Francesco and Rosaria

Francesco Natoli's Story

This story is written by Francesco's eldest daughter Mary Grace Harris, nee Maria Grazia Natoli.

My father Francesco Natoli was born in Sicily and my mother Rosaria Capobianco was born in a small town in southern Italy. They met during the war in Naples where he was in the police force and she worked in a factory. They married and moved back to my mother's small town and lived with her parents. They had 4 children within 5 years. It was a struggle to earn enough money to feed their big family, so my dad was encouraged to immigrate and seek his fortune in Canada where he was sponsored by relatives in Toronto.

At the age of 28 he left Italy and arrived in Halifax at Pier 21 on October 27, 1951 with only $5.00 in his pocket. He then made his long journey by train to Toronto. There his relatives told him to hit the pavement and look for a job and that he must earn his own keep as they were not prepared to give him charity. He was told if he couldn't find a job then they would send him back to Italy and not sponsor him any longer. The next day he went searching for a job on foot as he did not have enough money for public transport. There were no paved streets of gold but if you were prepared to work hard then your dream of a better life would be realized in this land of opportunity.

He never gave up his dream, worked very hard, sometimes at several jobs at a time so that he could provide a home for his family when they were permitted to join him in Canada.

In 1953 he borrowed money from his friend to pay for his family's voyage to Canada and after 14 months apart my dad was so very happy to be re-united with his family. He met them at Pier 21 and they journeyed to Toronto by train to their home. I recognized him right away but the younger children were too young to remember him.

TIME STOOD STILL

In my mountain town, time stood still in days of yore
Til the outside world came knocking at my door.
Roles were defined right from the start
Cleanliness was next to godliness
Men the breadwinners; Women stay-at-home moms
With no confusion as to their part.
The family was always number one
Doting privileges and honour solely to sons.
United in marriage come thick or thin
Till death do you part and ne'er to sin.
To keep you from going astray
True happiness was all work and no play.
Never indulge in self gratification and fun
Until all your work was done.
As a child this is the only world I knew
Full of rules and orders to uphold.
I learned fully as I grew
To keep the good while discarding the old
On my fresh journey of life anew.

----Mary Grace Harris nee Maria Grazia Natoli

SHIP AHOY

Me, mamma, sis and my twin brothers accompanied by our Nonno
Travelled great distances in our speeding train.
Rocking us gently on its way and whistling at every stop.
It was the start of an adventurous journey to new places
Seen with wonderment through my eyes of six.
It lead us to an even bigger odyssey to a majestic ship
Called Nea Hellas Greek line in the Port of Naples.
Its cold black metal exterior was uninviting and
Brought trembling to my young knees.
It marked the end of the world I knew
And the beginning of a new life
with major changes and uncertainties.
Nonno waved us goodbye with brave quiet tears
As we climbed the oscillating plank to the narrow ship's door.
We walked deeper and deeper into the bowels of our ship
To cramped quarters with two bunks on each side.
There was a washbasin and porthole in the middle
To accommodate us five and another passenger.
There was barely any room to swing a cat
Never mind sleep 6 in any comfort.
Climbing off the bunk beds was quite a feat
Avoiding heads, noses and eyes with my agile toes
As I jumped safely to its swaying floor.
On my journey I could peer out the porthole
Watching the waves splashing against the window
And peeking at fish swimming at its bottom half.
At night the waves would caress the ship
Rocking its cargo gently to sleep.
The decks would beckon us to the outside air
To fill our nostrils with the smell of the sea
And taste the salt of a splashing ocean wave.
We would watch seagulls at play
Frolicking to and fro on our deck's rails.
Their shrill squawking would compete with
The ship's speakers piping out in Italian
"Vola Columba Bianco Vola" (Fly White Dove Fly)
Which serenaded us on our journey.
Meals were served in a grand dining room
Entering it with swinging doors
Greeted by long tables draped in white linens
And illuminated with glimmering chandeliers.
The aromas beckoned you to savour
The feast laid out that was plentiful.
Not all would find this enticing
As those with seasickness would make a speedy exit
Racing through the swinging doors
To calm their tummies to the nearest washroom.
Thankfully it rarely was none of the children
But only some adults who were
Inflicted by the seasickness malady.
To no longer be greeted with my grandparents'
Their daily warm hugs and loving smile
Brought an ache to my young heart and soul.
The days were long and lonely on the ship
Viewing a big blue sky and green vast ocean.
Void of land brought a longing for pavement
To romp, skip and jump onto
with childhood abandonment.
One day I went on an unexpected adventure.
I managed to escape from my ship's chaperone
Who had escorted me to the dining room.
I found a door that led to a room full of ropes
Where I skipped and romped on
Earning scraped knees and elbows.
I was enjoying my new game when I was spotted
By the ship's crew dressed in white uniforms and caps.
They tried to talk to me in their Greek native tongue
It was very convenient that I only spoke Italian
As it would delay being returned to my Mamma.
They delighted in lifting me on their shoulders
And bounced me back and forth
Which brought squeals of laughter and delight
To this grateful child.
When I was returned to my frantic Mamma
I earned the customary pinching of my cheeks
Which was Mamma's seal of disapproval.

----Mary Grace Harris nee Maria Grazia Natoli

LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY

I view you with the same eyes
But my ears cannot comprehend the words.
My mind is learning to look at new ways
Of behaviour and customs.
I learn to cling desperately to the familiar
While embracing my new and different life.
I have the same hopes and dreams as you
But I have to start all over again from the beginning.
I pray and hope for your acceptance and understanding
For you are now my whole new world.

----Mary Grace Harris nee Maria Grazia Natoli

Life was difficult in the beginning but the sacrifices by our parents in making a better life for us and our future generations have paid off. All their children, grandchildren still live in Toronto while I, the eldest daughter, live in Winnipeg with my children and grandchildren. As an immigrant to Canada I still remember my life in Italy with fondness but I am also very proud to be a Canadian citizen. I am thankful to Canada for welcoming us with opened arms in our time of need and I am eternally grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to be part of this great country.