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Jan 15,2006 - Jan 22,2006 |
17 - Mike Di Donato, president of Faema Company Ltd. remembers his revolution
Mike Di Donato, president of Faema Company Ltd. remembers his revolution
By Antonio Maglio
Originally Published: 2002-12-22
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Mike Di Donato and sons
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In the big, red brick building, at 672 Dupont Street, past, present and future coexist.
The past, because for decades the Ford Motor Co. assembled here its legendary Model T, that was tested on the large terrace on the roof: about 30,000 cars each year.
The present, because this 160,000 square feet building, erected in 1914, has become a noteworthy piece of architectural archaeology, fully restored and renovated and mostly rented to architects, lawyers, interior designers, real estate agents and computer dealers.
The future, because it is from these prestigious premises that Faema Company Ltd., owned by Mike Di Donato and his four sons, is planning the further development of its activities, born out of Italian initiative and inventiveness.
And this is the reason why this story deserves being told.
He, i.e. Lorenzo Michele (Mike) Di Donato, company founder and president, from San Nicola Baronia (Avellino), did not come to Canada to escape poverty. "On the contrary" he says, "in Italy I was well paid: I worked as a technician in the construction of huge water tanks for aqueducts, and I was valued".
Then why did you dump everything and come to Canada?
"Because in that period, in the mid-Fifties, labour, especially technicians, was in great demand in Canada, and I heard that salaries were high. I thought: I'll go there, make some money and return to Italy. I'll start my own company and become a contractor for aqueduct works. This was my goal".
Instead, you came and stayed. Why did you change your mind?
"I came here in November 1956, and contrary to my expectations I found out that Canada did not need technicians at all, but only unskilled workers. And I also found thousands of Italian immigrants who had a difficult time trying to get a job, also because the structures lending assistance to foreigners only came into existence later on. I had to pay for English language classes myself; nowadays they're given for free. But I also noticed that these people were homesick and integrating with difficulty, they wanted to taste Italy on the table: there were no coffee bars, there was neither pizza nor pasta. You'll never guess how they cooked it".
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