Interview with Dino Di Maurizio, Mary Gasbarini & Mario Lorito

Mary Gasbarini, Dino Di Maurizio and Mario Lorito discuss life in St. Catharines as Italian Canadians during World War II. Dino and Mary are the children of Gabriele Di Maurizio, who was interned for two years during the war. Mario later became Gabriele's son-in-law. Gabriele was born in Italy, where he worked with the Italian police force. He then immigrated to Canada with his wife where he worked as a labourer on the Welland Canal. He was instrumental in organizing the St. Catharines chapter of the Order Sons of Italy. Gabriele was arrested in 1940 when the family was sitting down for dinner. The police searched his home and found an Italian flag in his closet. His wife and children were able to visit him while he was held in Toronto, but not after he was transferred to Petawawa. Gabriele reported to his wife that he was interrogated and asked if he was willing to fight for Canada. After he came back, he had a lot of difficulty finding a job, because he had to disclose that he was in the camp for two years. Dino and Mary say that this incident still troubles them. Dino in particular believes that there should have been compensation for the two years that their father was interned.