A summary of the oral history transcript of Gus Lavorato
in which he discusses his father's journey to Canada, as
well as his own life growing up in Canada.
Father/Mother :
Father (Giuseppe) born in 1884, in the province of
Cosenza, and came to Canada in
1898 at the age of 14. Mom (Theresa) was born in 1888
and came over in 1919.
Father had not been trained in any trade or
occupation.
Father arrived in Montreal, Quebec, and found work in
Hull as a waterboy for a construction crew building a
bridge. He then worked his way west through the United
States on the railway.
He arrived in Edmonton in 1905. He worked on the
railway in Edmonton for one dollar a day, and also gave
dance lessons to people to supplement his income.
He eventually became a foreman for the railroad, and
worked at it until his retirement in 1948.
Very few Italians in the area during this time.
His favorite thing about Canada was the amount of food
available.
First house was on Norwood Blvd. and 93 street near
the Vinton Centre.
Mother worked as a cook, and liked to knit. Mother was
the one who ran the house, and his dad was quiet by
nature.
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
