THE CANADIAN FURLAN'S STORY

The Canadian Furlan, Doriano (left), and brother Gianpaolo (Paul) under family sign - Italy.

IVANO SAYS: Many of my LNostra-Costa 'Blaggatori' have asked me, "Who is this Canadian Furlan who knows so much about Italian History?" Well, Doriano, who is a teacher in Canada, has written a short bio about himself and his family. Thanks Doriano.

THE STORY OF THE CANADIAN FURLAN

I was born in Canada 1956. My parents immigrated to Canada in 1952, just after they were married. My Father left first and then my Mother joined my Dad almost a year later. I was the only child for a long time when my brother Paul was born in 1965, and then my sister came much later in 1969.


My parents were not typical Italian (Furlan) immigrants because they both had a trade. In fact many of my parents’ family and friends discouraged my parents from immigrating and instead asked them to weather out the storm that Italy and most of post war Europe was experiencing economically. My Father, an auto-body repairman’ was involved in a business partnership. He and another fellow Furlan owned a body shop in Udine. It was established during the war and continued until in 1950 - 51.

The partnership was eventually dissolved and my father attempted to do it on his own. However, due to issues beyond his control, Dad was not able to make the business viable. He became discouraged and originally decided to immigrate to Australia. The only reason he changed his mind (to immigrate to Canada instead) was due to the fact that he had a cousin living in Welland, Canada. His cousin Maria Degano had been living in Welland since the 1930's. Even so, Dad and Mom decided to immigrate for only 5 years, planning to make some money and then returning back to Friuli.

As I mentioned I was born in 1956 and our first trip back to Friuli was in 1960. We stayed in Friuli for 3 months. My father looked around and decided maybe we could stay permanently. However, Italy was still economically recuperating from WW II. Things were not yet good enough to stay. My Dad could earn more money working as an employee in Canada then working on his own in Italy. So back to Canada!

It was difficult for my parents because there were only cousins on my Father's side living in Canada. My Mother's brother and my Dad's brother came to Canada for short periods; however, my Mother's brother returned to Friuli. There he found a bride who did not want to leave Friuli. (To this day my, Uncle Luciano regrets not returning to Canada. He always says the life in Canada is much better than in Friuli.)

My Father's brother Giuliano, also came to Canada and did extremely well; however, he became severely ill with an incurable liver decease. He was given 3 months to live (he was 33 years old). My Father convinced his brother to return to Friuli where he lived exactly 3 months, passing away in November 1960. (This was during the time that my family was visiting Friuli.)

After my Uncle’s death, my parents decided to return to Canada. I was only 4 yrs old at the time, but remember it like it was yesterday. My parents worked away loving Canada, but their heart was still in Friuli. My father returned to Friuli in 1963 to look after his Mother who was very ill. He spent another 3 months there with his mother taking her to many places. While there my Father purchased a very large piece of property in Campoformido, Udine. His intention was that one-day we would all return to Friuli and build his Autobody Shop and home in Campoformido.

All he and my Mother would talk about was one day returning to Friuli. In the process they prepared me for the eventual trip back to Friuli. They always spoke to me in correct grammatical Italian. They even sent me to an Italian school on Saturdays. Meanwhile they spoke in Furlan when speaking to one another. As a consequence, I can speak and write Italian fluently and also Furlan.

The years passed, and in 1965 my brother Paul was born. I was the one who chose the name Paul, because the Beatles were popular at that time; I was torn between choosing John (after John Lennon) or Paul (after Paul McCartney). At this point, my Mother took over and said, “We will call him Gianpaolo”. I told Mom that it had to be a North American derivative name since we lived in Canada. I suggested the name John Paul. She said, “No! We are going back to Friuli so it must be a Furlan name...an Italian name!” Thus, my brother was named Gianpaolo; however, in the end, I had my way. I proceeded to call him Paul and I always have called him Paul. Guess what? The name Paul has stuck with him... all these years. And he still goes by Paul.

After my brother Paul was born, my parents really started to get serious about their plans to return to Friuli. One day they finally decided that they were indeed going to leave Canada. Oh Boy! That really hit me. I wasn't so sure that I wanted to leave for Friuli. I was 11 years old at the time and I just finished grade 5 and was going into the 6th grade. I had a lot of friends. I started to feel a little negative about the whole thing! I really had doubts about leaving Canada and all my friends.

After they had decided (in 1967) to move back to Friuli, my parents went through a hectic six months of preparing for the voyage. They had to sell off all their furniture and other things that they could not take with them. We even had to move in with friends for a month prior to leaving. There was a lot of confusion. Even my parents were starting to doubt their decision to move back to Fruili; however, late August 1967 the move was finally made.

Once back in Friuli, we moved into my Father’s birth home in Pasian di Prato Udine. (Pasian is about 5 kilometers outside the City of Udine.) The house my father was born in was shared with Dad's older brother Pascul. Well things did not look so good for me there. My friends were not around and everything was so different. Also my parents could not get used to being back in Friuli. Yes, it was certainly nice to see the family and being close to them and I did make friends who, by the way, I am still in contact with today. But the economics in Italy / Friuli were nothing like in Canada/North America. Things seemed very antiquated! My Father attempted to set up his business again; however, there were too many obstacles (a lot of red tape, too much bureaucracy, etc.). Also, the old house we were living in at the time was not very comfortable. Believe it or not, there was no bathroom inside that house. We had to go outside to an out- house to take care of business.

Meanwhile things were not going so great for me at school. They told me that my Italian was not up to standard, so they placed me three grades back. This was a lot of baloney because I could speak and write perfect Italian. However, the school knew my father was from Canada and they thought he had plenty of money. They wanted to send me to this tutorial school (for a fee of course) that was affiliated with some of the teachers. It really was quite political.
At about this time, I ended up getting really sick. I contracted Spinal Meningitis and was hospitalized for 3 months. (At one point, I almost did not make it.) While recuperating in a hospital in Udine, I actually was quarantined due to the nature of my virus. I was restricted to being seen by adults only.

