Date
June 21, 2011
Maker
Columbus Centre
Accession#
ICEA2011.0047.0001
Interview With Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr., was born on July 9, 1931 in Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. He is the son of Dominic Nardocchio Sr., a shoemaker, and one of the 22 men interned from Nova Scotia. Buddy recalls his family history starting with his grandparents. His maternal grandparents, the Vivas, first immigrated to Philadelphia, USA, before finally settling in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. There, Buddy’s mother, Annie Viva was born and raised. Buddy’s paternal grandparents immigrated to Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1916 from Miranda, Italy. At that time, Buddy’s father, Dominic, was just 11 years old and did not speak a word of English. Buddy recounts growing up in the 1930s and being around his father’s shoe repair shop. He says his father received a contract from the federal government repairing shoes for the Canadian Forces. When his father was arrested on June 10, 1940, Buddy was just nine years old and the oldest of eight children. He says his life changed quite a bit during the 21 months that his father was interned, because he had to help his mother out a lot. After his father’s release, Buddy continued to be mistreated in school, and so he was sent to Halifax to finish high school. Buddy also talks about his automotive career, running a few dealerships for General Motors in the Cape Breton area.
In this opening clip Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. introduces himself and speaks about his parents and grandparents.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. speaks briefly about his early life in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. talks about his father’s shoe repair shop and the large contract his father had with the government prior to his internment.
In this clip Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. talks about the area he grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. explains that he had difficulty in school due to his father’s internment. As a result his family sent him to study in Halifax. He eventually began working for the Canadian National Railway and went on to own a car dealership.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio describes the events of June 10, 1940 when his father was arrested by the RCMP.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. talks about how his family struggled in his father’s absence.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. explains how his father lost his government contract due to his internment and how he had difficulty restarting his business upon his return home.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. expresses why he believes many of the men in Cape Breton were interned.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. talks about his father’s internment and communicating with his father via letters.
In this clip Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. talks about the Italian clubs in Cape Breton and how his father came to be involved with the Italian Consul.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. shares what he knows of his father’s internment experience.
In this clip Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. explains how his mother managed the family while his father was interned.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. describes how his family and the community reacted to his father’s internment.
Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. talks about having relatives who were serving in the Canadian military at the same time that his father was interned.
In this clip Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. talks about his father’s release from camp and return home.
In closing Dominic (Buddy) Nardocchio Jr. shares his feelings on the internment period.
