gone but not forgotten
Hi everyone,
I'm a former residence of the junction. I grew up on sterling rd during the 60's and 70's before my parents moved us north to richmondhill. I attended perth school, st.luigi when it first open, st.rita's, and then western tech. I still remember going to school with jack fava, living across the street from brett, eddie and his sister marie, and john-paul and when his brother was unfortunately run over. I remember growing up playing on the street and in the neibourhood as kids, in ways that we don't let our own children play today. Playing in the factory grounds and at high park. The dichotomy of those disparate places. The good and the bad. The stench from the factories and then the sweet smell of chocolate from the rowntree chocolate factory. People stayed, moved away or died there.
Why am I coming forward now in order to bring up the past? I guess, in some ways I never fully left that place. It still continues to be a part of me that, like a dream or a myth, has taken on symbolic meaning in my imagination. Whatever the reason, I was happily surprised to find that the people of the junction triangle are a community, and stand by their neirbourhood.
I wonder if there are others like me who, whether they left or stayed, find this community more then a place on the map, or an intersection of streets and rails.
Gon but not forgotten,,
Hi Vince ,, I was telling my wife about the places that I worked In Toronto. And she went on her computer looking for some of the places. Yes I worked Rowntrees back in 1965, on sterling road just for a short time but it was very hot.while going to work in the mornings walking down dundas what a beautiful smell of chocolate. short time later i got a job at the grinnell company it was a foundry tha people was really great to me. Leaving a little town i n Newfoundland it wasen,t easy coming to a big city, at a young age. me and some of my buddies used to go down to high park, we had some great times there I have some fond memories of Toronto. Keep Smiling ,,, Don
gone but not forgotten
Hi Joanne.
Nice to hear from you. Hope the your family and sister's are doing well. My mother keeps me updated on your mom and dad. I last met your parents at my parent's 50th anniverserylast winter. Even had Tony and Marie's parent, the Valentis, at the party. It was like a reunion.
I've been meaning to come by and say hi at the old store and maybe take wake around the old neibourhood. My cousins still live at my grandparents place on Perth, but I haven't had the desire to visit the house since their death--it wouldn't feel the same.
Say hi to everyone for me.
Love Vince
gone but not forgotten
Hi old friend Vince
It is so true you never leave your roots.
I always felt like I was missing something is my adult life.
But after opening up Nonna's Place it is as if I was back home and a kid again. We had something very special growing up in this neighbourhood.
maybe it was youth or innocence I don't know but it was something.
Say hi to the family
Hugs
Joanne
gone but not forgotten
Ciao amico,
Good to hear from you, been a long time.
Still live in the hood, left for a while, Europe, middle east and other places, but came back. First year my son was born we lived on Gerrard street East and Sherbourne close to my place of work was convenient at the time, but not a place we wanted to raise a child. Opportunity came so I bought a home on Symington, just south from my mom's place same street were I grew up.
Vince there are many who would totally understand what you wrote, because many of us lived it emotionally and physically, but there are many who wouldn't. The neighbourhood has changed in many ways, we don't have all the factories, we have a lot of new development, homes, bike path etc.. Many people have moved away including my own 2 brothers, but there are many who decided to stay and die here, like my dad. But I still see many of the old residents and time to time speak with them.
The people(residents) has changed as well. Mnay young people couple's and family are chosen to make this there home, some for profit, others want to call this neighbourhood their home. There is other stuff but will leave that for another email.
Hey you get a chance look me up on facebook. Take care JF
gone but not forgotten
Hi Jack,
it has been a long time. Grade 3 or 4?
I did see you on TV a few years ago during the regrettable death of Holly. I think I felt as stunned as everyone who still lived in the Junction Triangle over what happened and thought what more could this neighbourhood and its people endure. I wonder if that was the catalyst for the coming together of the neighbourhood.
Funny that you use the term 'hood' to refer to the Junction Triangle. It is a term that I have also taken to using in the past few years when I tell my freinds about the area where I grew up. It is a source of endless(for me) discussions and anlysis. In university the neighbourhood was a constant in the stories and poems that I wrote for creative writing class. But also to draw comparisons of what it was like to live in the hood as opposed to the burbs or even certain other neighbourhoods that I have worked in as a house painter.
My daughter wants go on the computer so must say bye for now.
Vince