While I was still in hospital, my father came by one day and told me he was going to return to Canada and set things up for us to all return to Canada. Wow! We were going back home to Canada. I was extremely happy for myself, but also for my parents. Both my Father and Mother experienced considerable stress in the one-year we spent in Friuli. They found it extremely difficult to repatriate themselves after living away for 15 years. They often said, “We have become Canadians and we actually prefer the way of life in Canada.”

I could not believe it! After all those years of preparing me for the “wonderful” life in Friuli, we were going back to Canada. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) Friuli was a total disappointment. However, I could see that my parents’ minds were now at ease. They at least made the attempt to return even if it didn’t work out. To their credit, they had the courage to admit their mistake and placed closure on the idea of returning to Friuli.

Well it really does not end there because my parents, brother, sister and I have returned back to Friuli many times throughout the years. We never really lost touch. We keep our traditions and always to this day my parents’ hearts are still in Friuli. However they also will say without any disrespect to their Friuli, that Canada is now their home because it provided the financial path they were seeking for themselves and all of us as well. My parents had good foresight and became Canadian Citizens back in 1957 after five years in Canada.

Of further note: my brother Paul and Sister Joanne speak Italian but not as well as I do and unfortunately they do not speak Furlan. My sister responds to my Mother and Father in English, my brother in Italian / English. As for me, I respond strictly in Italian and when I want to emphasis things I speak to my parents in Furlan!

My sister Joanne who will be turning 40 this year has two boys, her youngest, Elio, is only 4-months old. This has kept my parents young because my Mother loves children. So my sister has a young family and now my oldest daughter Celina who will be turning 26 in a few weeks will be marrying! Genna my youngest daughter will be matron of honor. My brother Paul who lives in Toronto has two children and is also a teacher.

My wife Suzanne is French Canadian; she is bilingual and speaks fluently in French. This is a story for another time, because my mother and father in law both speak French. They speak limited English because they were born in the province of Quebec, which is a French-speaking province. As you can imagine they also had a lot of hardships when they moved from Quebec to Ontario (an English speaking province). The language and customs were very different and they also went through many years of hardships wanting to return back home to their land of birth.

Well, Ivano, mi caro amico Furlan, that’s my life in a nutshell, or is it a castagna. As you always say: sempre avanti.

ciao e mandi,
Doriano
The Canadian Furlan

FIGHTING FURLANS OF WW II - BY DORIANO DEGANO

"Fighting Furlans": (l-r) Fortunato [Toni] Degano and Tarcisio [Civon] Rossi

IVANO SAYS: IN MY BOOK 'LA NOSTRA COSTA', I INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ENDNOTE ON PAGE 148:

"A very poignant film, directed by Enzio Monteleone, entitled "El Alamein-The Line of Fire",depicts, both with courage and pathos, the Italian soldiers' hopeless plight in North Africa. Distributed by Palace Films, it was shown at the 2004, Italian Film Festival, in Marin." *

While the hopeless war in North Africa was raging, another hopeless war was being faught in Greece and the Balkans. The 'Canadian Furlan", Doriano Degano gives us an historical account of the "Fighting Furlans" who participated in that war.

Ivano "Mio Caro Amico"How are you my dear Furlan Friend !! Sempre Avanti that is a motto we should all take to heart. Well as you know I have been in contact with Reno, we have had some long email discussions and a few telephone conversations. And he has been sharing some information with me regarding the Alpino Reggimento Julia. And as you know I have been doing some research on my family tree and have completed some extensive historical research on my uncle Fortunato (Toni) Degano who was in the Alpino Julia Division 8th Reggimento Battiglione Cividale 16th Compania. In the Photo attached, left hand side, is my Uncle Fortunato (Toni) Degano born 2-October-1919 died 28-February-1941 Albania, and beside him (right hand side of photo) is his childhood friend Tarcisio (Civon) Rossi born 11-November-1919 missing in action never found 19-January-1943 Russia. As you know all Furlans had nicknames as you have experienced with your Father "Bronco". For some reason that was the style in Friuli back then primarily because many had very common last names. In Pasian di Prato Udine where my Father's family originates Degano is similar to Smith here in North America. Today however the nickname is no longer a style used. My Uncle Toni Degano was part of an Elite Division Alpini known as the Julia. The Division is no longer part of the Italian army, the Alpini are but the Julia was basically retired after WWII due to so many casualties. As I mentioned in order to qualify to become an Alpino, an individual must be at least 5' 9" tall and weight at least 160lbs., so this qualified many Northern Italians primarily Friulani, and this was the area that the Julia was formed from. My Uncle Toni and his best friend Tarcisio were drafted in the Army and quickly deployed to Kukes Kosovoe Albania where the Italian Army very quietly over took the very weak and fragile Balkan country of Albania. This was a strategic move to ensure Italy was protected due to their declaration of war against Britain. As you know the plan was then escalated when Mussolini heard of his buddy Hitler, quickly dispatching Poland in 1939. Feeling less of a dictator, Mussolini ill advised entered of Greece with absolutely no plans. Here the Italian armies primarily supported by the Alpino Julia were not prepared to fight a Guerrilla Type warfare in the mountains of Greece in late Autumn 1940, where the weather and the terrain hampered any formal military interaction. The Greek army primarily relied on sniper and ambush attacks using the mountains as their back drop. In addition the Greek army was being heavily supported by the British with equipment and supplies. Now the Regiment my Uncle was in, the 8th Alpino battaglione Cividale were without supplies, another friend of my uncle Vittorio Demarco, who is alive today at 90 years old, spent days with me to recount the sacrifices they all endured in Albania, Greek and Russian Fronts. Like I mentioned out of 350 men in my uncle's Battaglione only 50 men survived. They were basically murdered to put it bluntly. They did not have any clothing for winter warfare. It was brutal. Vittorio told me he was there the day my uncle Toni died. He went to witness the slaughter after major bombings. They were continuously hit by mortar attacks, they did not stand a chance. Vittorio told me the only reason he survived the Greek campaign was because he was given orders that 28th day of Feb 1941, to bring all the wounded down to the medical team from the Mountain top known as the Golico. Otherwise he would have been gone as well. Vittorio also told me all the men that did survive February 28th 1941, were all stricken with severe frost-bite to their hands and feet. My uncle's boyhood friend Tarcisio was badly stricken with frost bite on his feet, and was deployed back home to Friuli to hospital to recover. However, soon as the recovery was over from Frost Bite, both Tarcisio and Vittorio were both deployed to the Eastern Front Russia in 1942, but before leaving again to war they both signed a pack to join the resistance THE PARTISANS. Both Vittorio and Tarcisio both knew that they must rid Italy of this dictatorship that was strangling Italy. Many people joined the resistance forming an army of Partisians to secretly remove the Fascists from power, regardless of the methods used. Once in Russia Vittorio managed to survive through shear toughness. And as evident today, Vittorio has this air about him that one would have second thoughts to pick a fight with him. Tarcisio went missing in Russia never found on January 19th 1943. Many Italian soldiers went missing in action, never returning and their families never really putting some sort of closure to their lives. My uncle Toni Degano was laid to rest in Albania but after the war his remains and all the remains of his soldier friends were moved to Italy.They are resting in a military cemetery in Bari, review the web site http://ilcapocomitiva.blogspot.com/2006/10/il-sacrario-militare-di-bari.html where 1,000's of Italian soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice during WWII. My uncle Fortunato was really not "Fortunato" as you know fortunato translated means fortunate. He gave his life for his country. The sad part of his my uncle Toni left behind a girl friend that he had intentions of marrying, but she too shortly after my uncle passed away, also passed away from not having quick medical attention due to a severe appendix attack. Many hospitals in Friuli were without medical care due to most Doctors being deployed for the war effort. This is truly a sad story. I have more but this should do well on the 'Blagga'. Wishing all of you and your Families a very Happy Easter. Spend time with your loved ones!! -- Doriano A. Degano

