Cao, Rico Christie (1884-1958)

Rico Christie Cao was also known as Probo Wallace Federico Christie Cao. He was an accountant who lived at 1808 Nelson Street in 1908.

He was born on July 14, 1884.

Along with his brother, Clifford, Rico designed and built a 32-foot yacht called Iola.

He became a bookkeeper and accountant in the lumber sales business.

On March 11, 1905, in Vancouver, he married Violet Ellen Christie. The marriage certificate said that she was born in Liverpool, England about 1885. [Other documents indicate that she was born in Washington State.] Her parents were Athelstan Christie and Annie Walker. This marriage seems to have ended, either by divorce or annulment, sometime after the 1911 Canada census. Rico and Violet had a son named Athelstan Rico Cao [he was later known as Athelstan Higman].

In January 1916, Rico enlisted and became a sergeant with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. He returned to Canada in June 1919.

At some point, he married Lillian Hazel Buck. She was born in Nova Scotia on February 13, 1890. Her father was Lionel H. Buck, who was born in England about 1851. Her mother was Isabel, who was born in New Brunswick in 1862.

Rico died in North Vancouver on March 23, 1958.

Lillian died in Vancouver on September 12, 1981.

Further information on the Cao family appears on the page for Ada Cao.

 

Sources

“England and Wales, Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008″, index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/2XLP-VNV : accessed 06 Nov 2014), Probo Wallace F C Cao, 1884.

Ancesty.co.uk, Liverpool, England Baptisms, 1813-1906: Name: Probo Wallace Federico Christie Cao; Mother: Ada Cao; Father: Angelo Cao

“Canada Census, 1901,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KHVN-26J : accessed 06 Nov 2014), Rico Cao in household of Ada Cao, D, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 5, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JD81-C8C : accessed 06 Nov 2014), Rico Chrutee Cao and Violet Ellen Christie, 11 Mar 1905; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11373, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1983530.

“Recensement du Canada de 1911″, index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QV95-MGW8 : accessed 06 Nov 2014), Rico Cao in entry for Ada Cao, 1911.

Canadian Expeditionary Force, https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=86776; Name: Cao, Rico Christie; Rank: SGT; Regimental Number: 130223; Date of Birth: 14/07/1884; Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 1474 – 51; Item Number: 86776.

“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/2H25-KBC : accessed 06 Nov 2014), Rice Christie Cao, Jun 1919; citing Immigration, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, T-14796, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLRG-4S3 : accessed 07 Nov 2014), Rico Christie Cao, 23 Mar 1958; citing North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13236, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2033177.

Rico Christie Cao, death notice, Vancouver Province, March 25, 1958, page 20: “Cao – Mar. 23, 1958. Rico Christie Cao, 2128 Cortell Road, North Vancouver. Survived by his loving wife, Lillian Hazel; 1 son Athelstane, and 1 grandson, Jeffrey, San Leandro, Calif; 3 sisters, Mrs. Adriana Taylor, Mrs. Luigia Yolland, Vancouver, Mrs. Kitty Vivian, Victoria. Funeral service in Burrard Chapel, North Vancouver, Wed., Mar. 26, at 2:30 p.m., Rev. N.J. Godkin officiating. Cremation.”