Anna Runca and Domenico Franco

Domenico Franco came to Canada on the Vulcania in 1957. He was 24 years old at the time. He was coming to Canada for a better life to join his older brothers who were already here.

Anna Runca, 16 years old at the time, was also sailing on the Vulcania in 1957. She was travelling with her parents and coming to Canada to visit her older sisters and brother who were already here. They met for the first time on the Vulcania on this voyage.

The Vulcania arrived at the Halifax port on January 17, 1957. A long train ride brought them to their final destination, Toronto.

After losing track of each other after the voyage, a while later they reunited in Toronto by chance in an English-language class and were married on Sept. 3rd, 1960 in Toronto at St. Mary of the Angels Church. They had 3 children, Daniela Franco (1964), Tonia Franco (1966) and Claudio Franco (1967). Anna stayed home to raise the children and Domenico worked hard as a painter to provide the very best for his family.

They lived in Toronto, moved to Rexdale in approx. 1968 and then to Woodbridge in 1980.

They were giving, hardworking and very caring. Everything they did was for the better of their children. The children were all married off and they were blessed with 8 grandchildren.

Shortly after 54 years of marriage, Anna Franco (Runca) passed away on Sept. 15th, 2014. She lost a very short battle with cancer and was a caregiver to her husband at that time. Domenico Franco moved into a retirement residence a week after her death, and is still living there.