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4
A Dane in Little Italy

Chris and the
Order Sons of Italy

Connie Bennedsen's family had been involved with the Order Sons of Italy since Carmela joined the Regina Helena Lodge in the late 1940s. Connie joined the Fiorente Lodge in 1960, and, in 1977, she was elected Grand Administrative Secretary for the Ontario Lodges, a position she held for 18 years.

It was the late 1970s before Chris became actively involved in the Order, although he had been exposed to the Order's activities for many years. Chris was the family's designated driver: He would drive everyone to the Order's bowling tournaments, pick them up, and take them to the banquet that followed. He felt uncomfortable at these events at first, because people spoke mostly Italian, but over the years Chris gradually joined in. In 1977 he joined the Fiorente Lodge.

Garden of the Villa Colombo Home for the Aged, Toronto, Ontario

Order Sons of Italy flag, undated.
(CMC, Christian Bennedsen Collection, P29-1.37.002, E2007-00526)

Chris and the
Order Sons of italy

Listen to audio in which Chris talks about his gradual induction into the Order Sons of Italy.
(CMC/Christian Bennedsen Collection)

In the Order, Chris found an outlet for his talents for organizing and bringing people together. In 1980, he was appointed Grand Council Trustee for Order Sons of Italy Ontario (OSIO), and a year later became OSIO’s Grand Council Treasurer, despite considerable opposition from some members who were dismayed, perhaps, at how this Dane was rising through the ranks.

Chris was elected Grand Council Recording Secretary for OSIO in 1982, Grand Orator in 1989, which put him in charge of OSIO’s archives, and, in 1991, the Grand Venerable (President) of OSIO. In 1995, he became the Order’s first President of the national association he helped create, the Order Sons of Italy Canada (OSIC).

Among Chris’s achievements during his years at the Order were the final closing of the Mutual Benefit Society, the start-up of a scholarship fund, and a newsletter fund. He also helped get the Order’s constitution translated into Italian.

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