he remained for many years until his retirement  Antonio became the Counsel again in the 50’s for many years, perhaps a reward for his time in the camps. He was active in the Italo-Canadian Society and the Giovanni Caboto Loggia. He passed away in 1982.

Their son Mario returned home from the army and settled back into civilian life, marrying and raising four children.

Angelina continued her involvement with Adelaide Cairoli, within the Italian community and church activities. She remained a respected and admired figure, whose voice carried weight within her community. Her life stands as a testament to resilience, courage, and quiet determination. She lived a full life, surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and passed away in November 2000, just one month after her 100th birthday—leaving behind a legacy of strength and perseverance.