Santopinto, Riccardo and Gisa (Cioni)

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. Although they lived on the same street in Antrodoco, they did not know each other before immigrating. They were married in Calgary on July 22, 1912.

Riccardo and Gisa had five children:

• Giannina “Jean” (1914)

• Frank (1916)

• Mageste “Magi/John” (1918)

• Concetta “Connie” (1920)

• Anthony “Tony/Nino” (1922)

The family initially lived at 434 1 Ave NE, close to the present-day site of the Calgary Italian Cultural Centre. They later moved to 409 4 Ave NE, and then in the mid-1930s to 305 4 St NE.

Riccardo worked at Riverside Iron Works and later for the City of Calgary as a labourer. Gisa was a homemaker, an excellent cook, and a dedicated community volunteer. Sadly, Riccardo passed away in 1944 at the relatively young age of 62. The children attended St. Angela’s and St. Mary’s schools and were closely connected to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church from its earliest days. Riccardo was an early member of Loggia Giovanni Caboto, while Gisa remained active in groups associated with the Club.

Jean worked in several retail establishments, including Rochons Confectionary and the Palace of Eats, before becoming head cashier at the downtown Hudson’s Bay Company store for many years. Frank attended SAIT and moved to Montreal in the 1930s, where he spent his career with Pratt & Whitney.

Mageste attended both the University of Alberta and Gonzaga University, where he played hockey and graduated in Chemistry. At age 29, he became a Redemptorist priest and was ordained in 1952. Throughout his career, he served at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church as well as parishes in Calgary, Edmonton, and British Columbia.

Connie worked for Canadian Pacific Telegraph for many years and later became secretary at St. Alphonsus School. Nino became a lifelong photographer, beginning his career while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.

During their early years, the family attended many Italian picnics, and in their youth, the boys played in bands associated with the Club. The family remained deeply active within the Church and the Italian community throughout their lives.

The Santopinto family grew further as the siblings married and started families of their own. Jean married Jack Amantea, Frank married Clara Hallam, Connie married Frank Kuri, and Nino married Rosemary Fletcher.

Gisa passed away in 1972.