Awards

2000, "Presented to Ray Culos in appreciation and recognition for the unique contribution he has made, as an historian, to the preservation of the history of our community." Joe Finamore, President, Italian Cultural Centre.

2005, "We salute Raymond Culos for his contribution to the Italian community and congratulate him most heartedly on this crowning achievement, that of being accorded the prestigious title of Italian-Canadian of the Year for 2005". John Teti, Confratellanza Italo-Canadese.

2006, "To Raymond Culos with congratulations & gratitude for your continued contribution to the conservation of Vancouver's Italian-Canadian heritage with the publication of Vancouver's Society of Italians, Volume III." Italian Cultural Centre Society Board of Directors.

2008, Joe Finamore, President of the Italian Cultural Centre's nominated Ray Culos as a Provincial Nesika Award nominee in 2008. The Provincial Nesika Awards program announced in February 2008 was designed to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and communities for initiatives that bring people together to demonstrate the benefits of cultural diversity. Although Ray was not selected, he felt privileged to have been considered (see Ray Culos, slide #38) >>>>click to view

Published Books

  • Vancouver's Society of Italians,Vol I (1998)

    • Vancouver's Society of Italians is the dynamic story of pioneer Italians and their institutions. Among those featured are men and women who were members of one or more of Vancouver's three Italian mutual aid societies that existed between 1904 and 1966...

  • Vancouver's Society of Italians,Vol II

    • Over one hundred people were interviewed for Volume II which was released in 2002. It is the story of the Italian community’s leaders between 1967 and 2001 and presents a fascinating scenario of sacrifice, controversy and success during a period of outstanding cultural growth and awareness.

  • Vancouver's Society of Italians,Vol III

    • Vol III summarizes the contemporary view of the community’s future possibilities regarding the Centre’s future direction. It was introduced in 2006 following the Centre’s million dollar remodeling of the Main Salon. All three publications are available for sale from the author and at a select number of bookstores...

  • Britannia Remembers 100 Years of Achievement (2008)

    • Ray Culos - and Clive Cooking - co-chaired Britannia Secondary School's 100th Anniversary Publication Committee. They wrote a 234-page hardcover commemorative book which was introduced to the Alumni at the school in May 2008. Copies of this outstanding souvenir book are available for $20 each at Britannia, Parker Street and Cotton Drive, Vancouver (604) 713-8266.

Current Projects

  • L’Altra Campana, April 06, 2009

    • Vancouver's Shoeshine Boys, la nuova "fatica" di Ray Culos

    “Siamo venuti a conoscenza che il prossimo giugno sara’ pubblicato un nuovo libro sritto dal prolifico Ray Culos. Con il suo “Vancouver’s Shoeshine Boys”, questo il titolo del libro, Culos, ancora una volta, analizza, con gran dovizia di particolari ed immagini, I sacrifici fatti dai primi emigrati italiani in Canada che pur privi di istruzione e conoscenza della lingua, grazie alla loro etica, alla loro determinazione ed al loro orgoglio, riuscirono a migliorare la loro posizione e quella delle loro famiglie; cosa che premise loro di essere."

    Vancouver’s Shoeshine Boys, a 20th century phenomenon, is a story of Italian immigrants who arrived in Canada in search of a dream. Although lacking in education and use of the English language, they possessed a remarkable and exemplary work ethic which allowed them to champion challenges along the way... >>>>read more

  • A Proposed New Publication (2010) - iL Museo at the Italian Cultural Centre

    • Ray Culos, a founding member and first chairman of the Italian Centre's Museum and Archival Centre Committee, proposes to write a review about the museum and its collection. In developing his proposed booklet, Culos is collecting information about the various items in the collection. If you wish to learn more about this project contact the Italian Cultural Centre.

  • Vancouver's Shoeshine Boys (2009)

    • This fascinating social history is the story of the Italian immigrants who pioneered Vancouver's shoe shine parlour business circa 1906- 1986.

    Published in Montreal by Cusmano Books, the book features interviews with 20 former shoe shine aficionados. Most of these young entrepreneurs worked after school, weekends and summer holidays earning money which in many cases was turned over to their parents to help with family's finances.