A static display has been set up at the Davedi Club to highlight the stories of local Italians who were interned during World War II.
Italo Gioia, born in Italy in 1889, he was married and working at the Canadian Pacific Railway before he was arrested and sent to Camp Petawawa in June of 1940.
See related: Italian Italo Gioia, interned in Camp Petawawa in 1940
Frank Scappatura moved from New York to North Bay before WWII, where he became the owner of the King George Hotel in North Bay which was located on Ferguson Street.
With the start of World War II, he and his brother Vincenzo Scappatura, were arrested and interned June 10, 1940. He was released from the camp on December 3, 1940 and his family members say he never wanted to speak of his experiences at the camp.
Their stories are displayed within the Davedi Club's Cultural Room.
The event is part of Italian Heritage Month which has been recognized in a proclamation by North Bay's Mayor Al McDonald.
To reflect on the internment of Italian Canadians in WW2 the Davedi Club has arranged a series of events from June 5 to June 12…documentary, static display, memorial stone, formal dinner and renewal celebration with a soccer tournament.
