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Thursday, March 23, 2023
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Windsor’s location as a border city was often
a crucial factor in the immigrant’s decision to move here.
The following story provides one such example.
This write-up is a reproduction from the Cranbrook Schools Newsletter,
published September 9, 2004, as a courtesy of Guy Di Ponio.
“I am writing this note, however, to explain the role Cranbrook played
in re-uniting a family. My grandfather, Marco Di Ponio, emigrated from central
Italy in the early 1900s through Ellis Island and found his way to Detroit.
The Di Ponios, Vettrainos |
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and several other Italian families
found steady, secure employment at Cranbrook, in Michigan
as gardeners and landscapers. As a result, Marco
was able, in the early 1950s, to sponsor my parents and me to immigrate
to Windsor, Ontario. We left a war-ravaged hilltop home near Cassino,
Italy, and found our way to Windsor in 1951. We were not able to
gain immediate entry into the USA, and thus remained in Windsor.
My grandfather remained at Cranbrook until he retired in 1955. During
his many years at Cranbrook, in Michigan, I remember taking the long
bus ride to Cranbrook from the tunnel to visit and tour the grounds
with
my
grandfather. My most vivid memories were of riding the fire engine
and walking the expansive grounds, marveling at the surrounding beauty.
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The
opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada. |
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