Paul N. Luvera Sr. facts for kids

Paul N. Luvera Sr. was a special person who came to the United States from Italy. He was born on March 25, 1898, and passed away on November 4, 1990. Even though he only went to school until sixth grade, he became a Washington State Senator. He also became very famous for carving amazing totem poles. His beautiful artwork can be seen all over the world!

Paul Luvera's Early Life

Paul Luvera was born in 1898 in a place called Reggio Calabria, Italy. His parents were Niccola and Fillippa Luvera. In 1910, when Paul was 12, his family moved to Coleman, Alberta, in Canada. His father, Niccola, worked in the coal mines there.

Paul went to school for one year in Coleman. He finished the sixth grade. At just 13 years old, he started working in the mines too. He worked in the mines for nine years.

Paul Luvera's Career

Luvera's Fruit Store

Working in the coal mines made Niccola, Paul's father, very sick. He developed lung problems. So, in 1918, the Luvera family moved again. They moved to Anacortes, Washington, a town by the ocean on Fidalgo Island.

Paul first worked in mills and delivered groceries. Then, he and his father opened their own business. It was called Luvera's Fruit Store. This store sold food and supplies to people living in Anacortes. It also helped fishermen who needed things for their trips.

Becoming a State Senator

Paul Luvera decided to run for a position called Washington State Senator. A senator is a person who helps make laws for the state. Paul promised to fix the main road into Anacortes. This road was close to the ocean and often flooded.

Paul won the election and became a state senator. He served one term, from 1953 to 1957. During his time as senator, he got money to build a new part of the highway. This new road was built on a hillside, safely away from the floods. In 2000, the Washington Senate honored Paul. They voted to name the road the Paul N. Luvera, Sr. Memorial Highway.

Totem Pole Carver

After Paul retired from being a senator and from his grocery store, he spent his time on a special hobby. He loved carving totem poles. This art form comes from the traditions of Native American people.

In 1977, Paul wrote a book about his hobby. It was called "How to Carve and Paint Totem Poles." He published the book himself. It was so popular that it was printed seven times! It is said that he sold 30,000 copies.

Some people wondered why Paul, who was not Native American, carved totem poles. But Paul said he deeply respected Native American art. He believed that this special craft was almost forgotten. He wanted to help keep it alive.

Paul Luvera's totem pole carvings became very famous. You can find his artwork in many places. Some are in Tacoma, Washington, at Point Defiance Park. Others are in faraway cities like Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Yokohama in Japan, and Stockholm in Sweden.

Paul Luvera's Death

Paul Luvera passed away at his home in Anacortes on Sunday, November 4, 1990. He was 92 years old. He had been married for 64 years. He was survived by his wife, his two daughters Phyllis Luvera Ennes and Anita Luvera Mayer, and his son Paul N. Luvera Jr.