I happened upon this page by pure accident, and what memories it brought back! I worked for Franco Stazzonelli for three years as a teenager, in his Perth travel agency, Bon Voyage, and later managed the Victoria Park branch.

He was the most charming and delightful person, highly cultured and knowledgeable. We collaborated on local radio, promoting the agency; I'd write copy in English, Franco in Italian, and we'd provide European records, mostly classical but also popular, for the show which Franco presented.

Franco was a local entrepreneur who promoted art and culture, not necessarily Italian, but he took me to see visiting Italian musicians, mostly popular, and introduced me to wonders of Italian culture. Franco, of course, was from the north, Sondrio; my English father worked in Spain throughout the civil war and was fluent in many Spanish dialects; he and Franco could converse, Franco in northern Italian and my father in Spanish, with little difficulty.

Lovely to hear of a wonderful person again out of the blue.

Franco was a local entrepreneur who promoted art and culture, not necessarily Italian, but he took me to see visiting Italian musicians, mostly popular, and introduced me to wonders of Italian culture. Franco, of course, was from the north, Sondrio; my English father worked in Spain throughout the civil war and was fluent in many Spanish dialects; he and Franco could converse, Franco in northern Italian and my father in Spanish, with little difficulty.

Lovely to hear of a wonderful person again out of the blue.

Tue 2 Dec 2014

I'm living in the Netherlands, and my niece, Thea Kruiskamp, was/is married with Franco Stazzonelli. They had a travel agency in Australia in de 60-70ties for mondial sea-cruises. Her father was John (Jan) Kruiskamp how lived in Fremantle. Tea's brother is Jean Kruiskamp. Last contact with Franco and Thea was in their (temporary ?)home in Norhtern Italy at the Como Lake. I would appreciate to learn if Franco and/or Thea are still living. I estimate their age between 75 -85 years now. Sorry for errors against the English language. Hans / The Netherlands

Sun 9 Oct 2016

Ref, my previous mail this afternoon: Not Como Lake in Italy, but Lago Maggiore. Thanks in advance for you reaction on my previous mail..
Hans (Netherlands)

Mon 10 Oct 2016

Sadly our uncle ( zio) Franco passed away today. He was a generous man keen to share his passion of foreign music to everyone and his hospitality to all will never be forgotten. A refined man that will not be forgotten. Fondest memories always.

Sat 9 Sep 2017

Dear Mr.Hans,
I just read your notice .
Thea Kruiskamp , my mother , sadly died on the 21st of December 2006 in Italy .
In 2014 , my father Franco Stazzonelli and I decided to return to Australia .
We arrived on the 8th of December 2014.
On the 9 of September 2017 my father passed away .
I hope you will read this information .

Kind regards

Sat 14 Oct 2017

Dear Mrs,
Then you must be the daughter. I hope you are doing well in this 'covid time'. My age is 73 and my wife Sonia 71. I was a responsable officer for several companies of an int. contracting group, active in petrochemical and offshore. Retired at the age of 60. I think you must be about our age. We still remember you from our visit to Italy. Your father bought nice clothes for our 4-year-old daughter Muriel. Is Thea's brother Jean still alive? You do not need to send us his contact details.
My parents went to Australia several times to meet your mother. They were very close. Not much contact with the other Van den Bussche brothers and sisters. Not even the one in Australia.
You can email us directly if you wish. I am attaching a photo from 50 years ago. We will be married for 50 years next May 2021.
With kind regards
Hans & Sonia
hanspollemans@zeelandnet.nl

Sun 20 Sep 2020

error to my last message.
My parents did not visit yr mother, but your grandmother, my aunt Riet, married to Jan Kruiskamp.

Sun 20 Sep 2020

Franco is survived by his son, Albert, Stazzonelli and his two grand children Vance Stazzonelli Elise McKay and his four great grandchildren Harriet, Florence, Cooper and Oscar who all live in Perth.

Thu 8 Sep 2022

Franco is survived by his son, Albert, Stazzonelli and his two grand children Vance Stazzonelli and Elise McKay and his four great grandchildren Harriet, Florence, Cooper and Oscar who all live in Perth.

Thu 8 Sep 2022