LOVE has withstood the test of time for Capalaba’s Sam and Nancy Ragonesi who have celebrated 60 years of marriage.
The pair married on February 2, 1958. Nancy was just 18 and Sam was 20.
Daughter Connie Ragonesi said her parents had lived and worked in the Redlands for more than 60 years.
They were each born to Italian immigrants who had come to Australia in the 1920s looking for a better life.
They went to north Queensland first, finding employment in the back-breaking work of cutting sugarcane by hand.
After saving money they headed south. Settling in the Redlands, Sam’s family bought a farm at Plumber Street, Wellington Point.
“Unfortunately, my mother’s father was ill and did not live long when moving to Brisbane,” Connie Ragonesi said.
“So my mother and her mother and sister had to seek work. Through friends they were told they could find work picking strawberries on a farm in Plumber Street.
“It was on this property that the young, pretty brunette, 16-year-old Nancy caught the eye of the boss's son, Sam junior.”
Ms Ragonesi said Sam was smitten and within 18 months of meeting they were married.
“They began their married life working long and hard on a new property that had been bought by the family on Main Road, Wellington Point,” she said.
They had a daughter and two sons and after many years on the farm, Sam and Nancy sold and moved to Capalaba were they brought a property.
“They invested in a small takeaway business,” she said. “Although it often took them outside the Redlands, they chose to commute rather than live anywhere else.
“After 20 years working in business they called it a day. They sold the property at Capalaba and moved to Birkdale were they nursed Sam’s parents until they passed away.”
Ms Ragonesi said her parents were enjoying their retirement, the best part of which was spending much time with their grandchildren.
“Sixty years on with three children, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren children, through hard times, good times, through joys and tears, their love has withstood the test of time which is testament to what beautiful resilient people they are,” she said.
“They have been the best parents anyone could have have wished for, always putting the needs and wants of others before their own and never failing to be there for our family.”
Ms Ragonesi said her parents enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing bowls and taking short trips away.
”This is a very small insight... If I was to write about my parents, what they have achieved and what they have given of themselves it would fill a novel,” Ms Ragonesi said.
