Lucia Olivo D'Angelo

Our mother, Lucia Olivo, left her home in Villaorba, Udine, Italy on July 18, 1958. Her destination was Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario where she would marry our father Alceo D’Angelo. Our father had come to Canada previously in 1955. Travelling with my mother were two friends, Santina Romano and Marcella Pico. Her friends were bound for British Columbia where they were to be married as well. The three young ladies sailed from Genoa on the Queen Frederica of the National Hellenic Line and arrived at Pier 21 on July 28, 1958.

Although our mother knew that our father would be at Pier 21 to meet her, she was surprised to find him on the ship. The Italian Consul General in Halifax at the time was a family friend. He had arranged for our father to board the ship with the immigration officials. Santina and Marcella were put on the train for British Columbia, and my parents left to start their new lives together in Sault Ste. Marie.

To honour our mother we purchased a brick on the Sobey Wall of Honour. In July 2014, almost fifty six years to the day, my mother returned to Pier 21 by ship. We took her on a Canada/New England cruise aboard the M.S. Maasdam that stopped at Halifax. Not only did it stop at Halifax, but it docked directly at Pier 21. For our parents it was like stepping back in time. For us it was an incredible opportunity to share this moment with them. We are truly indebted to the staff of Pier 21 for making this such a memorable day.

Joe and Robert D'Angelo