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Sunday, January 19, 2025
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Vincenzo Pugliese and Teresa Covelli
were married in Cellara, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy, in May 1946.
Their first daughter, Stella, was born in 1947 in Cellara. In
November 1950, the Pugliese family immigrated to Canada to join
Stella Sr., Vincenzo’s mother, who was already in Canada.
Stella Sr.’s husband had unfortunately been killed in a mine
accident in 1938. Vincenzo, Teresa and Stella landed on Pier 21
in Halifax. Later, they took the train to Abitibi County in the
province of Quebec. Vincenzo and his family arrived in a small
town called Malartic. It was a very cold county and they were surprised
by the large snow banks and snow falls.
Vincenzo got a job in the gold mine called “Malartic Gold
Mine” and worked there for 14 years. With time he began
a second job. He bought farm animals and sold the meat to grocery
chain stores. In November 1951, Adela was born and in September
1955, Eugenio was born.
In January 1958, Teresa got a job in the fruit and vegetable
department, in a supermarket called “The Economy Store”.
The children went to school, but, to continue their education,
the children had
to leave Malartic. In 1960, after an argument with nonna Stella,
Stella Jr. was able to pursue her education. Stella came to Windsor,
close to her relatives. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy
in Windsor in 1965.
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P12074 - The
original building of La Stella Supermarket, 1969.
Courtesy
of Stella
Occhinero |
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P12089 - Imported pasta isle at La Stella Supermarket. Courtesy
of Stella Occhinero |
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La Stella Supermarket today, 2005. Courtesy of Heather
Butt |
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| In September 1964, the Pugliese family
moved to Windsor to further their children’s future. The opportunities
in Malartic were very limited. That same year the family opened a
supermarket, together with Gino Maio, Vincenzo’s cousin. The
supermarket was called “M. and P. Supermarket”, located
at 910 Howard Ave. It was a family owned business. The supermarket
was doing very well – but the partnership was not. In August
1966, Vincenzo and his cousin, Gino, split up. Vincenzo started to
work at Chrysler’s. Stella Jr. graduated from Teacher’s
college and got a job in 1967. In 1969, Vincenzo and Stella Jr. opened
La Stella Supermarket at 948 Erie Street E. The name “La Stella” was
chosen because it sounded better than “La Teresa” and Stella
was the name of both Vincenzo’s mother and daughter.
Eugenio (Jimmy) Pugliese, Vincenzo’s son, competed in
bicycle races since the age of 11. In 1975, Eugenio was chosen among
six riders to represent Canada in the world races in France and
Switzerland.
In 1975, Stella got married and went to live in Italy. She has three
children: Maria Clara, Teresanna, and Saverio. Eugenio took over
the store. He became the manager of the supermarket and remains so
to this day. In 1983, Eugenio got married and his wife, Mary, began
to work at the store. Eugenio and Mary have five children: Teresa,
Natalia, Daniele, Vanessa and Vince Jr. The other sister, Adela, and
her husband, Rick, have six children: Jesse, Kory, Adam, Ricky, Aaron,
and Deanna.
Throughout the years to the present all the grandchildren helped
to operate this family business. Today the store is operated by some
family members and several employees. |
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The
opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada. |
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