FROM THE first interviews to the final edit, it has been eleven years since I began the research and writing of this book. During that time I have been helped by many people.
Besides the interviewees, many of whom invited me into their homes and shared their photographs and memories, I would like to single out a few people for special attention: John Whitelaw and Christine Fiorini Whitelaw for that fateful invitation to use the extra bedroom in their villa in Castiglione della Pescaia; Dick Bowen for saying, “Why not write a book about Italians?” and then for making sure it happened by being my driver, translator, dinner companion and confessor at home and in places all over British Columbia and Italy; Jean Barman for saying such a book should be written; Roderick Barman for introducing me to Felice Valle; Elio Cossarin for introducing me to Luciano Culos; Luciano for his know-ledge and understanding of the Italian immigrant story and his wife, Ivana, for devoting days of their time to us whenever we were in Italy; and Lorne Hammond, Stephen Hume and the late Chuck Davis for bailing me out on more than one occasion.
But there are so many others—friends, archivists, librarians, photographers, fellow lodge members, winemakers, culinary artists. This list in alphabetical order only scratches the surface: Duane Abel, Greg Arduini, Beth Bedard, Sarah Benson, Michele Bernardon, Jeanne Boyle, Glen Bugden, Judy Burridge, Anna Pia De Luca, Francis E. DeVito, Elizabeth Duckworth, Patrick Dunae, Mark Erickson, Paola Modotti Filippin, Karen Franchini, Dorothea Funk, Russell Fuoco, George Gall, Gina Gall, Barbara Girvin, Mary Giuliano, Nick Giuliano, Caelan Griffiths, Christopher Hanna, David Hill-Turner, Ariella DalFarra Hostetter, Thora Howell, Sharon Keen, John Kinnear, Caterina Edwards Loverso, Doris Luvisotto, Fred Luvisotto, Sheila Macdonald, Susan Mayse, Ron McIsaac, Faith Moosang, Julia Murray, the late Peggy Nicholls, Humbert Angelo Pace, Court Palsson, Danielle Rheaume, Linda Romanin, Barrie Sanford, Franco Sartor, Jane Sartor, Antonio Sedola, Maria Sedola, Lenore Socal, Jim Southern, Karen Southern, Marion Glasgow Spicher, Marie Stang, Pilar Vitacchio, the late Dr. Adam Waldie, Ann Walsh, John Walsh, Diane Wardle, David Waters, Bobbi Williamson and Betty Yon.
Hiro Boga read an early part of the manuscript, and Luciano Culos and Jean L. Wilson both read the entire manuscript. Their comments and encouragement are very much appreciated. Any remaining errors or misinterpretations are my responsibility alone.
Special thanks to the Creative Nonfiction Collective for listening year after year to excerpts and giving encouragement, to Barbara Czarnecki, copy editor extraordinaire, and to Scott McIntyre, Rob Sanders, Chris Labonte and Trena White for their professionalism and for welcoming me back to D&M Publishers.