March 1, 1938 – January6,2025

With shattered hearts, we announce the passing of Augusto Bernardo in Kamloops, B.C., Canada. 

He was born in Aiello, Calabro, Cosenza, Italy during World War II and was 10 when he lost his father Giuseppe in 1948. He had to quit school to help his mother, Anna Maria, and five brothers manage the family farm. 

His teacher, Laura Cacace, kept privately tutoring him and his younger brother Cesare. She recognized how bright Augusto was and wanted to make sure he was well educated. 

When he was 17, he went to France to work with his brother Maurino in construction and later returned to Aiello to work on the farm. In the fall of 1957, he was collecting chestnuts in Aiello with his family when he struck up a conversation with a beautiful and feisty young woman named Lorenza. 

She quickly became the love of his life. They married in nearby Cleto, Cosenza on January 18, 1959, and started their family in October of that year with the birth of their first daughter Pina. 

Their hearts were broken when they lost her to illness on September 29, 1960, as Lorenza was expecting their second daughter. Donisa was born on January 2, 1961. 

In February 1962, Augusto, Lorenza and Donisa moved to McBride, B.C. where they created a strong circle of friends with fellow immigrants from Italy and many long-lasting friendships in the Robson Valley. 

Augusto’s first job in Canada was at a sawmill where he had a near-death experience in April 1963 when an axe fell on his head. He believed God saved him that day –with a broken nose being the only injury he suffered. 

He soon started working at CN and had that job until he retired from the railway 25 years later. Augusto and Lorenza welcomed their third daughter Gisella September 21, 1964. 

The fourth daughter, Marisa, was born November 29, 1969, but the family suffered tragedy again when she died only one day later. Marcella was born June 1, 1971, followed by Dino July 26, 1976. 

Augusto was not expecting that gift and felt blessed to finally have a son. The family moved to Kamloops in August 1979 joined by Lorenza’s sister Elisandrina Ambrosi who had been helping raise the children since December 1971 (deceased 2004). 

A few years later “Gus” started selling homegrown produce at the local farmer’s market where he became one of the most popular vendors for nearly 40 years. After leaving CN in 1989, Augusto continued working on his farm until 2015. 

He sold that land in Campbell Creek and scaled back (slightly) to tend to his bountiful gardens at home and Donisa’s house nearby, along with the gardens of many friends. In April 2016, he returned to Italy for the first time since leaving Calabria in 1962. 

During that two-week trip with Dino, they spent time with many relatives including his brother Guerino and his beloved teacher Laura who turned 100 that year. Augusto suffered the great loss of his soulmate when Lorenza passed away in May 2022. 

He is also predeceased by his mother Anna Maria (April 1975). His eldest brother Florindo (Giuseppina) died in 1968, Maurino (Emma) passed away in 1992 and Orlando (Anna deceased) died in 2015. 

Along with Donisa, Gisella, Marcella and Dino, Augusto is survived by his brothers Guerino (Pepina deceased) and Cesare (Ida deceased), numerous nephews and nieces in Italy, Germany and Canada, as well as many Godchildren. 

He leaves behind several dear friends who treasured his company, advice, wine and tomatoes. Our family would like to thank Dr. Servaas Swart and his team for their dedicated care of Augusto. 

We’re also grateful for all the staff at Royal Inland Hospital – especially the compassionate physicians, nurses, care aides and porters in the E.R., O.R., P.A.R. and on 6 South. 

Prayers will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kamloops. Father Derrick Cameron will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025. 

Entombment will follow in the Sage Valley Mausoleum at Hillside Cemetery. Donations can be made in honour and memory of Augusto to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation.

You may offer a message of condolence at Schoening Funeral Service for the Bombardier family.

• Date : 2025-01-06
• Location : Kamloops