Paul Luvera Journal

One of Dad's typed reports of his experiences as a boy and young man involved his injury while working in the coal mine. Here's what he said about that: "My father Nicola, my brothers Salvatore, and Consolato and myself worked for the International Coal and Coke Limited company in Coleman, Alberta.Once I was injured while I was working. Small steel cars were used in the operation that carried three tons of coal each, with ten cars to a train. When the…

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When the miners went on strike, Dad and his friend Rocco decided to hop a box car to another town to look for work until the strike was over. Here’s his account of what happened when he got home after the strike ended. This was about 1917. "After I got home I realized Salvatore was missing. I said "Where is Salvatore?" Mother said that he wanted a change and that he is now in Edmonton, Alberta. So at home now…

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Both of my parents were of immigrant families in America. Neither had more then a modest grade school education. Dad lied about his age, left school and went to work at 15 years old in the coal mines of Coleman, Alberta for the International Coal and Coke Ltd company. Each miner was given a metal number they wore around their neck to identify them in case of injury or death and to indicate whether they were in the mine or…

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Maybe it's my age, but I seem to be reporting on a lot of people who have died over the past few weeks. Today I'd like to share information about my maternal grandmother Marija Babarovich who died on August 5th, 1953 and whose anniversary of death is a few days away. She died the year  I graduated from high school in Anacortes, Washington.Her life story is one of great courage and sacrifice involving immigration to America while not being able to speak English….

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Ten years ago, on an early Friday morning, July 7th2000, my mother Mary Thelma Babarovich, died in her sleep at the San Juan Care Center. Her death was not unexpected. After all, she was born on December 28, 1905 and was ninety four years old when she died. She had been in failing health for some time. Her passing was, in fact, a personal blessing to her as she had been ready to meet her maker for some time.  My sisters,…

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My grandfather, Nicola Luvera died in Anacortes on Independence Day, July 4, 1956 after living more then ninety years. His story is one of courage and determination. After working in a slaughter house in Italy for twenty cents a day he decided to try to find a better life for his family in America. He managed to borrow money from relatives to sail to the "new world" where his relatives had found work. In 1902, he left and made his way to Montreal, Canada…

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My sister, Phyllis Ennes has created a book of recipe’s using our mother Mary Babarovich Luvera's collection, Mary Luvera's Kitchen. It was a family labor of love involving my sister Anita Luvera Mayer and others including Phyllis's two daughters, Dorothy Ennes and Martha Ennes,  my daughter Susan  Chiabai and even my son Nick Luvera.  There was a very limited printing of the book intended for the family primarily, but there are some extra copies available. It may not be of interest to…

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My father in law, Hollis Barnett died on March 22nd 1990. He was a unique and wonderful man. You can read about his extraordinary wife Betty Barnett and more about this couple who I grew to love very much.  https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2009/12/betty-and-hollis-barnett.html.html  On the anniversary of Hollis's death I offer these remembrances. Hollis Hall Barnett died in Puyallup, Washington on March 22, 1990 at the age of 83. Hollis  was born in Buckley, Washington on May 3, 1907 and spent his younger years at Mt. Rainier National Park…

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Harwood "Bill Bannister died Tuesday February 9th. He was 95 years old and my former law partner as well as my mentor. Bill had been in a major Seattle law firm and he and his attorney wife Nancy, decided to move to Skagit County. He ran for county prosecutor in 1948 and always said how thankful he was that he lost the race because it gave him free publicity and he wouldn’t have liked the job had he won. He…

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Elizabeth (Betty) Catherine Devitt, was born December 5, 1910 in Butte,Montana and died December 20, 1995 in Puyallup. She was my mother in law. Her children included my wife, Lita, Devitt (deceased) Hollis, Barbara and Monica.  She was a very remarkable woman in so many respects. She was also someone for whom I had a great deal of admiration, respect and love.  Betty's parents were Merritt John Devitt and Elizabeth McCarthy Devitt. She was baptized at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Butte. She had a brother Jack…

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