Sam Giustra

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Sam Giustra was a familiar face at the Davedi Club where he volunteered for Friday lunches on a regular basis. He embodied the volunteer ethos of the Club, the selfless giving of the Italian community in outreach to the larger North Bay community.

Sam first joined the Club in the 1960s. “I came to Canada to find work. I originally worked in Sudbury but did not expect to be in such a place. Sudbury had no vegetation, it was all rocks in those days, it was black. (He laughed). I quickly relocated to North Bay. I had plenty of work and was happy to be here, despite missing my friends and family back in Italy.

“Being a Mason was a physically demanding job but I loved it. Unfortunately, I was involved in a serious work related injury, I fell 3 storeys through an elevator shaft landing on my feet! Despite this, I was able to raise a loving, caring, hardworking, successful family and this is what I am most satisfied with. I have a beautiful wife, Elisa Giustra, a son named Roberto and three daughters, Rosamaria, Daniela, and Sabrina, and 8 grandchildren, Braeden, Gabriela, Tyler, Michele, Nicolas, Cameron, Sam and Benjamin.”

 

Sandro was educated at Scollard Hall and Canadore College in North Bay and worked for Revenue Canada Agency for 36 years. During that time he volunteered for the Davedi as a Board member for more than 20 years, including Treasurer for 6 years. Since retirement he has been untiring in his efforts in cooperation with other volunteers. Cultural committee work includes 41 Italian cultural outreach events such as concerts with Zucchero, Rita Chiarelli and Domenic Mancuso. He takes the major responsibility for bingo fundraising to make these events possible. Ways and Means committee work includes Grape Stomping Festival, Anniversary Events and New Years Eve party. Sports committee work includes Golf Tournament facilitation. Friday Buffet Lunches are also part of his self selected responsibility. Finance committee work includes decision making about the business of the Club.

Why does Sandro continue volunteering for the Davedi Club for so long? He has a commitment to maintaining a proud Italian culture and to sharing that sense of family and friends he believes is fundamental to an Italian-inspired life. He gets great satisfaction from the camaraderie of the Davedi Club members, and doing practical things which make a difference.

Sandro is looking forward to future successful events. Every day he is available in the office to reserve the lovely Davedi Hall for wedding receptions and other social or business events.

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