George Bucciarelli honoured at 'Bucciarelliville' ceremony for good work especially for his 'best friends' the children

George Bucciarelli was honoured  in appreciation for the good work he had performed for Chapleau citizens especially the children at a ceremony led by Reeve Frank Edwards on November 2, 1947.

Mr. Bucciarelli was asked to attend at his property and was greeted by a large group of citizens and the Town Band.

Writing in his book 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario', Vince Crichton noted that Mr. Bucciarelli's "best friends were the children of Chapleau". 

A letter to Mr. Bucciarelli, signed by Reeve Frank Edwards expressed the community's sincere appreciation of the many improvements he had undertaken in Chapleau and for the spirit of citizenship that prompted him to make them available for the public pleasure and enjoyment. Particular tribute was paid for Bucciarelliville. The reeve commented from the letter at the ceremony.

The Chapleau Post reported more of a speech by Reeve Edwards based on the letter.

"The citizens of Chapleau desire to convey to you their very  sincere appreciation of the many improvement projects that you have undertaken in the district during the past years and for the spirit of citizenship that prompted you to make them available for public enjoymernt and pleasure.

"Today we in particulat desire to pay tribute to your effort in developing what we will always be known as BUCCIARELLIVILLE.

"Here out of the rugged bushland at considerable personal expense you are now in possession of of a splendid picnic grounds with bathing beach. Having made this pleasure spot available yo the public, the citizens of Chapleau unite in saying ; "We thank you Mr. Bucciarelli. We know that you desire much satisfaction in seeing the enjoyment the people -- particularly the young folk -- find in visiting your grounds".

"It is our earnest wish that you may enjoy many years of good health in order that may continue to witness the happiness that you have brought into the lives of others."

Mr. Bucciarelli, who had arrived in Chapleau circa 1910, and established a store, actually held the first picnic for the children on August 22, 1931, as the effects of the Great Depression were being felt. Vince Crichton called it a "brilliant idea" (which it was) and he added that "without a doubt was the biggest event of the year for kids."

The Chapleau Post reported that Mr. Bucciarelli had asked a small group of children if they would like to attend a picnic the next day at his farm. They liked the idea and 275 children showed up the next day. 

Needless to say Mr. Bucciarelli had to scurry to get rides and extra food for the occasion. But it all worked out successfully and the Bucciarelli Picnic began.

When I was growing up in Chapleau in the late 1940s and the 1950s, Bucciarelli's Beach was the place to go in the summer months. For years Chapleau High School ended its week long Grade Nine initiation activities with a wiener roast and dance there.

Frank Bucciarelli, Mr. Bucciarelli's nephew advised that in due course, "The "beach" had four small cottages, a dance hall with a juke box, and a small confectionery store open in the summer. It was also a great place to swim, complete with sandy area and diving board and became very popular. Frank also noted there was great blueberry picking in the bush near the beach."

George Bucciarelli was another of Chapleau's outstanding citizens. He died on January 6, 1967.

My thanks to Frank Bucciarelli as well as to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for lending me the Richard Brownlee papers. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau Legion branch sponsored 'Kiddies Picnic' at Bucciarelli's Beach just before school resumed in 1947

Just before school resumed in 1947, Branch Number 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion sponsored the 'Kiddies Picnic' at Bucciarelli's Beach, the Chapleau Post reported.

It proved to be a very popular event as "large crowds of children" gathered at the Legion Hall an hour before the convoy to the popular swimming area, established by George Bucciarelli, was scheduled to depart

"Being the last half day of summer freedom before settling down to the srious business of school, the picnic was popular. Promptly at 1:30 p.m., the kiddies were loaded in to trucks and cars and transported to Bucciarelli's lake where all sorts of fun had been arranged," the paper reported.

George Bucciarelli

The morning had been "cloudy and gloomy" but "Old Sun put in an appearance about noon and the afternoon was bright and sunny."

"Water sports were held under supervision and the kiddies had a wonderful time. Hot dogs, candy and ice cream were provided to wind up the afternoon and they were returned to town in time for supper."

After the Chapleau boys returned home from serving in Canada's armed forces in World War II, they were very actively involved in community life. 

In fact, in 1947, J.M. Shoup, the long time principal of Chapleau Public School, who had served in both World War I and II, in a speech to the Legion members told them they had a "duty to serve", and they did. Mr. Shoup was president of Branch 5 in 1947.

The picnic is just one example of many where the branch was either organizing an activity, or its members were involved.

Regent Theatre

Moving on to some other highlights from the Sept. 7, 1947, edition, Harvey Fortunato, the owner of Queens Taxi announced that his new headquarters was located next to the Regent Theatre. He would also have one car stationed at the Queens Hotel at all times for the convenience of the hotel patrons. (The Queens Hotel later became the Sportsman). He promised quick courteous service. Phone number was 335. 

The Sun Life Assurance Co. announced that Albert Evans its Chapleau district representative who had been with the company since 1942, had won membership each year in the company's Leader Production Club. His 1947 qualification was substantially higher than ever before  and established him as one of the leading life underwriters of Northern Ontario, and first in the North Bay territory, which included Chapleau.

