Interview with Galileo Ricci

The is the second video interview with Galileo Ricci conducted in Italian.

Galileo was born on February 4, 1922 in Melfi, Potenza situated in the region of Basilicata, Italy. His parents were Giuseppina and Guido Ricci. Galileo spent seven years in Melfi, and then moved to Florence with his brother, Arnaldo, to go to school after an earthquake in 1929. Galileo’s father, Guido, travelled away from Italy 18 times before deciding to move the family to Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1934. Galileo’s other brother, Orazzio, stayed in Florence since he was of age to serve in the military; he was sent to fight in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935 under Mussolini’s rule. Galileo was 12 years old when he immigrated to Canada. He went to school and received a diploma in radio technology; however during World War II he could not find work because he was Italian. He finally found work at a German-owned ammunitions factory. Galileo was not affiliated with the Order Sons of Italy nor was he interned during the war; however, he was designated an enemy alien, was finger-printed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and forced to report monthly. Galileo is married to Antonia Maria (Ninetta) Ricci (née Frenza), who was also interviewed for this project as her father Leonardo Frenza was interned during the war. They have one son and two grandchildren.

Galileo Ricci passed away on September 15, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario. He is survived by his darling wife Ninetta and loving son.