Giovinazzo Family-George Giovinazzo came to
Canada first in 1906 and was joined by his wife Maria
Annunziata. They first went to Toronto, then Guelph
and Port Arthur before going to Lethbridge in 1909.
He worked in Lethbridge until 1913 and, then, for 10 years
in Cardiff. When this mine closed in 1923, he moved
to Luscar. The five children (Salvatori, Vincenso,
Dominic, Albert, Antonio, Victoria and Violonda) grew up
in Luscar (one daughter Rosa Maria) was left in
Italy. He did not encourage his sons to work in the
mines. Dominic owned the Palm Cafe and Confectionery
in Luscar with Mrs. Y. McVey. At this confectionary there
was also a beauty parlour
upstairs run by Rose Onyschuk and a billiard hall and
barbershop n the basement managed by Fred O'Reilley. He
was also the proprietor of the Luscar Meat Market. All the
children were taught to play musical instruments by
itinerant teachers. On the closure of the mine, they moved
their house, garage and greenhouse to Edmonton where Mr.
George Giovinazzo and his daughter Violonda lived.
See Lethbridge Region profile for other Giovinazzo family
information.
Peter Laghi-He was one of three miners who escaped
death on August 7th, 1942 when a torrent of water broke
through panel pillars from an old mine working in Cadomin
killing five miners. He testified in an inquiry.
Thomas Lornoda-He was the camp cook at Mercoal who on
November 11th, 1931 froze his ear to the wall of his tent;
uncertain whether this is an Italian name.
John Luccini-John was a pallbearer for the funeral
of Dan Spinazzi and the two other miners killed in the
methane gas explosion on the last working day in 1939.
Alex Marconi-Alex was killed at the Foothills mine when
pinned under a fall of coal; he was a bachelor.
J. Mossotti-This individual was a member of the Executive of
the 1917 Cross Club of Mountain Park (supporters of the
Hon. O.C.W. Cross).
H. Natta-This individual was a member of the Executive of the
1917 Cross Club of Mountain Park (supporters of the Hon.
O.C.W. Cross); uncertain whether this is an Italian name.
Max Ongaro-Max was a pallbearer for the funeral of
Dan Spinazzi and the two other miners killed in the
methane gas explosion on the last working day in 1939.
John Passamero-John was a pallbearer for the funeral
of Dan Spinazzi and the two other miners killed in the
methane gas explosion on the last working day in 1939.
Protti [first name unknown]-He played for the
Luscar Indians Intermediate Hockey Team in 1940.
Louis Raffin-Louis was a pallbearer for the funeral
of Dan Spinazzi and the two other miners killed in the
methane gas explosion on the last working day in 1939.
Louis moved to the mines in the Crowsnest Pass, followed by
his wife, Emilia, a few months later
with their newborn daughter. They lived in the small town
of Hillcrest. Mrs. Raffin (sister of Mrs. Dotto)
contributes to the Dotto
oral history in the Oral History Projects section of
this website.
Peter Raimondo-Peter worked at the Yellowhead Mine
and testified when Mine Manager Donald McKay was killed by
a fall of coal on April 11th, 1917.
Otto Sando-Otto was one of three men burned as a
result of a gas ignition at the mine in Mercoal; uncertain
whether this is an Italian name.
Dan Spinazzi-Dan was one of three men killed on the
last working day of 1939 when a methane gas explosion
trapped miners in the Cadomin mine; six others were
injured. He was a bachelor.
John Vadrasco-John was a pallbearer for the funeral
of Dan Spinazzi and the two other miners killed in the
methane gas explosion on the last working day in 1939.
Alex Valla-Alex appeared to work at Cadomin and is
quoted as saying that "they [the miners] made 56
cents a ton and many men made up to $4,000 per year."
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