Later Fitch's now site of Pentecostal Church

Gladys Fitch, the proprietor of Fitch's Quick Lunch said, "Clean home cooked meals at reasonable prices with courteous service. Fish and Chips  every Friday  -- to take out 30 cents per order --- yes, that's not a typo -- 30 cents per order.

When I was working as a newspaper reporter in the 1960s, in those years when there was great passenger train service on the CPR main line through Chapleau, I met several people, who had shopped at Fitch's. 

But, P.V. Wade, the legendary managing editor of the Star-Phoenix in Saskatoon told me when I was working there  that while travelling through Chapleau on a troop train during World War II, the troops would disembark and march over the old overhead bridge.

Their destination -- the liquor store on main street. Certain soldiers would be permitted to break ranks and go shopping. Mr. Wade had served as a captain in the Canadian Army, and was also assigned to the staff of General Dwight Eisenhower, as Canadian press attache,  but he remembered Chapleau -- the bridge and the liquor store.

The Chapleau Post also reported that the forest fire situation was back to normal again after a month of hot dry weather and numerous bush blazes.

And no. I don't recall if I attended the "Kiddies Picnic" in 1947. Most likely I did. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Bucciarelli's Beach established especially for Chapleau children "in spirit of citizenship"

Upon his arrival in Canada in 1902 from Italy, George Bucciarelli first worked at various jobs in several locations for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

By 1910, he was working in Chapleau and became fed up, so he caught a train for Sudbury, planning to return home to Italy. However, while in Sudbury, he decided to look at the price of lumber, bought a carload and had it shipped to Chapleau.

He used it to start his store on Lorne Street but for a time it was only open early in the morning and in the evening as Mr. Bucciarelli went back to work for the CPR in the shops.

The town was installing the municipal waterworks system, and he had built several rooms on his store which he rented to workers on the project. He also worked on that project.

In 1911, Mrs. Bucciarelli and their son Angelo arrived and Chapleau became home for them.

In due course, he improved the store and built a house and for a time had a second location in the uptown area.

By 1935, celebrating 25 years in business, Angelo had become the store manager, and they had become wholesale tobacconists and the agent for Canadian Oils Limited, supplying gasoline for the motor vehicles that were beginning to appear in Chapleau. 

Mr. Bucciarelli was spending a lot of his time at the farm he established on the Chapleau highway, and the picnics for children were started in 1931.  The area later became known as Bucciarelliville.

The picnics also included a show by "The Clowns" who were young men of Chapleau all attired for their role in entertaining the children.

In 1935, as a matter of interest, those working for Mr. Bucciarelli included Fred Barty, who the Chapleau Post described as the "1st Lieutenant", Emmett Brazel, Irene Godbout who later worked as head cashier at the Dominion store, Gertrude Roffey, Leslie Perfetto, Pat Frawley and John Ciuffreda.

According to the Chapleau Post, John looked after the "beverage" or "refreshment" room advising him that the writer would soon be there calling for "Two big jugs John!"

But Mr. Bucciarelli did not retire and pursue his own interests entirely. In fact, during the 1940s, he developed "Bucciarelli's Beach" for which he is likely best remembered by many Chapleauites.

After my column on the children's picnics, I received an email from Frank Bucciarelli, who arrived in Chapleau with his parents in 1953. 

Frank included the photos of his Uncle George and the beach area, likely taken in the summer of 1949 as the area was being completed.

Frank wrote: "The back of the pictures that I sent you are stamped January 16, 1950.  I believe that this is when they were printed in Sudbury; the pictures were taken in the summer time.  When we came to Canada in 1953 the beach, as far as I remember had been completed just a few years before."

The "beach" had four small cottages, a dance hall with a juke box, and a small confectionery store open in the summer. It was also a great place to swim, complete with sandy area and diving boardand became very popular. Frank also noted there was great blueberry picking in the bush near the beach.

Chapleau High School held its annual wiener roast there to end the Grade Nine initiation each September, and dances were held in the hall on Summer weekends.

Ian Macdonald advised that he once did an Elvis Presley impersonation at one dance, but he couldn't find the picture. Keep looking Ian. That would be priceless. 

Beverley (Swanson) Hamilton in an email reminded me that the only place where white cream soda was available in Chapleau, was at the beach confectionery store. I recalled it right away.

Former Chapleau resident Garry Remus wrote, "One of the things I liked about Bucciarelli's Beach was the opportunity, after swimming, to wander into the bush where there was a grand display of mayflowers. I have not found another chance to appreciate these beautiful growths since."

Writing in his book, "Pioneering in Northern Ontario" Vince Crichton noted that Mr. Bucciarelli's "best friends were the children of Chapleau". On November 2, 1947, Mr. Bucciarelli was asked to attend at his property and was greeted by a large group of citizens and the Town Band.

A letter to Mr. Bucciarelli, signed by Reeve Frank Edwards expressed the community's sincere appreciation of the many improvements he had undertaken in Chapleau and for the spirit of citizenship that prompted him to make them available for the public pleasure and enjoyment. Particular tribute was paid for Bucciarelliville.

"We thank you Mr. Bucciarelli. We know that you desire much satisfaction in seeing the enjoyment the people -- particularly the young folk -- find in visiting your grounds", the letter said in part.

George Bucciarelli died on January 6, 1967 at age 88. 

My most sincere thanks to Frank Bucciarelli for making the photos available. My email is mj.morris@live.ca