Angelo Di Placido

Angelo Di Placido's story

I was born in 1947 in the region of Molise, Italy. Post WW2 things were pretty harsh, however growing up I simply loved going to school and looked forward to it everyday, while my father's expectation was to help him with farming. At the age of 17 I moved to Zurich, Switzerland. I learned to speak German and worked various trades, after learning that I could not purchase a house in Switzerland unless I lived there for 10 years, I decided to pursue yet another adventure. I loved geography and opportunity; I chose to move to Canada. I researched where I could settle to build a future for myself and concluded that Toronto, Ontario would be my destination. I approached the nearest Canadian embassy in Bern Switzerland for an application to move to Canada. The Embassy immediately provided me with an application. After providing the necessary documents 4 months later, I received my permanent status to emigrate to Canada. In December 1967, I celebrated Christmas with my family in Italy. Thereafter, I departed for Canada from the port of Naples on the ship Olympia in January 1968.

The trip throughout the Atlantic Ocean was not pleasant, I was sea sick all the way. On January 17, 1968 the ship docked in Halifax. When I disembarked through a movable bridge and hit Terra Ferma, I suddenly felt better. Happily, I was able to walk on land and feeling hungry, while waiting to be processed by the port authorities, I went to buy some bread and ham in order to make myself a sandwich, the bread was soft, too soft for my liking, so I made myself a few sandwiches, knowing, I would have a two day journey to Toronto. I ate the sandwich and more as I was so happy, seasickness was over. When I stepped outside, it was so cold my body was shivering. I almost wanted to go back to the ship and get on board back to Europe. The cold and the wind chill was unbearable; it scared me. However, my determination to move forward prevailed. At 4:00 pm, I boarded the train observing the landscape covered in snow throughout the trip. On arrival to Toronto, I was met by my relatives at Union Station.

Days later, I went to visit the nearest employment office to register my arrival. In January construction jobs were scarce, the counsellor suggested that I enroll in English classes. I registered at George Brown. By the time I started work in the spring, I had learned to read and write English within six months of my arrival. I worked in various construction jobs, eventually became lead hand in construction, but my interest was in Real Estate and having the opportunity to grow in the industry. In 1969 I sponsored my brother Francesco Di Placido to join me in Toronto. Later on, I sponsored my other brother Clemente Di Placido to join Francesco and myself. In 1971, I married Antonietta Conte and together had three children: Sonia, Laura and Roberto. I became a Real Estate Broker and in 1978 I started my own Brokerage Firm. I thrived in assisting my clients acquire properties, pursuing the profession, working with Commercial Investments and Land Development sales. Now my children have embarked on their professional careers. Sonia is teaching English and Creative Writing at UBC, Laura is also in the Educational Profession teaching and Robert graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Aviation and is currently working with a company transporting patients to and from hospitals in the Canadian Northern Territories.

Like many other immigrants, life in Canada has given me many opportunities, in work, travel and raising a family. I am thankful for the choice I made to come to this great country. Canada has given me opportunities and I have always loved to discover new places within Canada. The vastness of this country with the beautiful forests, lakes and natural wilderness has inspired me to explore the outdoors and its natural beauty.

In August 2019, my wife and I made a trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia to Pier 21 to commemorate the 51st anniversary of my landing in Halifax. It was quite an emotional experience to wander throughout and look at the building where on January 17, 1968 I landed in the midst of a cold winter. On our visit, Antonietta and I walked through the building observing the brick walls and exhibits in the museum, I remembered the red brick building, the smell of water where I docked with the ship Olympia and the first time I walked on Canadian soil. It was a wonderful way to celebrate and embrace who we are now in Canada, and where I came from, Italy.

Thank You Canada.