Enrico Caruso Lodge #1463

Carmaline Giotta, devoted member of the Visalia Enrico Caruso Lodge since 1955, has celebrated her 100th birthday on November 12, 2024, at a small family event at Quail Park at Shannon Ranch in Visalia, where she has resided for two years.

Carmaline Toledo Giotta was born in Tipton, CA, as the 5th of 11 children born to John and Carmalina Toledo.  Her siblings affectionately nicknamed her “Maxie” and they were raised on the Toledo Ranch where they learned to work hard, laugh often and cherish family times.  The Toledo family was admired for their family values, generosity and fun-filled home.  This way of life shaped Maxie as a woman, wife, mother, and grandmother and set the standard by which she lived her life.  Maxie was married in 1944 and soon became a mother to Barbara and Johnny.  But it was on March 9,1955, when she married her life long love, Pietro Giotta.  Pete courted Carmaline (he did not like the nickname “Maxie”) for several years before winning her over with his loyalty, devotion and love for her, Barbara and Johnny, and he adored his beautiful bride and new family. They moved to Ivanhoe, CA, in 1955 and worked together with the Vito Giotta family in their first family business, Save Mor Market.

Pete and Carmaline threw themselves wholeheartedly into everything they did and were a force to be reckoned with.  They were successful in many business ventures, from convenience markets, self service laundromats, strip centers, ranching, subdivisions and residential construction, and lastly one of the largest shopping centers in Visalia.  But most dear to them was their commitment to the Enrico Caruso Lodge, of which Pete became the Venerable for many years and then the Hall Manager, his true calling.  In 1975 Pete supervised the building of the beautiful Lodge Hall, after obtaining his Contractor’s license for this purpose, and it became a showpiece in Visalia for many local events as well as several Grand Lodge Conventions, which were memorable. For over 40 years, Pete and Carmaline spent most weekends hosting dinners, dances, weddings, funerals and just about any function where a large, beautiful venue was needed.  While Pete supervised the kitchen, Carmaline was in charge of the wait staff and always could be seen serving alongside everyone else with a smile on her face and an expert hand at knowing just what was needed  to keep the guests happy.  They were truly “Mr. and Mrs. Sons of Italy” in Visalia and were well known in the community for their generosity and good works.  They embodied the spirit of the Order and cherished the lifelong friendships that developed over 70 years of membership.  Their dedication to the Lodge was unsurpassed and many of you knew them both as a very active and vibrant, fun couple.

Pete and Carm traveled the world together including Europe, Asia, Australia, China, Egypt, Israel, Greece and much of the U.S. as well.  They were famous for their “Tour of Italy”.  They visited Italy over 20 times with family and friends and it was a treat to see the country from their perspective.  After helping host a student exchange program with Putignano, Bari, Italy, they were instrumental in setting up Visalia’s Sister City relationship with Putignano, from where about 40 families in Visalia had originally immigrated.  For many years they, along with many of these Visalia families, traveled back and forth for Sister City functions.  Guests from Italy loved staying with Pete and Carm where they were treated with tours, parties, great meals and hospitality and always lots of fun and laughs.

Pete and Carm also shared a love for music and dancing and were seen at least twice a week at various dance floors or stages of halls across the central valley.  They loved to entertain and were famous for their lip sync versions of “football widow” and other country favorites, costumes and all.  If you attended a grand lodge convention, you probably were treated to one of their performances.  And Carmaline also performed at Toledo/Giotta family reunions and events with her sisters as The Andrews Sisters, Sister Act, Pistol Packing Mama, and other great oldies.  She was never one to look for attention, but put her on a stage with music and a microphone and a new Carmaline emerged!

Carmaline knew the importance of family as taught to her by her parents and she became the matriarch after the passing of her mother.  Annual Easter reunions for the Toledo and Giotta families were held at the Giotta ranch and then later at the Sons of Italy Hall for decades and we all have special memories of the talent shows, Easter eggs hunts, great meals and fun times together.  As well as her own family of Barbara and Johnny, seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, her extended family included dozens of nieces and nephews who all knew the love she gave generously.

Whether as Mom, Grandma, Carmaline or Maxie, people who know her share many of the same fond stories and feelings.  She is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and her beauty radiates from her warm smile and open arms.  She has taught us by example to be kind, to be accepting of others, and to care for those in need.  She has taught us the joys of dancing and singing out loud. And she continues to live her life as a role model to those lucky enough to know her.