Maria Gimenez

Alumni Type: Refugee
Country of Origin: Spain
Date of Arrival: December 4, 1951
Ship: Fairsea
Port of Entry: Pier 21, Halifax

After fighting fascism in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and after Franco's victory, my father took refuge in France in 1948. My mother and two brothers (Miguel and Salvador Jr) joined him in 1949. In December 1951, they boarded the Fairsea at Le Havre and came to Canada.

They landed in Halifax on December 4. From there, they took the train to Montreal where they lived thereafter. France, Canada and Quebec gave my parents and brothers a second chance at life and happiness and for that, they and I will be forever grateful.

Armando Aznar (son)