Table of Contents
Introduction
Pietro ‘Peter’ Salvatore was born on October 5, 1926, in Teora, Italy, as one of thirteen
children. His early life included service in the Italian army, followed by work in coal mines
across Switzerland and Belgium. In 1949, he married Maria Manziano, and together they welcomed six children: Gerardo, Immacolata, Angelina, Francesco, Giuseppe, and Antonio. Peter was also blessed with fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren before his passing on October 1, 2016.
In 1955, seeking better opportunities, Peter made the difficult decision to leave his
expecting wife and three children to find work in Canada. He journeyed aboard the Queen
Frederica from Naples to Halifax, then took a train to Niagara Falls. During this time, he kept in close contact with his family through letters and cherished photos, never having met his fourth child until they reunited. After two years of hard work, Peter was finally able to bring his family to Canada on March 24, 1957. Then Peter and his wife Maria welcomed two more children, one of whom is the interviewee.
The purpose of this study is to engage with the Italian Canadian community and explore
the experiences of immigrants from Italy to Canada. This research is vital for preserving the stories of those who came before us. Through this process, I have gained profound insights into the sacrifices made by my family and many others. To celebrate Peter’s journey, a video was created on October 9, 2024, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, highlighting his experiences, working conditions, and the upbringing in an Italian Canadian household. Accompanying images and documents provide a window into this important chapter of our history.
Interview
The video recording of the interview can be accessed below.
Summary of Interview
Below is a summary of the interview for reference to Joe’s responses throughout.
Analysis
During the interview, I was struck by the immense sacrifices Peter Salvatore made to
provide for himself and his family. The courage he and his wife demonstrated is both inspiring and significant to acknowledge. Each immigrant’s story is unique, reflecting individual perspectives on their new country. As noted from Antonio D’Alfonso (1996), people all over the world are moving beyond national borders to give new meaning to their individual and collective experiences. No two experiences are the same; every immigrant creates a narrative to share with future generations, ultimately contributing to the historical archives.
Initially, Peter questioned his decision to come to Canada. He arrived alone, unsure of the language, unaware of where he would find work, and uncertain about when he would reunite with his family. D’Alfonso (1996) points out that this era fostered the development of individual identities in Canada, leading many to take “unexpected paths.” D’Alfonso (1996) also suggest that Peter’s motivations went beyond economic necessity:
“I am not sure that my parents left Italy solely because there was a lack of money; my father completed his military service and could have found work in the Northern region. He truly wanted to make money.”
– D’Alfonso, 1996
This resonates with Peter’s Journey; having served in the military, he sought opportunities in Canada to support his family. He borrowed money to make the journey, and after a few years of hard work, he was finally able to bring his family to Canada for a better life and to build a new identity.
Upon arriving in Canada, Peter and his family faced numerous challenges, including the
difficulty of finding work, which was not as plentiful as he had anticipated, and he even encountered racism in the workplace. Francesco Bressani (1998) highlights that Italians of this era often dealt with language barriers and mistreatment due to their ethnicity. Despite these obstacles, Peter persevered, continuing to work on construction sites to build a life in Canada.
Robert Harney (1988) notes that many Italians found themselves in general labor jobs, and Peter spent many years in this industry. His extensive experience in construction led him to work on the Seagram Tower (formerly the Minolta, now the Tower Hotel) in Niagara Falls, Ontario. After its completion, he was invited to stay on, eventually working in maintenance there for 32 years.
Photo Gallery
On the back of the photo, his wife writes: memory of your wife and your children, so they would not be forgotten by Peter.
Family photo sent to Peter in September 1955, 4 months after he immigrated to Canada without his family. From left to right: Immacolata, Angelina, Maria (wife), holding son Francesco, and Gerardo.
Reflection
Through this interview, I gained a deeper insight into my family’s history. Joe was very close with his father, and through our conversation, I learned new family stories that I will remember forever. I am grateful for the opportunity to share the journey of Peter Salvatore. Before his passing, Peter always enjoyed being surrounded by family and remained a happy man despite the struggles and sacrifices he faced throughout his life. I feel fortunate to have met him, especially since I never had the chance to meet my Italian grandparents, who also emigrated from Italy to Canada. As mentioned in the video, I was speechless at some of the stories Joe shared, and I told him that his father’s journey is truly remarkable, something he should be proud of, as Peter accomplished so much during his life.
Instead of asking more generalized questions, I focused on specialized follow-up questions based on Joe’s recollections of his father. Joe has many stories and shared a deep bond with Peter, even resembling him closely. I also enjoyed learning about Joe’s early life and the conditions Peter faced at work. In future interviews, I would aim to ask even more specific questions about Peter’s life, using the stories Joe shared as a foundation.
According to Donald Schön (1983), reflection is a continuous, iterative process, and this statement resonates with me. As I learned more about Peter’s life, emotions and insights emerged that deepened my understanding not only of his journey but also of the broader immigrant experience. This project has sparked my interest in exploring more immigrant stories, particularly within the Italian community. Growing up Italian, I could hardly imagine the hardships they endured. In conclusion, this project taught me the value of empathy and active listening. I embraced every moment of our conversation to fully grasp the significance of Peter’s story and the journeys of many others. I look forward to continuing this exploration, honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us, and sharing their stories for future generations.
Bibliography
All the photographs included have been approved for sharing from the private collections of Joe Salvatore.
Bressani, Francesco Giuseppe. “Promeo.” The Anthology of Italian-Canadian Writing, edited by Joseph Pivato. Guernica Editions Inc., 1998, pp. 22-26.
D’Alfonso, Antonio. “Choosing One’s Identity in a Pluricultural Country” In Defense of
Ethnicity. Toronto: Guernica, 1996, pp. 171-179.
Harney, Robert F. “Italian Immigration and the Frontiers of Western Civilization.” The
Italian Immigration Experience, 1988, pp. 1-24.
Schön, Donald. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. New
York: HarperCollins/Basic Books.
Citing this Page (MLA):
Mauriello, Claudia. “Peter Salvatore’s New Beginning: From Italy to Canada.” Heritage, Cultural and Ethnographic Studies, edited by Teresa Russo. University of Guelph, November 1, 2024. Peter Salvatore’s New Beginning: From Italy to Canada – Italian-Canadian Narratives Showcase (uoguelph.ca)