|
Welcome to an adventure to discover the roots of the DELLEVI family, the search inspired and dedicated to the memory of my father, Edouard Dolor Dellevi a.k.a. "Papa D" (13/OCT/1930 - 05/JUN/2004).
Throughout his life, Edouard was well known as a cosmopolitan-flavoured "bon vivant" West Indian, proud of his native Caribbean and adopted Canadian heritage.
He was born in Grande Rivière, St. David, Trinidad, West Indies to father André Dellevi (a.k.a. Pappi, my paternal namesake) and mother Gabrielle Ballet, (a.k.a. Mammi) who hailed from up the Caribbean archipelagic chain in the island of Martinique, Antilles Française. His parents had re-settled in Trinidad for a time, but moved back from whence they came, where the DELLEVI clan has strong roots linked with Carbet and Morne-Vert locales in Martinique. A sense of romantic nostalgia nurtured from an absence for his home-land as well as disenchantment with the disreputable dealings of certain shop-keeper merchants, usurping land in lieu of over-played dishonourable credit-trusting, prompted a premature return to Martinique.
Edouard's education was schooled mostly during his formative years growing up in Martinique, and he learnt to communicate in three languages. French, French Créole Patois (native tongues) and English (learnt in T&T). His self-edification was further nurtured and enhanced by extensive travel the world over.
Edouard migrated back to Trinidad in the 1950's when he was a young man, yearning to re-discover the land of his birth and make his own way. He left a strict upbringing, growing up with a reformed Roman Catholic father who became a Seventh Day Adventist and a Roman Catholic mother.
Edouard learnt the skilled-trades of a cobbler as an apprentice under the tutelage of his father. As young children, he and his sister learnt to play the harmonica from a German Military Soldier stationed in Martinique, as Occupied France was under the Boot-Strap of Nazi-led Vichy Regime. They both became well-versed in playing the musical instrument.
In T&T, he developed a well-known career in the Civil Aviation/Transportation Industry, where he excelled.
Edouard's siblings are Alice, Suzette, and Germaine.
Edouard married Gladys Geneva Graham, my mother, who was born in Tabaquite, Trinidad, W.I. and had four children with her; Micheline Rosalie, André-Roger Henry, Antoine Wayne and Christiane Maria - Dellevi, all of whom were born in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, W.I.
More to come (later) on my mother's side of the family, but she was born to father Henry (my maternal namesake) Alexander Graham and mother Geneva but upon the death of her father, was adopted to be raised by Santica Rosalie Ache (a.k.a. Granny) and her husband Cecil Farrell (a.k.a. Gran'Pa).
Edouard migrated to Montréal, Québec, Canada in the late 1960's to continue his way. He was instrumental in managing the ever-popular T&T Pavilion at Expo '67 before re-joining the field he was experienced in, working and retiring from an excellent career within the Freight Forwarding industry. He travelled all over Canada, also living in Vancouver, British Columbia as well as Toronto, Ontario.
He grew estranged from his wife, Gladys and separated through never formally divorcing. His children migrated from the shores of Trinidad to join him in Canada in various stages in the 1970's once their secondary education was completed.
We only recently in this latter day discovered another sibling, born of Edouard and a very privately-kept secret liaison with Suzanne Caprarie-Melville. The shortened relationship resulted in a daughter, Nina Feifer born in Dorval, Quebec, Canada. Suzanne married Philip Feifer shortly thereafter and adopted Nina who was raised in that family.
The DELLEVI name, like many French Créoles of the Caribbean/West Indian tradition, has links to a Franco-Corsican history. Many were transplanted into the region during the colonial era.
|
