Our Western Canadian Family Meets our Eastern Canadian Family by Madeline DeLuca Dent

Now, when I look back on our trip to Timmins I realize that it was a reconnection for our Dad. There were so many folks living there that he had either lived with in Villa S. Lucia, Carrufo or Ofena; got to know on the trip to Canada; or had made friends in Vancouver with those that had relatives in Timmins. It was a great trip!!!

We made the trip to there in the summer of 1948....Jennifer was less than 2 years old.
We went in a 1941 Ford and returned safely with only one flat tire along the whole route. At that time there was no Trans Canada Highway. I believe the trip took 7 days to get there and 7 to return. We went through the United States, I think on Highway 10 most of the way - then made our way as far East as Duluth and then north to Canadian Highways and onto Sault St. Marie, where we started visiting and stayed one night with some of Dad's friends. Then onto Timmins! We came bearing gifts from friends and relatives back in Vancouver. Our car was loaded!!

It seemed everybody we knew in Vancouver had relatives living in Timmins. Marietta Moscone had sisters and Catherine Ciccone had sisters as well. Marietta was a Celli before marriage and I believe Catherine's maiden name was DiMarco.

I think we stayed almost two weeks in Timmins and during that time we were invited to either lunch or supper at a different place every time. Timmins was where I celebrated my 12th birthday and Helen & Tony DeLuca put on a big party at their home. Dad seemed to have so many friends there...or many were related to our friends in Vancouver. I think we were the first British Columbians to visit Timmins! They thought we all lived in Teepees, I recall. ( Must have been too much advertising for the Calgary Stampede!)

I think we took some day trips to Schmaker and South Porcupine. Someone wanted us to visit Kirkland Lake too, but it was too far east.

When we safely returned home, our Dad kissed the car after parking it in our house's underground garage!

Oh, what memories!

Ciao for now
M :)