Fortunato Rao

My name is Fortunato Rao. I was born in 1931 San Giorgio Morgeto, Reggio Calabria, Italy. Life was hard in southern Italy at the time. I lost my father in a tragic house fire when I was 16 years old. Following his sudden death, I became the sole provider for my mother and younger siblings. The conditions motivated me to set sail on the Saturnia for Canada, in search of “pane e lavoro” (bread and work).

I arrived in Canada in 1952 and settled in Toronto, where I worked three jobs in order to provide for my family in Italy and my new family in Canada. I came from humble beginnings and despite never receiving a formal education; I realized that strength, perseverance and hard work can be very rewarding. I started working for the United Steelworkers Union as a Staff Representative. I then went to work at the Workplace Safety & Insurance Appeals Tribunal because all along my passion was for worker’s rights. On the side, I was also the host of “Labour News” on Rogers Cable TV and also, on CHHA 1610 AM Radio in Toronto, which spanned 50 years of advocating worker’s rights.

In 2002, I published a book “The Lucky Immigrant” which is online. I am grateful for the opportunities this country has given me and the journey I took to become a proud Canadian.