SANTA CRUZ RECOLLECTIONS - BY LaNORMA

l
LaNORMA (IN FRONT) WITH (L-R) UNCLE QUINTO NERI, MOTHER DIANA AND FATHER DANTE DINELLI AND AUNT ELVIRA NERI
THIS PHOTO TAKEN IN FROM OF SERAFINA'S [BELTRAMI'S] 'SU PER LA COSTA', C. 1946

NORMA DINELLI WILSON:

I was born in the old Sisters Hospital in l940 although then it was the Handley Hospital
(the Sisters bought the hospital in l94l).

Now it is gone – it is the Dream Inn parking lot. Where the Dream Inn is now was a cliff
with paths that we walked down to Cowell’s Beach. We always parked on Bay St. by the
big barn – where the condos are now. I am sure many of you remember how it was.

There are so many things to remember and so many things have changed and with us
all sharing – so much comes back to our minds – how cozy and laid back Santa Cruz and surroundings were.

One high school – SCHS – buses coming from everywhere in the county –
north from the Summit, south from Aptos and from Davenport, Bonny Doon
and from Felton and Ben Lomond. In l953 San Lorenzo High School was opened
(before that it was in Boulder Creek). There was Holy Cross but it was a small school.
Our big rival for football was Watsonville.

We walked everywhere even at dusk and nighttime without worrying as we do today.
I remember Madeline Perrona Crews telling me that she and a friend worked at
the Boardwalk in summer and after it closed they would walk home to Encinal Street –
think she said that sometimes they walked through the tunnel under Holy Cross!!

In those days there was no highway from Mission Street to River Street behind Holy Cross.
Some of the houses that were located where the intersection of Mission & Chestnut Sts are
were moved to the corner of Mission and Chestnut. It is worth checking out photos at
Covello & Covello (which was Vester Dick Photography years ago)

One big change to Santa Cruz was the l955 flood. Our town was never quite the same
after that and then l0 years or so later in l965 the University was begun and changes really escalated.

The flood was sad and devastating. We lived up the Coast (where I grew up after we moved
from Davenport). On Dec. 22 (I think?) we were visiting my aunt and uncle on Dufour and
we left later that night driving the old Coast Rd. – when we got to Wilder’s Ranch – it was all
flooded. My Dad was really brave and took a chance driving slowly through the raging water.
My Mom and I and my Dad were really scared and probably did more praying getting through
there than all our life combined!! Luckily we got to the other side safely and home. It was a
treacherous night of rain. The next day my Dad and I drove his big 4-wheel drive from the
ranch as he had to bring something to the packing house in Santa Cruz. After that we decided
to drive down to Lincoln Street Bakery for a treat --- lo and behold as we came off the hill by
SCHS everything was under water almost all the way up to Chestnut St.
Cars were topsy turvy - it was tragic! We drove a little further and we could see debris of all
kinds rapidly going down the river – it touched me so as I saw Christmas trees and gifts among
other things going down the river. Of course we didn’t know anything about what had happened
in the night as our electricity had been out all night and we did not have a phone in our house –
the nearest phone was in our cookhouse across the street. Also there was no TV – only a few
people had TVS especially up the Coast as reception was bad. But it wouldn’t have mattered –
we were without electricity.

We just couldn’t believe what we were seeing---was it the “beginning of the end” of
Santa Cruz as we knew it?!

Guess we all could go on and on with so many memories. I know I could
but we’ll have to stay tuned for the “rest of the stories”………………………

THOUGHTS FROM IL BUCO - GULCH RANCH-SU PER LA COSTA

THE 'OLD RANCERE' IN IL BUCO. THE OLD SHEDS IN THE BACKGROUND ARE THE ORIGINAL (ALTHOUGH MOVED AROUND).

VIEW OF 'IL BUCO' FROM THE COAST ROAD. THE OLD BARN IS ON THE LEFT. THE PATH UP THE HILLSIDE FOLLOWS CLOSELY THE PATH THAT MY FATHER, GERVASIO "BRONCO" COMELLI TOOK EVERY MORNING FROM OUR HOUSE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL (NO LONGER THERE) TO THE RANCH 'COOKAHOUSA' (NO LONGER THERE)

PILE OF LUMBER INDICATING THE LOCATION OF THE 'OLD COOKAHOUSA' BEFORE IT BURNED DOWN, c. 2002.

