John Devai, Olga Kimpel Devai

I arrived in Canada on May 28, 1950 and was fortunate to have experienced the wonderful hospitality and dedication of the staff at Pier 21. I have many memories of the General Stuart Heintzelman as it was aboard the ship that I met my future husband, John Devai. By faith, we were both fortunate to have been located to Chatham, Ontario where we would meet again.

For both my future husband and I, the landing in Canada through the Halifax harbour was like a beautiful and unforgettable picture - like a dream. We always wanted to visit Halifax again, together as husband and wife but, sadly, my husband died in 1991. Thanks to the efforts of your good work and society, I was at least able to have a plaque at Pier 21 in his memory.

Pictures 1 and 2 are of a Hungarian group during the voyage. The violinist is my husband John Devai who was playing during a get together on the crossing over. The third picture is taken at the Chatham, Ontario railway station as the men arrived for the first time in what would become their new home. Some 47 men from the ship were placed in Chatham as seasonal workers for the sugar company. The photo was taken by, and published in the local newspaper, the Chatham Daily News.

The newsletters include information about the building of the ship, the regulations and rules to be followed by passengers, the nationalities of the passengers and the important news of the day. I was one of 1100 passengers that came to Canada on that particular crossing.

Pier 21 is a critical part of my history and the history of so many who, like myself and my husband, travelled to Canada with the hope of new beginnings.