Fonds 753 - Cantalini Family fonds

George Cantalini immigrated to Canada from Italy in 1904. He Settled in Lille Atla. and worked there as a coal miner. At the age of 21 he took a job in the Cross liquor store in Blairmore, Alta and later worked in the Fernie Brewery store in Frank.

In 1915 he became agent for Sick's Brewery. For a short time during this period, Mr. Cantalini operated a billiard room and hotel in Bellevue, and six years later, in 1922 he brought the SIck's Agencey to Medicine Hat. In that same year, Mr. Cantalini began his career in the hotel business by purchasing the Corona Hotel.

The firm expanded in 1931 taking over the old Assiniboia Hotel from the Joe Dagg estate and three years later, the Royal Hotel was added to the chain. In 1944 after the original Assiniboia was destroyed by fire, the Cosmopolitan Hotel was urchased and was made the firm's headquarters.

January 2, 1953 marked the opening of the newest Cantalini hotel in Medicine Hat, the Assiniboia Hotel.

George Canalini was married to Leona Cantalini, at the end of his life they resided at 318 11th St. SW. The Cantalinis had three daughters and six sons including: Mrs. Antonia Maramarco of Italy, Ms. Elisa Cantalini (MEdicine Hat), MRs Georgina Robinson (Vancouver), Alfred, Joe, Maurice, and Tony (all of Medicine Hat), Dr. Alfanso and Ray (Italy).

Alfred Cantalini, George's son, became the General Manager of the Assiniboia Hotel, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Royal Hotel, and Corona Hotel. Elisa was the book keeper for Cosmopolitan Hotel, Joseph acted as Manager for the Corona Hotel, and Maurice was the Manager for the Cosmopolitan Hotel. George died in 1962, Joesph in 1975, Maurice in 1985, and Alfred in 1997.