Nicodemo Vincenzo Nick Joe Piccolo

Our family story begins with my great-grandfather Nicodemo Piccolo. It amazes our family to this date, the courage this man had to set out to a strange unknown country to make a better life for his family. We understand that he attempted to come to Canada many times but failed without the proper documents. Finally, in April 1929 his dream became a reality and he set off from Mammola, Reggio Calabria, Italy to board the Pennland, Red Star for Canada. Upon his arrival in Halifax he boarded a train and set off for Vancouver, British Columbia to take a position working for the CPR Railway. This journey set the way for his son and grandchildren to follow in the construction of British Columbia's CPR Railway as well as constructing many other well-known landmarks mainly in the Vancouver, Lower Mainland.

In 1953 Vincenzo Piccolo followed his father on an identical journey to Halifax. He too set off for Vancouver aboard the Olympia to work for the CN Railway, and traveled through most of British Columbia as well. Back in Italy he left behind a family of nine children that needed the financial support after suffering through the great depression and World War two. He left behind his oldest sons Giuseppe, Nicodemo and Salvatore to tend to the family and his farm, but in 1958 Giuseppe and Nicodemo were both old enough to partake on a journey of their own. They too left the small town of Mammola and Boarded the Queen Frederica at 4:00 pm in Messina on August 31, 1958. On September 9, 1958 at 8:30 am they finally set foot on Pier 21 and began their journey in Canada. Giuseppe Piccolo began working for a family run construction company, and later worked for 7years with CN Railway from Vancouver to Prince Rupert, BC. He then went on to work in forestry, heavy construction and as a concrete laborer until his retirement at 60 years in 2000. Nicodemo also entered into the construction field and to date (2004) is still working in constructing BC's largest concrete high-rises.

In the mid 1960's Giuseppe and Nicodemo returned to Mammola where they met their young wives and both decided to return and start their married lives in B.C. Giuseppe Married Angela Bruzzese in January 1964, and soon after had his first daughter Rita in 1964, then his son Enzo in 1968, and second daughter Marisa in 1973. Nicodemo married Carmela Agostino in March 1964 and had one son Vincenzo Piccolo in 1965.

In 1965 Vincenzo Piccolo returned to Italy and lived out the remaining years tending to his farm until he passed away on January 19, 1981. From 1964 and years that followed all but two of the siblings in Italy also immigrated to Canada and began families and many memorable memories.

Dedicated to our great-grandfather, grandfather, uncle and father. Thank you for your courage and dedication to your families. Much love.

Rita Piccolo Franco and the Piccolo Family.