Antonio Giovannina e Michele

Like most immigrants that migrated from war-torn Europe after W.W. II, my father Antonio was seeking a new & better life for his family. There was no future for him in economically depressed Italy. My dad left the city of Cosenza in the region of Calabria early in 1950, a year after his eldest son, Michele, was born. He first went to Belgium and then migrated to Wales early in 1951. In Wales, he worked in the coal mines outside of Cardiff until April, 1954. Here, he learned to read, write, & speak English. At the age of 29, Antonio left Wales in May, 1954. It was his hope that Canada would offer him the opportunity of re-uniting his family. He arrived in toronto filled with hope & dreams of better tomorrows. Being unskilled, it was difficult to find steady work so he took on jobs that paid little & demanded long hours, yet he perservered. He was able to bring my mom & I to Canada by the fall of 1955. On November 11, 1955, my mother, Giovannina, aged 28 and I, aged 6, boarded the ocean liner "Saturnia" at the port of Naples. We arrived at Pier 21 on November 22, 1955. After a 2 day train trip, we were re-united with my father in Toronto on November 24, 1955.

My parents were blessed with 3 more children, all born in Canada. Sam, my brother, was born in 1956, Frances, my eldest sister, born in 1958, & Joanne, my youngest sister, born in 1968. It was with great pride that my father would boast about having four children all with university degrees. Education was a priority with my father and he was thankful that living in Canada made it possible for his children to get an education if they so desired. Unfortunately, my father passed away September 18, 1996 at the age of 72. Happily, he did see 3 of his children get married, start their careers & their own families.

The journey of hope, dreams of a better & brighter future that made so many immigrants chose Canada as their new home, began when thousands stepped off the boats and onto Canadian soil at Pier 21. I will never forget that; I appreciate this even more so today then when I was a 6 year old boy. Canada's promise of a better & brighter future came to pass for my father & many other immigrants. Their dreams were lived and are still being lived through their sons, daughters, & grandchildren.

My siblings & I appreciate the fact that we wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for our parents' sacrifices, hard work, & dedication. It is with great pride that I can state that my family, though it values our Italian roots & heritage, are proud & honoured to be Canadians.

Michele Granata