THE 'OLD RANCERE' WITH JEAN AND ANDREW HSU, CURRENT OWNERS OF 'IL BUCO'

IVANO SAYS: Received the below e-mail from Michael Feldman, current resident of 'Il Buco'

Dear Ivano,

I am currently reading your book "La Nostra Costa (Our Coast)" and am so intrigued that I had to e-mail you before I could even finish. My roommate Scott lent me the book after he read it and was equally inspired. As you know by now we both live in your former residence at 'Il Buco' and have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here over the past two years. This property is truly one of a kind, given its beautiful surroundings, proximity to the ocean (all of us happen to be avid surfers by the way) and relative isolation.

Reading your book and gaining insight into the surrounding history of the property, along with other areas of the North Coast, has made our stay in il buco so much more rewarding. I can honestly say that we are tending to the land and property as best we can, planting a large organic garden, adding an herb garden in the front of the house, keeping the house in prime condition and maintaining the qualities that have made our stay so special. This place has felt like paradise from day one and the feeling has not been lost in the time between. I hope you know that you have an open invitation to stop by anytime you'd like to meet us and reconnect with the property that has provided you with such a rich and lively upbringing. I'm sure you'll be surprised to see how its changed, as well as how much it has remained the same. I look forward to meeting you someday and receiving a tour of the place that has continued to give so much to all of us. Much thanks to the history and inspiration you've provided. -Michael Feldman

FALLEN OFFICERS - OAKLAND POLICE

SGT. DANIEL SAKAI, AGE 35

SGT. ERVIN ROMANS, AGE 43

SGT. MARK DUNKIN, AGE 40

IN WHAT THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE CALLED THE WORST

POLICE KILLINGS SINCE 1970, THE ABOVE THREE SERGEANTS

WERE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

SATURDAY, MARCH 21,2009

THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS CAN BE

FOUND AT: WWW.SFGATE.COM

L'IMMIGRANTE (THE IMMIGRANT)

THE ABOVE PHOTO WAS BORROWED OFF ONE OF THE 'FURLAN' BLOGS.( I FORGOT WHICH. ) IT SYMBOLIZES QUITE WELL THE THOUGHTS EXPRESSED IN 'THE CANADIAN FURLANS' ELOQUENT E-MAIL POSTED BELOW.

Ivano "Mio Caro Amico": I am so ever greatfull to you for allowing me to be a part of "La Nostra Costa".There are times I feel as if I actually grew up with all of you "Su per la Costa"!! And to make things even more realistic I have recently been in contact with my other caro amico Reno Cantarutti. As all of you may or may not know I knew Reno's aunt Luigina (Reno's Mother's Sister) and his uncle John, who was the founder of the Fogolar Furlan in Windsor Ontario. So we have a significant connection. And as I stated in your "Blagga" and will state it until my last breath; we cannot ever thank our parents enough for their visionary dreams to make a better life for themselves, leaving their land of birth and in many cases sacrificing beyond our worst nightmares. As I mentioned to Reno and I know most of you on the "Blagga" most of the Italian immigrants here in the Niagara Region are primarily from Southern Italy, Abbruzzi, Calabria, Napoli. These Italian immigrants most of whom came across the Atlantic after WWII from 1949 - 1960. Most of these people have never left their villages, let alone embark on a ship to cross the Atlantic. Many were taken advantage of, some taken advantage of by their own paesani that were already here for years. Some were paid $0.50 a day in 1950 to work as a farm hand, can you believe this ? As the years passed by many of these people landed jobs in the fast emerging industrial growth of the late 50's and 60's. Many Italian immigrants were able to land good paying manufacturing jobs primarily because of their unconditional work ethic. And I can state this since I saw this with my own eyes; many of these factory workers worked all the over time they could get many taking advantage of working double shifts. They never took holidays except for two weeks a year when the factories closed during the summer heat wave. And you think during the two week factory shut down these paesani would take a holiday? Not a chance they all went to work at seasonal jobs that were in abbundance, especially in the local farms. In the Niagara area we are blessed to have many fruit farms; strawberries, peaches, pears, cheeries and now recently on the lower escarpment bordering Lake Ontario grapes and the wine industry. So many of our Paesani worked non stop for years, many years. And they were frugal some never learning to drive, growing enormous gardens with fig trees that they would bury to protect during our sub zero winters. Now as I mentioned to Reno what do you think happened to the children of these hard working immigrants? Some emulated the work ethic of their parents and went on to become pillars of our community as lawyers, doctors, etc. And some well amounted nothing but spoiled take and never give back type of individuals. I can say most of my friends who's parents have immigrated from Italy have all thanked their parents first of all for giving them opportunities and most have gone on to contribute where their parents have left off.

Ciao e Mandi

Doriano "The Canadian Furlan"

PRIORITIES

A RANCERE'S LAMENT

IVANO SAYS: Today is March 15, 2009. It is my father's (Gervasio "Bronco" Comelli) 109th birthday. It is also marks the third year that "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast") has been in publication. The 'Lament' (hopefully) capsulates the hard times that the ranchers faced "su per la costa", during the Great Depression. In my father's honor I publish below the "Rancere's Lament" as translated into Italian by my good friend Gino Roberto Campioni. Those of you who have the book can go to the back cover to read the English version. Sempre Avanti.





Lamento d'un Rancere*

In una mattinata particolarmente nebbiosa, un rancere era nel campo, faticosamente cambiando direzione dell'aqua che mandave alle piante di cavolini. Era profondamente dipresso. Appoggiato alla sua sciavola, ha dato uno sguardo al cielo scuro. Con voce di tristezza e se forse aspettasse quache cosa o qualcuno di essere lassu, ha cominciato suo lamento:

"Lavoro ogni giorno in questi campi, sprofondo nel fango, sento nessun' odore altro che pattume, ed in un paio d'ore il vento mi soffiera sabbia e detriti in faccia. Il prossimo mese quando pioverà, mi bagnerà i panni, e dovrò portare quei sacchi bagnati su e giu per i sorchi in fango. Lavoro dieci o dodici ore ogni giorno per pochissimi soldi. Mio figlio giovane è malato e non posso pagare il medico. My mogliettina è incinta e presto arriverà nostro secondo figliolo. Dove troverò la moneta per governare unaltra bocca? Ho promesso my bella sposa una vita facile in America. Ha trovato soltanto lavoro duro e tempi disperati. Se c'è un Dio lassu, perche non si fa vedere? Perche non mi aiuta? Ho bisogno di piu moneta! O Dio, se Voi siete lassu, perche non fate cenno e con Vostra mano per migliorare la mia vita?"

