Furlan Anselmo e Elena

In Family Remembrance

I wish to thank the Pier 21 Society for providing the opportunity to commemorate the life of my parents Anselmo Furlan (1907-1963) and Elena Romagnoli (1914-1996) and of my younger brother Giovanni (1944-1995). These emotional pictures are the expression of their courageous and ambitious decision to begin a new life far away from their native Italy through the great adventure of immigration. My recollection of a young and loving family will always have a special place in my heart.

In the wake of the great wave of immigration that followed the Second World War, they have decided to embark in a long process to obtain the status of landed immigrants when we finally arrived in Halifax in March 1952. It was the outcome of a prolonged journey in the hope of finding renewed opportunities.

I recall my early childhood years marked by war and bombardments in Milan and the many transfers that have brought us from Italy to Belgium and then to France. From Le Havre, we crossed the Atlantic on the Scythia in thirteen days between sky and agitated sea. From Halifax, we then travelled by train to Quebec City still very much snowed in at that time of the year.

My parents then decided to go South thinking of finding a more serene climate. Our arrival at the Windsor Station in Montreal did not give us much more respite! With no family to welcome us, no organized services for newcomers in the country and alone to confront the challenge of finding lodging, work and schools, my parents relentlessly managed to overcome those obstacles.

Brought up in modest families, my parents have always been true believers in fundamental family values and in education as a way of building a strong future for us. Throughout the years, they always encouraged us in our studies and provided us with a place to study although we lived in tight quarters. They have always invested great efforts for a better integration in our new community. It was with great pride that I became a Canadian citizen in 1966 while preserving my love and great interest for the Italian culture and civilization and enhancing it with our many trips to Europe.

That audacious road, innovative spirit and the confidence in the future have in turn allowed me to develop my own sense of autonomy. That has led me to meet the love of my life my husband Vincent. I have shared his life since my teen years and both our professional careers in teaching, consulting and research.

I thank my parents for being who I am today.

Maria Furlan
Montréal, March 2009