Here is a photo of Francesca and Maria (right).

Maria was 87 years old and the younger sister of Francesca. They had younger brothers and sisters. The last son was born after their father was killed in an accident at work (he was electrocuted while repairing a power line). From being a reasonably well-to-do family they were plunged into abject poverty and the two elder sisters were placed with a convent quite a way from home, where they were schooled and taught a trade (machine-knitting). They returned home in their early twenties but war broke out and they were forced to take refuge in a barn, outside Ortona. When they returned to Ortona on New year's Day, 1944, their home had been destroyed and they went to live with an aunt in the basement flat where they continued to live for the next 65 years. During the time the Canadians were in Ortona, Maria and her family laundered shirts, cooked hot meals and generally made the troops feel welcome - they too had a brother at war and their mother prayed that he would find a family to "adopt" him as she adopted the Canadian boys. Maria and her sister never married and after their mother died, they continued to live in their tiny apartment, never being separated. Their door was always open to visitors - literally closed only on very cold or wet days, and they were the heart and soul of Piazza Plebiscito, where the Price of Peace monument is now installed. Of course, with the door open, it was easier for them to ensure the monument was always clean and with fresh flowers. I have never passed by that home and found it empty of visitors. The
> entrance is a monument of Canadian photos, letters and flags. The most touching are of Bob Fowler and it was heart-breaking to have to add to Francesca's distress by telling her of his disappearance. The funeral was proof of how much love and integrity this little lady showered on our community. The cathedral was packed with her friends and family, and many a tear was shed for the passing of a witness to one of WWII's most ferocious battles, but also to a figure who was loved and respected for her honesty and simplicity. Ambassador Himmelfarb sent a message of condolence and when it was read, the mourners broke into long applause. Maria will be missed by us all and we grieve for Francesca's loss as if it were our own. Our only consolation is that she did not suffer, but slipped quietly away in a few seconds, dying as modestly as she had lived. Bob, I had a funeral notice printed for Maria in the name of Canadian veterans and it has been posted around Ortona, as is traditional in Italy.

Mister Wendy Calderon, kindly advised the notice of the death of his Father Mister Seymour Bruce Albert, one more of the dwindling band of brothers of the 12th CAR (Three Rivers Regiment), who passed away on December 11, 2007 at the tender age of 85 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida due to complications from surgery. He was born February 26, 1922 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Being impacted by the war going on in Europe and particularly by the Dunkirk evacuation, he left home with a couple of friends for Montreal, Canada after leaving a note for his mother that he was heading to NYC for a Yankee ballgame. On November 20, 1940, he enlisted and proudly served in the 12th Army Tank Battalion (The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank)). He fought with the Regiment in Sicily and Italy and then eventually in North West Europe. Known by many names from Sy, Al, Prince and Bruce to his "A" Squadron buddies. He was buried on February 15, 2008 at Florida National Cemetery.

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Monsieur Wendy Calderon, nous avise du décès de son père Monsieur Seymour Bruce Albert, un autre de confrérie des camarades du 12th CAR (Three Rivers Regiment), qui est décédé le 11 décembre 2007 à l'age de 85 ans au Lakeland Regional Medical Center situé à Lakeland, Floride suite aux complications opératoires. Il est né le 26 février 1922 à Bridgeport, Connecticut. Conscient du conflit en Europe et surtout de l'évacuation à Dunkerque, il partit de chez lui avec un couple d'amis pour Montréal, Canada après avoir écrit une note à ça mère lui dissent qu'il allait voir une partie de baseball à New York. Le 20 novembre 1940 il s'enrôle et servie avec fierté avec le 12th Army Tank Battallion (The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank)). Il a été au combat avec le Régiment en Sicile; Italie et éventuellement au Nord-Ouest de l'Europe. Ces camardes, de l'escadron "A", lui ont donné plusieurs surnoms, en autres Sy, Al, Prince et Bruce. La mise en terre à eu lieu le 15 février 2008 au Florida National Cemetery.

Address/adresse of/de

Monsieur Wendy Calderon
853 Ayhens Street,
Simi Calley, CA 93065-3214
USA

Email/courriel : wcalderon2@yahoo.com

Mister Wendy Calderon, kindly advised the notice of the death of his Father Mister Seymour Bruce Albert, one more of the dwindling band of brothers of the 12th CAR (Three Rivers Regiment), who passed away on December 11, 2007 at the tender age of 85 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida due to complications from surgery. He was born February 26, 1922 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Being impacted by the war going on in Europe and particularly by the Dunkirk evacuation, he left home with a couple of friends for Montreal, Canada after leaving a note for his mother that he was heading to NYC for a Yankee ballgame. On November 20, 1940, he enlisted and proudly served in the 12th Army Tank Battalion (The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank)). He fought with the Regiment in Sicily and Italy and then eventually in North West Europe. Known by many names from Sy, Al, Prince and Bruce to his "A" Squadron buddies. He was buried on February 15, 2008 at Florida National Cemetery.

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Monsieur Wendy Calderon, nous avise du décès de son père Monsieur Seymour Bruce Albert, un autre de confrérie des camarades du 12th CAR (Three Rivers Regiment), qui est décédé le 11 décembre 2007 à l'age de 85 ans au Lakeland Regional Medical Center situé à Lakeland, Floride suite aux complications opératoires. Il est né le 26 février 1922 à Bridgeport, Connecticut. Conscient du conflit en Europe et surtout de l'évacuation à Dunkerque, il partit de chez lui avec un couple d'amis pour Montréal, Canada après avoir écrit une note à ça mère lui dissent qu'il allait voir une partie de baseball à New York. Le 20 novembre 1940 il s'enrôle et servie avec fierté avec le 12th Army Tank Battallion (The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank)). Il a été au combat avec le Régiment en Sicile; Italie et éventuellement au Nord-Ouest de l'Europe. Ces camardes, de l'escadron "A", lui ont donné plusieurs surnoms, en autres Sy, Al, Prince et Bruce. La mise en terre à eu lieu le 15 février 2008 au Florida National Cemetery.

Address/adresse of/de

Monsieur Wendy Calderon
853 Ayhens Street,
Simi Calley, CA 93065-3214
USA

Email/courriel : wcalderon2@yahoo.com