LETTER

The unsung hero of my immigration

 

I came to Canada in my prime at twenty-five. As an artist, sculptor and restorer of Fine Art,  my first job was stripping old furniture at Henderson Furniture Repair. There I met my life-long friend, later world-wide renowned violin and bow-maker, Joseph Kun, also from Slovakia (1930-1996).

From there to daily attendance at the Temporary Manpower Services where small businesses would hire us for a day’s work, as needed. The pay was feeble, but with the addition of working on Saturdays and Sundays at a car wash (with my wife Danica), we were able to rent a one-bedroom apartment where many of my art pieces saw their birth.

One day, I was hired for general labour at Villeneuve Mechanical Services and met Albert Villeneuve from Aylmer. I remember his friendly face, his understanding of my broken language and his appreciation of my attitude to do honest work, as well as my knowledge of math and physics since we were solving technical problems. We worked hard and long hours, but all came to an end in late November when work slowed down. We learned to respect each other so that in early spring he found my new address and called me at my new job at Allied Film Services. I had to explain that I was brought up to keep my word (to this employer), and he understood.

Though I worked with Albert only for four to five months, he influenced my feelings for Aylmer and this region; we moved here in 1975. Since that time I have met many good people (and the occasional SoB), but my memory stays with my unsung hero, Albert Villeneuve from Aylmer, for welcoming me with a job and his trust, so much needed at that time -- and he gave me this memory. Thank you, Albert, wherever you are!

Rasto Hlavina,
Pontiac