Eddy Baldacchino

Eddy was born the ninth of thirteen siblings to Frank and Lorenza Baldacchino. He completed education to the sixth grade at Del Lasalle College. Malta was an important naval hub for the British forces and as a result suffered from German air raids. His family decided that immigration was crucial for the family to prosper. His father and older siblings began their migration to Canada in the early 1950's. Eddy and his older brother, George were entrusted to close out the family's affairs and thus be the last to immigrate.

He boarded the Nea Hellas on November 26, 1953 with his brother George, sister Pauline and mother Lorenza. On board he had a few close friends from their home town. His most memorable moment occured when the Nea Helles left port at Napoli. The Italians openly wept as they recited "Napoli, mia bella Napoli" lamenting the departure of their native homeland. Eddy and his brother were very much saddened by the strains of this melancholic song; they too shed a tear. It was relayed on many occasions how the passengers suffered from the effects of sea sickness. They remembered having dinner in the mess hall, one of their favorite dishes being spaghetti with tomato sauce. Eddy had a marvelous time on board. The ship landed at Pier 21 on December 1, 1953. They disembarked for a few hours while the Italians were given status. Being that he was from Malta and therefore a British subject, the Maltese passengers were processed in New Jersey. They were not informed that they needed a taxi to the train station for the trek to Toronto. He and his family barely had enough money for cab fare. On board the train he remembers being very hungry, but had no money for food. The train trip was pleasant, but uneventful. Upon arrival, Eddy remembers The Royal York Hotel was the tallest building in the Toronto skyline; it was an impressive structure.

Eddy worked at various occupations: house painting, factory labourer, mover. The family purchased their first home on Cumberland St. in downtown Toronto. Later they moved to 599 Jane St. He married Rose Schutt on August 22, 1960 and they had two children, Frank (born 1962), and Marion (born 1964). They moved to Etobicoke - a suburb of Toronto - in 1966. Through the 1960's and 70's he operated a catering truck and in 1980 he opened and operated his own donut/coffee shop until 1999. Eddy is currently self employed working in the construction industry.