Veramente, non aspettando risposta, il rancere abbassò sua testa e con sua sciavola pian piano tornò à lavorare. Poi dalla nebbia fitta ed arcana, gli parve sentire una voce, gentile e sincera:

"O rancere mi. Non lo sai? Vivi su per la costa--non in paradiso."
*****************************************************
*Translated by Gino Roberto Campioni (with the exclusive permission of the author) from the copyrighted English version, as it appears in "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast), published by Authorhouse, 2006: http://www.authorhouse.com/

MICHAEL NANNA REMEMBERS SANTA CRUZ

IVANO SAYS: RECEIVED THE ABOVE PHOTO AND E-MAIL (BELOW) FROM MICHAEL NANNA. THE SANTA CRUZ HOSPITAL (WHERE 'LITTLE IVANO' AND MICHAEL WERE BORN) IS NOW PART OF THE BRANCIFORTE PLAZA ON SOQUEL AVENUE.

Signor Ivano,

I just received your book 'La Nostra Costa (Our Coast) Wednesday (a paperback copy). Now I am looking forward to getting a hardback copy of this book. I'm still digesting much of what you say (and don't say). I will write a comprehensive sketch sometime in the future. I will say this….. your book speaks straight to my heart.

Please note that my wife Tania (of 20-years this April), and I left California over 10-years ago. The last time I visited the Santa Cruz area was in 1997, to see my maternal Grandmother, Ruby Violet Strong (only weeks before her death). She was born in San Fransisco in 1906. Needless to say, I've been out of the area for quite a spell now. Your book, however, does bring back sweet memories.

A little about me. I was born at Santa Cruz Hospital in 1956. Of course this is the same hospital that you were born in (only 19-1/2 years apart). I am the grandson of Ermanno Vincenzo Nanna ( Herman Vincent Nanna Sr.) who was born in 1906 in Massa Cararra (Commune di Fivizanno, Italia.) I am the second son of Herman Vincent Nanna Jr. who was born 1932 in Hollister California. My Grandfather was a Santa Cruz Police Officer. My Great-Grandfather, Gustavo Nanna worked at the cement plant in Davenport and lived with his wife Maria on Garden St., Santa Cruz in the 1950s and 60s.

Gusatvo was also from Fivizanno, however; (for some unknown reason) he was not deemed to be an Italian citizen. Of coarse, this is a matter of interest to me and I am still investigating. A possibility is that Nanna was not his real surname, rather a Catholic name given to him as a newly converted immigrant.
Today, my wife and I live in Alexandria, Louisiana (located near the center of the State). My wife is from Brazil (Brasileira, della estado de Parana, a cidade de Curitiba) and speaks fluent Portugues. I do enjoy the colloquial Italian expressions in your book -che bello- they are so much like Portuguese from the south of Brazil. By the way nice touch with the off-color Italian expressions. I think that you are making a statement here.


BTW: Do you remember the Locatelli's Mahia ranch just up the road from the CHP office…. off of Soquel Ave. (I can't remember the name of the street).Old man Locatelli had the best cherries and apricots this side of heaven.


Tchau,

Michael Nanna

---------------------------------

IVANO FURTHER SAYS:

My credentials for being born at the Old Santa Cruz Hospital are recorded in "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast), Page 3:

"I was born Ivano Franco Comelli on April 19, 1937, at the old Santa Cruz Hospital on Soquel Avenue. (Presently, this is the site of the Branciforte Plaza.) Dr. Norman R. Sullivan was the doctor in charge, and it was he who suggested the name Ivano [ee vah no] to my mother.)

Also, please visit the La Nostra Costa Website:

www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com

LIFE IS A BEACH

SANTA CRUZ BEACH C. 1945 (WHERE THE PROS AND OTHERS PLAY VOLLYBALL TODAY) FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ELIO "BEBO' RODONI, GIOVANNI PRIMO (JOHN) COMELLI, ME (IVANO COMELLI), MY MOTHER VALENTINA COMELLI (DIRECTLY BEHIND ME) LAURA NERI (BESIDE ME) AND HER MOTHER ELVIRA NERI.


IVANO SAYS: THE ABOVE PHOTO WAS SENT TO ME BY LAURA (NERI) GULARTE ALONG WITH THE FOLLOWING LETTER:

"Dear Ivano:
My name is Laura Neri Gularte. My parents were Quinto and Elvira Neri. I am "LaNorma's"cousin. Going through some old photos, I came across the picture I am sending you, taken at the Santa Cruz Beach. It is Elio Rodoni, your brother John, you, your mom, myself and my mother. I don't know what year it was taken, however; I'm thinking sometime in the middle 1940s. Norma thought you might enjoy having it. I do remember your mom often picking us up to go to the beach. (Ed: Probably in the "Old Carrettone".) Norma and I had a great time going over these old pictures.

I have your book and have enjoyed reading it.

Laura Neri Gularte

Thanks Laura. I really appreciate you sending me the photo and letter. Life was really a "beach" back then.....or was it? Judging by the expressions on "Bebo's" and my face we were wishing to be elsewhere. BTW: The other photo was also taken at Cowell's Beach circa 1957. Sitting from left to right: Bruce Hansen and Jim Ceragioli. Standing left to right "Charles Atlas" and Jerrill (The Old Professor) Kerrick. ('clicca on foto for enlarged image.)

'Con Un Bacin D'Mor Ivano

DREAM INN OF SANTA CRUZ

PHOTO: THE DREAM INN SITTING ADJACENT TO COWELL'S BEACH SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA. (http://www.expedia.com/).

