70 years of wedded bliss for Durban couple

a blustering wind, but it did not dampen their spirits. “I was warm in my heart, excited and happy,” Antonietta said, rather misty-eyed. Asked what he remembers best about his bride, Francesco responded unhesitatingly:

“Her beauty.” With a naughty twinkle in his eye, he added “I was certainly looking forward to the night.”

The mother of the groom and the bride’s stepmother had made up the wedding bed –carefully crafted by Francesco – with special linen. “When my mother died, she left lots of sheets, which were kept for this occasion,” explained Antonietta. The reception was at Francesco’s father’s house, with traditional Italian dancing, to two piano accordions, from 1pm until late. Francesco was already a master craftsman, having started his training at the age of nine with a man in the village. Every afternoon, after school, he went to learn his trade and was regarded as one of the finest furniture makers, able to turn his hand to wood or aluminium, carving intricate flowers and other items into his masterpieces.

Francesco felt the pinnacle of his furniture-making had been the wedding bed, made from walnut wood, and later a cot for the baby. “The bed and the cot did not come at the same time!” stressed Antonietta (clearly concerned that some might doubt the purity of their marriage). After the war there was a shortage of work and the Italian government encouraged emigration, so Francesco came to South Africa in 1952 and his wife followed a year later along with their sons Vito (now deceased) and Mino, and daughter Eleonora, on the “Europa”.

Sadly, the precious wedding bed was too heavy to bring to their new home.

Enzo and Teresa were born here, with the family living in a flat in Percy Osborne Road, then a house in Red Hill and finally their current residence in Henwood Road.

At one stage there were nine people sharing, including an uncle, a friend, a brother.

Francesco duly set up his own business and his skilled hands earned him a reputation second to none. Some of his exquisite pieces adorn their home, among them a cristaleira (display cabinet) and an “antiquing” mirror (with a patterned, cloudy face).

A meal which was prepared in the days of food shortages after the war – Pasta e Fagioli (pasta and beans) – remains Francesco’s favourite dish to this day, while cheese, pears and a glass of wine make for a fine dessert.

What advice do the couple offer to those hoping for a happy marriage? Antonietta ticks it off on her fingers:

“My husband never went to the bar. We respected each other. We didn’t fight, though sometimes we disagreed over disciplining the children. Things are different now, but my work was to run the home, look after the children, and ensure dinner was always ready. It is important that children know what is socially correct. My daughter Nora (as Eleonora is known ) was chaperoned by her brother Mino and had to be home by 10pm.”

Nora agrees. “You could not find more dedicated parents. Both knew their place in the marriage. My mother fulfilled her duties excellently; she was a great organiser who always thought ahead. My dad’s part of the bargain was to Modern couples might raise their eyebrows, but 70 years of marriage is an impeccable record.

The Coppolas’ most memorable wedding anniversary was their 50th, when the whole family went to a beach cottage at Port Edward.

This time the celebration was at the family home. It was attended by 37 people, among them 12 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren .

“Actually there were 38 present, counting Kally the cat – short for Kaleidoscope because of its multi colours,” laughed Antonietta.