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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: 1954 | | Notes: Here is Giuseppe Melfi's passport photo (the contributor's father). Like many Italians of his generation, Giuseppe Melfi, couldn't wait to try his luck "in the land of opportunity." During the years 1948-1971 almost 457,000 Italians immigrated to Canada. The massive immigration was fueled by Italy's high unemployment rate and the low standard of living experienced by those living in the countryside. At the time jobs were aplenty in North America and while they were low-paying, most Italians managed to put a bit of money aside. Most used their savings to buy their first homes (often duplexes). The contributor's own father followed this pattern. Like most Italians he is glad he came to Canada and has no regrets. | Contributed by: Mary Melfi
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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: 1955 | | Notes: Here is a picture of the contributor's mother, Giovanna (better known as Nina) Ferrara. She sent this picture sent to her husband a year after he had immigrated to Canada. In her characteristic self-depreciating humour, Nina wrote at the back of the photo: "I don't look good, because of the wind." Her husband, then living in Canada, did not agree. He kept this photo in his wallet for years. | Contributed by: Mary Melfi
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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: 1957 | | Notes: Here is the passport photo of Giovanna Melfi and her two daughters, Sue and Mary. | Contributed by: Mary Melfi
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Lucca, Italy | | Date: 1945 | Notes: Dionisia Landucci was born in 1916. At the age of 12, after elementary school, she was sent to work. She worked as a machine operator [lavoriazione di filo da cucito] in a large company until 1954. The decision to immigrate was made by her husband, who after the war, found it hard to find employment. He left for Canada in 1951, she and her two children came to this country three years later. Here she also worked, becoming highly skilled in her field and much valued. After the death of her husband in 1995 she became a resident at Centro Dante. She often remembers with nostalgia her youth in Italy and how happy she was when she and her parents went to the sea for their vacations.
The photo and short biography of Dionisia Landucci were first published in Centro Dante's "Album di Famiglia, 1996." Permission to use the material was given by Santa Cabrini Hospital's administration. For further information visit: www.sanacabrini.qc.ca. | Contributed by: Courtesy of the Santa Cabrini Hospital
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Venesia Giulia, Italy | | Date: 1930 | Notes: Giovanni Comparach was born in Yugoslavia, in Curzola, a place which in 1908 still belonged to Italy. At that time the place was very beautiful, but then the war came, and it devastated it. In 1933 he was recruited into the army and was sent to Ethiopia to fight "nella 'guerra di Mussolini.'" In 1952 viewed as a "orfano di guerra" (war orphan) he was allowed to enter Canada. Here he worked at various jobs and often thought of his home country.
The photo and short biography of Giovanni Comparach were first published in Centro Dante's "Album di Famiglia, 1996." Permission to use the material was granted by Santa Cabrini Hospital's administration. | Contributed by: Courtesy of the Santa Cabrini Hospital
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Calandrino, Sicily, Italy | | Date: 1950 | Notes: Alfonso Calandrino was born in 1906 on Saint Valentine's day in Ribera, Agrigento, in a house close to where Napoleon Bonaporte stayed in. At the age of 8 Alfonso's father died, making it impossible for him to continue his studies. He missed going to school a great deal, but there was nothing to be done. He had to provide for himself. He first worked as a farm hand, and then as a gardener. In 1959 he came to Montreal to be with his adult daughter. For 14 years he worked for the florist, Jules D'Alcantara. In 1990 he went to live at Centro Dante where he helped develop its garden. He also wrote poetry and prose. In his diary he wrote: "La solitudine non e una cattiva consigliera. La solitudine fa meditare, per tutto il tempo che la persona vuole. Spesso, la cattiva compagnia fa sbagliare strada, mentre la solitudine ti fa pensare, pensieri che sembrano strani ma hanno una ponderazione infallibile..."
The photo and short biography of Alfonso Calandrino were first published in Centro Dante's "Album di Famiglia, 1996." Permission to use the material was granted by Santa Cabrini Hospital's administration. | Contributed by: Courtesy of the Santa Cabrini Hospital
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Castelmare del Golfo, Sciliy, Italy | | Date: 1956 | Notes: For Giuseppina Fundaro it's still hard for her to understand why so many people left "quella belissima terra, con una suggestiva veduta del mare, baciata dal sole dal mattino al tramonto, e con un clima cosi diverso da quello di questa nuova patria." Obviously, she admits, most people left Sicily and came to Canada in the hope of getting a good job and improving their lives. In 1957 she too came to Canada with her husband and children. She now has 10 adoring grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
The photo and short biography of Giuseppina Fundaro were first published in Centro Dante's "Album di Famiglia, 1996." Permission to use the material was given by Santa Cabrini Hospital's administration. For further information visit: www.santacabrini.qc.ca. | Contributed by: Courtesy of the Santa Cabrini Hospital
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Guardalfiera, Molise, Italy | | Date: 1950 | Notes: Emma Cichetti Latessa was born in 1914. Her older sister, Concetta, immigrated to Canada in 1904, long before she herself had been born. One of her sister's children eventually joined the Canadian army and fought in Sicily during World War II. The young man found his way to her little village. Their meeting eventually influenced her family's decision to pack up their bags and head for Montreal in the hope of having a better life. Her family sold off everything -- their house, their vineyards, and all their belongings. In 1960 she and her children landed in Halifax and she immediately felt isolated ("...fredda, squallida, deserta; un contrasto incomparable con il sole lucente de l suo paesetto che aveva lasciato in un'atmosera incantevole per la preparazione della festa di Natale."). The first few years in Montreal were very hard ("...tanto dure e colmi di sacrifici."]. Later, when her husband landed a job with Hydro Quebec, their fortunes improved. She stayed home and enjoyed being a mother to her children. Sadly, the premature death of her husband caused her great sorrow and changed her circumstances. In 1992 she became a resident of Centro Dante and here became involved in its many activities.
The photo and short biography of Emma Cicchetti Latessa were first published in Centro Dante's "Album di Famiglia, 1996." Permission to use the material was given by Santa Cabrini Hospital's administration. For further information visit: www.santacabrini.qc.ca. | Contributed by: Courtesy of the Santa Cabrini Hospital
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Gesualdo, Campania, Italy | | Date: 1966 | Notes: Marianna Sasso Mannetta was born in 1915. She spent her childhood and adult life in the countryside, doing farm work and housework. In 1970 she came to Montreal to be with her adult children. Twenty years later, poor health made it impossible for her to live on her own. She became a resident at Centro Dante. Her greatest joy comes when her children and eleven grandchildren visit her.
The photo and short biography of Marianna Sasso Mannetta were first published in Centro Dante's "Album di Famiglia, 1996." Permission to use the material was granted by Santa Cabrini Hospital's administration. | Contributed by: Courtesy of the Santa Cabrini Hospital
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Provvidenti, Molise | | Date: 1948 | Notes: Maria Cerulli (nee Capporicci)
Passport photo, taken before immigration to Montreal, Canada | Contributed by: Emma Cerulli
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