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IVANO SAYS: THE FORMER DREAM INN, THEN THE COAST SANTA CRUZ HOTEL, AND NOW THE DREAM INN ONCE AGAIN, IS THE SUBJECT OF A VERY INTERESTING STORY ABOUT IT'S ORIGINAL OWNER, BRADLY MALCOM McDONALD SENT TO ME BY GINO 'D'BAFFI' CAMPIONI.

In May of 1967 when I joined the Church, I was interviewed by Bishop Bradley Malcolm McDonald. He was a wonderful and very kind man. He always walked with crutches, as he had a leg ailment, and doctors did not dare do surgery, as he was a hemophiliac, and might not survive the operation.

He faithfully continued to serve in the Church, but with much pain.

At one time he had owned a night club in Capitola, but when he first joined the Church, he decided that such a business was not appropriate. He sold that place, and later had a hotel built on West Cliff Drive, near the Sisters' Hospital. He called the hotel, "Dream Inn". At the East end of the hotel was the "Twelve Winds Dining Room".

On a few occasions I enjoyed the wonderful food at the dining room with new friends I found in the Church. Sometimes I took the young missionaries there.

When I had to move to Oregon, I lost track of all those people. In 1992 I returned to Santa Cruz for the 40th reunion of my high school class. On the Sunday that I was there, I attended church services in my first meeting house, the Santa Cruz Ward building, (now the Santa Cruz Stake Center on Elk St.).

Spotting Bishop McDonald at the far end of the chapel I waved to him, and he waved back. He apologized for not having time to stop and chat, then ran to his next appointment! I learned that he had been to the Mayo Clinic, and a method had been found for safely doing his needed surgery. He no longer needed crutches. I was so thankful to know that.

The last time I saw him was about 10 years ago. I was then serving as the 2nd counselor to the Monmouth Stake Sunday School President, and was invited to accompany him to visit the Lincoln City Ward near the ocean.

This ward frequently has more visitors than regular members, due to its proximity to the beach and various places of amusements. When the teacher asked all visitors to introduce themselves, I found that there were three from Santa Cruz. Brad McDonald, now a Stake President, his good wife Bea, and myself. We had a short but fond renewal of friendship.

The McDonalds now live somewhere near Seattle, and continue to serve in the Church.

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Saluti, Gino

FIGLIO DELLA COSTA - JOE BERTOLI

FIGLIO DELLA COSTA - JOE BERTOLI

Joseph Bertoli passed away January 27, 2009 at his home in Santa Cruz surrounded by his loving family. He was 88 years old.
Joe was born in Santa Cruz on January 4, 1921, the son of Joseph and Rosa Bertoli. He grew up in Santa Cruz and was a graduate of Santa Cruz High School. As a young man he worked at Salz Tannery and later worked for the City of Santa Cruz in the sanitation department. For many years Joe has also owned and operated a gardening and landscape business for which he was well known and will be missed by many.
He was a member of the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, Marconi Club and Sons of Italy. His family characterized him as a hardworking man who was a very devoted husband and father. He was very fond of his dogs and in his spare time enjoyed hunting for mushrooms.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Virginia Bertoli of Santa Cruz; daughter, Sharon Bertoli of Jackson, CA; brother, Natale Bertoli and his wife Emma of Santa Cruz; sisters, Elvira Nance of Roseburg, OR and Gemma Locatelli of Santa Cruz; sisters-in-law, Lena Silva of Santa Cruz and Mary Locatelli of Los Gatos; He is also survived by three godsons, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz, CA Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 10:00 am. A vigil service will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA, Monday February 2, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Visitation will be at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Monday from 1:00 pm until service time and at Holy Cross Church on Tuesday from 9:15 until service time. Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Santa Cruz, CA
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 or to your favorite charity.
Published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on 1/30/2009

Ivano says: Joe was born about the same time as another Joe: my uncle: Joe Gemignani. He and his wife Virginia were very good friends of the Gemignanis. In the mid -1970s, my uncle was President of the Italian Catholic Federation Branch in Santa Cruz. I remember Joe Bertoli as being part of the fun loving group that attended the ICF parties at the old Holy Cross Hall. Many a good time was had by all. Big Joe was always friendly, greeting everyone with a big smile on his face and extending is hand , offering a very firm handshake. He was always proud of having worked with the Sanatation Department in Santa Cruz. When I would ask Joe what he did for a living, he would respond by saying: "I'm just an old Garbage Man, Ivano". To those of us who knew Joe, he certainly was much more than that.

Addio Joe Bertoli. Until we meet again across "Il Ultimo Ponte".

UPDATE ON CAMERON BY MARVIN DEL CHIARO

Marvin Del Chiaro (in his official Roaring Camp Conductor's Uniform), wife Elaine and little Cameron. (Photo courtesy of Marvin Del Chairo).

Hi everyone, I think most of you know that our grandson Cameron, now six years old, injured his eye late in December, 2006.He's been undergoing numerous eye surgeries over the past two years, and we are grateful that he has not lost his eye, so far; his sight has not been restored, but we are also grateful that he can detect something moving (much like you would detect if you had your eyes closed on a sunny day, and some object crossed your field of vision). He plays a great game of soccer, and finished his first year in Little League T-Ball. Recently, it became obvious that he was also having difficulty breathing through his nose, and his doctors could not specifically determine if he was born that way, or if the fall also damaged his nasal septum. This morning, Cameron underwent a rather lengthy surgical procedure at Stanford Medical Center's Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, to correct the problem; the surgeon (the head of pediatric surgery) said that the septum was definitely damaged by the fall, and he was able to reconstruct/repair the damage. He's home, resting well, and now the challenge is to keep him quiet for a month; he can walk around, but no physical activity.............which is like asking a Brahma bull not to buck. Please join me in praying for Cameron to listen to his parents............... Let me take this opportunity, on my, Elaine's and all the family's behalf, to personally thank you all for your concern, prayers, good wishes, and encouragement during these past two years. God Bless You all. Marv

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The above is a recent photo of Marv taken in Capitola, soon after he attended the Porter Memorial Library Presentation in Soquel. Marv failed to mention it, however, he has just undergone major surgery himself.

