Born in Madeira, Manie Elias was brought to Canada as a child where she met and eventually married Tony Elias, a native of the Azores. Surprisingly, their families had a previous connection as two of their relatives had crossed paths on a vessel departing from Portugal. Manie’s uncle, Silvino Vieira, embarked on a ship from the Madeira pier in 1954, and a few days later, Tony’s uncle, Silvério Rego, joined him in São Miguel, Azores. Despite being strangers at the time, they became friends during the journey, only to go their separate ways upon arriving in Halifax. It wasn’t until years later that their families discovered their shared journey, as Manie and Tony’s marriage brought them together once again. In those days, it was common for friends to lose touch after arriving in Canada as they sought work opportunities. To truly grasp the journey of these pioneers, it is essential to first delve into the lives of Manie and Tony. The following is the result of a conversation held with Manie Elias, joined by Tony in the background, in the spring of 2024.

A New Family Helps Old Friends Reunite

Manie Elias and her husband, Tony, were both born in Portugal, but it was in Canada where they found love and built their life together. Manie, a madeirense originating from Santo António da Serra, Machico, and Tony, an Azorean born in Povoação, São Miguel, both immigrated to Canada in the early 1960s. In their adopted home, they fell in love and defied the odds. Manie arrived in Canada with her immediate family. Her father was a cleaner at Canada Life on University Avenue and Queen Street, and her mother worked as a cleaner at the Postal Station on Bay Street, which is now the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both of her parents are deceased.

As Manie shared, “Back in the day, azoreans married azoreans and madeirenses married madeirenses. They wouldn’t go out of their route. But I was blessed. I was loved immensely by my husband’s family and my in-laws were like parents to me. I was really blessed. My father-in-law worked for CN Rail. He was making the tracks, and at that time it was with a mallet, it wasn’t like now. My father-in-law was a very strong man. He retired at 63 years old. He was happy and said, I’m going to get paid as much as I did when I worked. I loved my in-laws like I loved my parents.”

The couple met through their involvement in Juventude Operária Católica (JOC), a Catholic youth organization established at Mount Carmel Church in Toronto. They were also involved in the Portuguese community, particularly through their support of the Madeira Club. In fact, Manie played a crucial role in protecting the club’s property from being sold. “We are honoured to go to Madeira Park. We have nephews who go to the Park and we get together there with the family. My children grew up in Madeira Park. The guy next door wanted to buy the park because he needed the water from the stream at the property. He called me out of the blue and he said that he was dying to buy the piece of land but that the club was not willing to sell. I said that all the members had to agree and that this member would not. He hung up on me,” Manie recalled.

Manie and Tony had two boys. Sadly, they lost one of their sons to cancer. “Unfortunately, we had a son who passed away at 22, from a very rare cancer. He passed away in 12 days. He was in York University and he was enrolled into the Law program,” Manie shared with a hint of sadness in her voice. Their other son works as an architect.

Despite the challenges they have faced, Manie and Tony have built a successful life in Canada. Manie worked for 27 years at a company that provided bonds for trucks crossing the border, while her husband worked in construction. They are now both retired, enjoying their time together and traveling the world, although they are still waiting for grandchildren. “We’ve been to all the Caribbean, we’ve already been on seven cruises. I have family and friends all over the world”, Manie stated.

The couple’s love for their culture and community has also been passed down to their sons. “I had the honour and pleasure of taking my children to Madeira and the Azores with us. When my husband retired, we went on a tour and visited all of Portugal. We already knew the Azores and Madeira and went from the south to the north of continental Portugal. I have a rooster in front of my house that lights up and my husband put the Portuguese flag beside the rooster. That’s a Portuguese rooster”, Manie chuckled.

Manie and Tony exemplify the strength and perseverance of the first Portuguese immigrants in Canada through their love story, commitment to their family, and impact on their community. Their enduring legacy serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of Portuguese Canadians.

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PIONEERS SILVINO VIEIRA AND SILVÉRIO REGO

What follows is the individual stories of both pioneers as told by Manie Elias.

