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     Home > People > Oral History Projects > Dante Alighieri Oral History Project >
     Giorgio W. & Norma Pocaterra > Transcript Summary

     Giorgio W. and Norma Pocaterra:  Oral History Transcript Summary

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Louis (Luigi)
Biamonte

Mike Biollo

Father Giovanni
Bonelli

Camillo Bridarolli

Mr. & Mrs. Henry
Butti

John Camarta

Domenico Chiarello

Joe Fabbri

Mario Grassi

Victor Losa

Filomena Michetti

Mrs. Mamie Meardi

Tony Nimis

Giorgio W. &
Norma Pocaterra

Mr. & Mrs. John
Segatti

Romano Tedesco &
Mrs. Irma Giacobbo

Angelo Toppano


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Mrs. Norma (Piper) Pocaterra

Part 1: 

  • George Pocaterra b.1882 in Rocette (sp?), Italy - a new town in which he was the first boy to be born
     

  • came from aristocratic background
     

  • father was a high executive in the textile industry in Ferrari, Italy
     

  • George wanted adventure in new land; at 20 years of age in 1903, arrived in Winnipeg
     

  • describes early life of George in Italy (very anecdotal); school in Berne, then Bradford, England to learn about wool for future at family-owned Manuficci-Rossi (sp?) Mills.
     

  • when George was on a train going back to Italy from his studies, he chanced to meet a Canadian clergyman & was able to help him with a language difficulty
     

  • George had already been enamored of Canada in his readings about it & now he had a contact & acquaintance there
     

  • in 1903 he went to visit Rev. Robert E. Spence in Glenborough, Manitoba (near Winnipeg) who got him a job on a large farm owned by the Steel brothers, Scotsmen.
     

  • but "where was the romance?", so George went off to the "Real West" - the Rocky Mountains, where he had the "real" life working on the Bar D Ranch in the High River area of Alberta (very entertaining retelling)
     

  • repeat of "Arizona Frank" tale that Giorgio mentioned in his speech
     

  • friendship with Walter Baker
     

  • went on horseback riding holiday to "virgin" land at the confluence of Highwood River, and Black & Sullivan creeks.  Thought it was paradise and wanted to settle there.
     

  • poker story
     

  • sent for cousin from Italy to join him

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