Marv is the one on your right (without his official conductor's uniform.) Also included in the photo (l-r): Sgt. Peter Graves (SJPD Retired), his wife Vera, Ivano,

Dolores Contreras (SJPD Retired) and Marv. (Photo courtesy of Sgt. Peter Graves.)

MRS. HELEN SONNEBORN'S CITIZENSHIP CLASS - 1945

(Please 'clicca" on newspaper article for enlarged image. Then this very special article will become very readable.)



MRS. HELEN SONNEBORN taught many of the Italians (and others) 'su per la costa' about our Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and other important documents and historical events pertaining to theUnited States of America. The Italians loved her and much of their success of becoming U.S. Citizens they attributed to their much admired teacher.


IN 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' (P. 225) I WRITE: "While Bronco was telling his stories Valentina was having a real good time. She was very happy that she had passed her examination. This was the only time that I would ever see Valentina even halfway intoxicated. She had had quite a few drinks and was singing and dancing. This was indeed unusual. The Valentina I knew usually did not drink and was quite the serious lady."*

AFTER READING the above article everything (for me) falls into place. The party at 'Serafina's" must have come at the end of a very long day of celebrating. No wonder Valentina was "halfway intoxicated".


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*Copyrighted by Ivano Franco Comelli --as it appears in "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast), A Family's Journey To and From The North Coast Of Santa Cruz, CA. (1923-1983) published by Authorhouse 2006. Please visit Ivano's website: http://www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com/

LA NOSTRA COSTA HISTORICAL DOCUMENT

IN MY BOOK 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' I WRITE ABOUT A PARTY THAT WAS HELD AT 'SERAFINA'S' (BELTRAMI'S) 'SU PER LA COSTA' TO CELEBRATE MY MOTHER VALENTINA BECOMING A UNITED STATES CITIZEN CIRCA 1945-46 (PGS. 223-224). LaNORMA SENT ME THE NEWSPAPER CLIPPING BELOW. IT LOOKS LIKE VALENTINA HAD A FEW FRIENDS WHO MADE THE GRADE WITH HER . CHECK OUT THE NAMES AND OLD ADDRESSES LISTED. THIS SHOULD BRING BACK MANY FOND MEMORIES TO FAMILY MEMBERS. SEMPRE AVANTI AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.





'CLICCA' ON NEWPAPER CLIPPING TO VIEW ENLARGED IMAGE.

THANK YOU PORTER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

LINA BRESSANI GEMIGNANI. THE PHOTO THAT WON THE HEART OF 'UN FIGLIO DI FERRO' - C.1947

THANKS TO THE PORTER MEMORIAL LIBRARY AND STAFF. IT WAS A GREAT EVENT WITH MANY NEW FRIENDS (AS WELL AS SOME FAMILIER FRIENDS) OF "LA NOSTRA COSTA" ATTENDING. WHAT A GREAT GROUP.

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO MY AUNT LINA BRESSANI GEMIGNANI FOR HELPING ME TELL HER STORY OF BEING A GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR IN WWII AND HER AMAZING STORY ON HOW SHE CAME TO AMERICA AND MARRIED MY UNCLE JOE GEMIGNANI (UN FIGLIO DI FERRO). AS I WRITE IN 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' LINA AND JOE'S STORY IS ONE FOR THE BOOKS (AND PERHAPS THE SCREEN).

THE OLD RANCERE E TRE BELLE DONNE DELLA COSTA. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ANGIE BELTRAMI, FLORA BARGIACCHI

ANECITO AND LaNORMA. (Photo courtesy of Sgt. Peter Graves, SJPD Retired)

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2009 EVERYBODY

BRONCO AND VALENTINA E FAMIGLIA- ' SU PER LA COSTA'- C. 1945

(PHOTO: LA NOSTRA COSTA PHOTO ARCHIVES)

Ivano Comelli is the author of "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast), A Family's Journey to and From the North Coast of Santa Cruz, California. He will be appearing on Jan 14, 2009, at 10:30 AM, at the Porter Memorial Library, 3050 Porter Street, downtown Soquel across from the U.S. Post Office. Join Ivano as he will recreate (in his guise as the 'Old Rancere') true events as recorded in

"La Nostra Costa". Hope to see you there.

Also visit Ivano's website at: http://www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com/

THE PORTER MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY - SOQUEL, CA

"Our Gang" - Bonny Doon (c. 1938) - Left to Right: Gianni Comelli, Guiliano Dughi, Reno Cantarutti, Felicino Taurian and Freddie Moro. In front (as always) "Il Diavolino" (Ivano).

IVANO SAYS: "THE OLD RANCERE" WILL BE MAKING A PRESENTATION AT THE PORTER MEMORIAL LIBRARY ON JANUARY 14, 2009 AT 10:30 AM.

Below is a bit of history relating to the Library which is posted on its website:

http://www.portermlb.org/

Brief History of the Porter Memorial Public Library
The story of the Porter Memorial Library begins in the year 1912. A group of Soquel women, calling themselves the Soquel Ladies Improvement Club, decided that the town needed a public library. They approached William and Mary Porter Sesnon, long time residents of the area, to donate a piece of land in Soquel for the library. An agreement was reached that the ladies would raise the money for the building and the Sesnons would donate the land and their own architects (Ward and Bome of San Francisco, who had designed the Sesnon house now on the campus of Cabrillo College) to design the building.
The money was raised, the land was donated and the building began. On October 19, 1912, the cornerstone was laid, and in January 1913, the doors of the Soquel Memorial Public Library opened to the public. The building was named the Porter Memorial Public Library in honor of Benjamin and Kate Porter, the parents of Mary Porter Sesnon.
The building was truly a community effort. Even children helped. All of the stones for the large stone fireplace were carried from Soquel Creek by the Soquel Elementary School children.
The flagpole that stands in front of the ibrary bears a plaque dedicated to Nora Angell, the secretary of the Ladies Improvement Club who was the driving force behind the movement to build the Library.
The Library has remained open since its beginning in 1913, except for brief periods following the floods of 1955 and 1982 and the earthquake of 1989. But something very important happened in 1978. With the passage of Proposition 13, the County decided it could no longer afford to offer library services in Soquel. Mona Blackholm, a Soquel resident, approached County officials with the 1912 agreement between the Sesnons and Santa Cruz County. It stated that that the land and building were being given to the County only to be operated as a Public Library. Armed with this agreement and backed by a group of volunteers, Mona convinced the County to turn the operation of the Library over to the volunteers, now known as the Porter Memorial Library Board. Many people offered their time to serve as librarians or help in other ways with Library operation. The result is that the Library is open and flourishing today due to the same kind of community spirit that built it in 1912.
In 1992, the Santa Cruz County Historical Trust awarded the building landmark status and the blue oval plaque stating this is proudly displayed next to the entrance.
In 1996, Norman Angell, Nora’s son, willed monies from his estate to the Porter Memorial Library and to the Soquel Historical Society with the hope that together these two groups could develop a Soquel Museum. With this money, the Library has been refurbished to allow a room for a display of Soquel’s history. We have Mr. Angell to thank for the new, fresh look and for the beautiful furnishings we have in the Library today.
When looking back at its history, people have often called this building “The Little Library That Could.” It is because of the many people who wished to see a library built and to continue offering library services to the many people of Soquel, that the Porter Memorial Library is here and serving us today.