Silvino Vieira: From Farmer in Funchal to Founding Member of the Madeira Club

Silvino Vieira’s story is one of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Born and raised in Funchal, Madeira, Silvino always had a strong connection to his homeland. However, when economic opportunities became scarce, he made the difficult decision to leave his family and the only life he had ever known to seek a better future in Canada. At just around 25 years old, Silvino arrived in Toronto from Halifax, eager to start a new life in a new country. But the transition was not easy.

Like many immigrants, Silvino faced language barriers and struggled to find work. He often found himself walking along Bay Street, completely unaware of its significance in the business world. “I didn’t even know how to read in English,” Silvino would later recall. “I ended up eating dog food because it was in cans and I thought it was tuna.” Silvino also experienced discrimination and resentment from Canadians who viewed immigrants as a threat to their jobs. Despite these challenges, he remained determined to make a better life for himself and his family.

Thankfully, Silvino’s luck began to turn when he met a kind Jewish couple who owned a building on Bay Street. They took a liking to him and offered him a job cleaning their building and operating the elevator. This job became a lifeline for Silvino and his family, providing him with a steady income and a sense of belonging in their new home. In 1956, two after years after his arrival, he was able to bring his wife and son from Madeira to join him in Canada.

Soon, Silvino’s entire family was working for the couple, with his sister as caretaker and her sons in various roles. “They never considered us less than them,” Silvino would say with gratitude. “They treated us like family.”

Over the years, Silvino and his family became deeply involved in the Portuguese community, particularly the Madeira Club. Silvino was one of the club’s founding members and remained dedicated to its mission of preserving and celebrating Madeiran culture his entire life. He even built two houses in Madeira and frequently traveled back to his beloved homeland.

Despite his success and struggles at the start of his adventure in Canada, Silvino never forgot his roots and always made time to help others. He generously sponsored not only his own family’s immigration to Canada, but also many others who were seeking a better life. Silvino’s hard work and dedication paid off, and he was able to provide a comfortable life for his family. He was a beloved member of the Madeira Club and was honored by the organization for his contributions. However, at the time of the event, he was no longer among the living. His children received the distinction on his behalf.

Silvino passed away in 2010, but his legacy continues through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Today, Silvino’s story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and challenges faced by immigrants, as well as the strength and resilience they possess. He will always be remembered as a kind and compassionate man who worked tirelessly to build a better future for himself and those around him.

Silvério Rego: A Hard Working and Family Man

Silvério Rego, a hardworking gentleman from the Azores, arrived in Toronto after a long journey from Halifax. At the age of 25, he came alone with a strong determination to provide for his family back home. He immediately found work in construction and dedicated himself to it until his passing in 2021.

Despite being far from his loved ones, Silvério always made sure to stay connected with them. He sponsored his wife, inviting her and their daughter to join him in Toronto. Family was everything to Silvério, and he cherished every moment spent with them. He was blessed with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who brought joy and meaning to his life. His wife worked most of her life as a nanny in Toronto.

For Silvério’s nephew, Tony Elias, his uncle was like a second father. They were very close, and Silvério always showed his love and affection towards his chosen son. Even though he led a busy life, Tony never forgot to visit his uncle, who was always delighted to have him around. Both Silvério and his wife were like mother and father to Tony, who served as a comfort in the years that led to the passing of the Portuguese pioneer in Canada.

Silvério was not one to get involved in clubs or social activities. He preferred to spend his free time with his family, creating precious memories. However, a few years ago, he was honored with a medal of merit for being part of the second immigration wave. Unable to attend the ceremony, his family proudly accepted the award on his behalf.

Although Silvério wasn’t very attached to the Azores, he did visit his homeland once or twice since arriving in Canada. He was content with his life in Toronto and didn’t have the desire to travel. He was happy with his family by his side, and that was all that mattered to him.

Silvério will always be remembered as a hardworking man, loving husband, father, and uncle who cherished his family above else.

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For more stories like these, please visit our Pioneers page.

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