Delprato, Joseph “Joe”

Joe Delprato was born Giuseppe Delprato on May 28, 1890 in Macugnaga, Italy.  Just shy of 17 years, Joe boarded the Pretorian and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia with $10 in his pocket on February 7, 1907. He sailed third class with his older brother Felice Delprato who was 18.  Both young men were headed for Sandon, B.C.  When he finally made his way to the Coalmont area, Joe worked for Columbia Coal & Coke Company and then Coalmont Collieries until 1930. After the big explosion he quit the mines but worked part time on odd jobs around Blakeburn and Coalmont for the company.  An accomplished violinist, Joe was a member of the Blakeburn band. He played the violin and saxophone, with Joe Vickers on drums, Bob Barrass on the piano and/or accordion, and Grant Stewart also playing saxophone.  On January 31, 1935, the Princeton Star reported that Joe discovered an avalanche that killed his placer mining partner, Joseph Danish, and Danish’s wife, Pearl.  In 1943 Joe co-owned the Delprato-Hayes Prospect on coal seams near the number 7 tram tower at Barnes Flat (there was a sawmill there owned by Frank Barnes).  When Joe became too ill to continue, he signed over his share to his friend, Vittoni and it became the Hayes-Vittoni Prospect until 1949.  On December 28, 1973, Joe passed away.  He had no living family in Canada but did leave behind two sisters and thirteen nieces and nephews, all in Italy except one in Switzerland.

Miner at Granite Creek for many years. He was associated with Walton Hugh Holmes Star Sub. 12/38 address Blakeburn, 12/44 address Coalmont, 12/45 address Tranquille, 12/46 address Coalmont. He came from trail this week. He will probably remain ?. He is a good violinist. May 24, 1918 Pr. Star July 5/1918 – at Penticton he assisted Billy Everton at Dom. Day Celebration.

You can hear Joe playing the violin in our Audio section. There is Danny Boy, Square Dance, Fiddle Music and Teddy Bears Picnic