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The Library is located at 3050 Porter Street in downtown Soquel (across the street from the U.S. Post Office). The telephone number for the Library is 831-475-3326.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR A TUTTI!

FIGLIA DELLA COSTA - NORA (FISTOLERA) DELLA SANTINA

THE BELOW REMEMBRANCE APPEARED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL,
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ :

Services will be held on Tuesday for Nora Della Santina who passed away in Santa Cruz on December 4, 2008. Born in Santa Cruz, she would have celebrated her 101st birthday on December 23rd.
Born to Paul and Barbara Fistolera, her father was a dairyman on the north coast, and as a youngster, Nora was raised on the Yellow Bank Dairy and Swanton and later in Knights Landing near Sacramento. Following her marriage, many of her years were spent residing in Laguna and New Town.
She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who enjoyed the times shared with her family and her blessings of long life.
She is survived by her sons, Rico and Paul Della Santina of Santa Cruz, and was preceded in death by her husband, Domenico Della Santina, and her son, Louie Della Santina and her first grandchild, Rick. Nora also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Elaine, Fred, Mark, Gina, Brenda, Natalie, Nicole and great grandchildren, Katie, Garrett, Jennifer, and Clark.
One of six sisters, she was preceded in death by four siblings and is survived by her sister, Lena Shaw of Santa Cruz.
Services will be held on Tuesday, December 9, at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel in Santa Cruz, beginning at 1 o'clock p.m.
A private committal will be held at the Holy Cross Mausoleum in Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers contributions to your favorite charity are preferred.
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IVANO SAYS:

Nora Della Santina was a close and dear friend of my mother, Valentina.

On page 252 in “La Nostra Costa” (Our Coast), I included the following endnote which referred to one of Nora’s sisters, Zelda (Fistolera) Ceragioli:

“Lea (Grossi) Lambert, the daughter of Settimo and Inez (Fistolera) Grossi, has reminded me that there were six Fistolera sisters: Inez, Winnie (Giraudo), Nora (Della Santina), Zelda, Vivian (Rodoni) and Lena (Shaw). Her grandparents, Paul and Barbara Fistolera had a rancio in Swanton. Later Lea lived on a ranch with her father and mother, just north of Laguna.”

I also refer to Nora on page 111 in reference to the purchase of the Davenport Bakery (later the Miramar and now the Whale Street Bakery):

“…………….. the Caiocca’s sold their interest in the business to Dominico Della Santina and his wife Nora (Fistolera). Dominico, who was better known by the coastal Italians as “Lambari”, and Nora had two sons, Louis and Rico”.

Actually I was in error when I wrote that the Della Santina’s had only two sons. In fact they had three sons. Paul Della Santina was a late arrival “su per la costa”. Dominico and Nora later sold the Bakery to Mac and Evelyn Morelli of Davenport.

Addio Nora. Until we meet again across Il Ultimo Ponte .

PRESENTATION IN SOQUEL, CA - JAN 14, 2009

(CLICCA ON PHOTOS FOR ENLARGED IMAGE)

IVANO SAYS: THE 'OLD RANCERE' HAS BEEN INVITED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION AT THE PORTER MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY IN SOQUEL ON

WEDNSDAY, JAN. 14, 2009,
AT 10:30AM. I WILL BE PUBLISHING MORE DETAILS AS WE NEAR THE DATE OF THE EVENT.




IN THE MEANTIME I AM POSTING AN E-MAIL I RECEIVED FROM PROF. DERRILL KERRICK. IN IT HE REMINDS ME THAT SOQUEL HAD A NUMBER OF ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS AROUND THE TURN OF THE LAST CENTURY. HIS GRANDMOTHER MARIA (MARY) BERGAZZI KERRICK WAS ONE OF THEM. THE HISTORY OF THE ITALIANS IN GLEN HAVEN (NOW SOQUEL) IS RECORDED IN THE BOOK: "OH, THAT REMINDS ME" BY PHYLLIS BERTORELLI PATTEN AND EDITED BY ELIZABETH SPEDDING CALCIANO.







Ivano: As I promised (long ago) I finally got around to photocopying (for you) the book "Oh That Reminds Me" by Phyllis Bertorelli Patten. It was published in 1969. It is all about the early (ca. 1900) Italian immigrants in the Glen Haven area near Soquel. Although it is not eloquently written it is a nice addition to the overall history of Italian immigrants in the Santa Cruz area. This is where my grandma Mary's parents settled (ca. > 1885)...Mary was born in 1890...she had four brothers. There are photos of young Mary in the book and stories and pictures of her parents and brothers. The photocopy is not the greatest (it is a copy of a copy) but it is readable. After you read it, I think it would be a nice addition to the blagga. I know of one of Phyllis' relatives (somewhat younger than me) who might contribute to the blagga.
Attached are a couple of pictures I scanned from the book "Oh That Reminds Me". In the lumberjack photo my great-great grandfather is #5. In the other my grandma Mary is labeled "Mary".Sempre Avanti,
derrill