Date
July 21, 2011
Maker
Columbus Centre
Accession#
ICEA2011.0065.0001
Interview With Roger Boccini Nincheri
Roger Boccini Nincheri was born in Florence, Italy, in 1935. His parents Elfie Iussa and Alberto Boccini emigrated to Vancouver before World War II, leaving Roger in Italy in the care of his paternal grandmother. He remained in Italy for the duration of World War II. Roger vividly recounts his early life in Italy during the war years, including bombings, and being forced to move to several locations in northern Italy to remain safe. In Canada his father, Alberto, was interned at Camp Petawawa for his involvement with the Vancouver-based Italian newspaper L’Eco Italo-Canadese. Alberto Boccini contracted tuberculosis while at Camp Petawawa and died shortly after his diagnosis. Elfie Boccini then moved to Montreal and married Gabriel Nincheri, son of artist Guido Nincheri, who was also interned at Camp Petawawa during World War II. Roger recounts the history of his biological father and also of the Nincheri family during and after World War II. This includes coverage of the life of Guido Nincheri and visual examples from the Studio Nincheri, as he discusses the inspiration for Guido’s art including the famous painting of Mussolini at the church of Notre Dame de la Defense in Montreal.
Roger Boccini Nincheri discusses how his parents met and their marriage. He then goes on to speak about their migration and life in Vancouver and how he was left behind in Italy with his grandmother.
Roger Boccini Nincheri speaks about his life in Italy living with his grandmother.
Roger Boccini Nincheri discusses his father’s life in Vancouver and his involvement with the Italian newspaper L’Eco. He then goes on to speak about his father’s arrest.
Roger Boccini Nincheri speaks about his father’s internment. He discusses how his father contracted tuberculosis in the camp which lead to his death. He then goes on to describe how his mother came to know Gabriele Nincheri, son of artist and internee Guido Nincheri, whom she would eventually marry.
Roger Boccini Nincheri continues to speak about his mother’s relationship with Gabriele Nincheri. He also speaks about leaving Italy for Montreal to join his family.
Roger Boccini Nincheri reflects on the internment of Italian and Japanese Canadians by the Canadian government during World War II.
Roger Boccini Nincheri continues his reflection on the internment period. He also goes on to describe how his mother never spoke about the experience after the war.
Roger Boccini Nincheri speaks at length about his step-grandfather Guido Nincheri, tracing his early life in Italy and his career in Montreal.
Roger Boccini Nincheri speaks about the arrest of Guido Nincheri in 1940.
Roger Boccini Nincheri speaks about how Guido Nincheri’s family survived during his absence.
Roger Boccini Nincheri speaks about Guido Nincheri’s release from camp, his move to the United States and Studio Nincheri.
In this clip Roger Boccini Nincheri speaks at length about the fresco featuring Mussolini which Guido Nincheri completed in the Church of the Madonna della Difesa.
Roger Boccini Nincheri reflects on the internment period and the lack of discussion around the subject.
