Vancouver's Shoeshine Boys - latest success!

This fascinating social history is the story of the Italian immigrants who pioneered Vancouver's shoe shine parlour business circa 1906- 1986.

Published in Montreal by Cusmano Books, the book features interviews with 20 former shoe shine aficionados. Most of these young entrepreneurs, now in their 70s and 80s, worked after school, weekends and summer holidays earning money which in many cases was turned over to their parents to help with family's finances.

PREVIEW INTRODUCTION

Pick up a copy today, only $25

The books are available at Sophia Books, 450 W. Hastings, People's Coop Bookstore, 1391 Commercial Drive and the Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver.

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ABOUT RAYMOND CULOS

Raymond Culos is recognized as the foremost chronicler of the history of Vancouver’s Italian community. He has published four books and written many magazine articles on local pioneer and contemporary Italians circa 1900 - 2008. From this Home page you can access information about this passionately Canadian-Italian, his publications and current projects >>>>read more about this

RAY CULOS: Italian-Canadian of 2005

"On behalf of the Confratellanza I take great pleasure in announcing that Raymond Culos is the Italian-Canadian of the Year for 2005. Ray is a rare breed of Canadian-Italian. As a third-generation member of the Confratellanza via the Sons of Italy Society, he represents a direct link with the pioneers who established Vancouver’s first incorporated Italian society 100-years ago." >>>>read more about this

PUBLICATIONS

Volume I of Vancouver's Society of Italians by Raymond Culos was published by Harbour Publishing (1998). It was followed in 2002 by volume II and in 2006 by volume III. In 2008, he co-authored Britannia Remembers: 100 years of achievement, with Clive Cocking. In addition, several articles on the social and contemporary history of the Italian community and its members have appeared in a number of magazines. >>>> read more about this

NONNO arrived in Vancouver in 1907

Photo of Pietro Culos and his children taken in Vancouver,circa 1912 >>>> see more pictures

AWARDS

In 2000, "Presented to Ray Culos in appreciation and recognition for the unique contribution he has made, as an historian, to the preservation of the history of our community." Joe Finamore, President, Italian Cultural Centre >>>> read more about this