My parents immigrated from Sicily, Italy to Canada in 1958 by boat and landed in Bathurst, NB, where my father under the direction of his father, started his first Barbering business. At that time, mother was pregnant with me and I was born in Canada.

There was no Immigration assistance available to my parents during these difficult times.

My father started working when he was 17 years old as a Barber in Bathurst, NB. Both of my parents did not speak English. My father learned to speak English and French while working in Bathurst.N.B.

My parents moved to Saint John, NB in 1961 and mother attended night school at Saint John Vocational School to learn to speak English. While I was attending junior high school, I was assisting my mother with her grammar and conversational homework. My father, the eldest of the 4 brothers, was responsible for helping the younger brothers to get established in Saint John, NB., which was part of the italian family culture. Now one of my father’s brothers has a successful business as a Barber/Hairstylist as my late father had when he was alive.. Working at that young age to support the family and at the same time helping other family members was difficult during those times.

However, with determination, courage, faith and hard work my father prospered, along with any family member or friend who needed his assistance in any way… In Saint John, NB my father achieved his 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus and President of Lions Club, West Saint John Chapter. All these valuable skills my father passed onto me to help others grow in life and not to take anything for granted and to keep strong and positive.

- Rosalia in Saint John, N.B.