Alfio FAVAZZA

Story

Alfio Favazza had just returned from the War where he was at the Russian Front and away from Italy for almost 2 years. He was one of two from the thirteen from his village of Gaggi, Sicily who survived the Russian conflict. When he was repatriated back to Sicily he married (1944) and found it difficult to find work, Medical help was rare – he & his wife Vincenza lost the first two born children due to illness (daughters) and therefore he decided to migrated to Australia. A decision that he never regretted, right up to his death in September 2008. He left Sicily leaving his wife and Son Joseph and his many Friends and relatives behind.

The journey to Australia was on the Steam Ship SS Continental which was rough and the ship developed many mechanical problems on the way. Travelling ‘cattle class’ made the journey most difficult although he always said, and believed, that there was a better place awaiting him in Australia.

In Melbourne the ship broke down and Alfio had to borrow money to take a train to Sydney, his final destination.

Arriving in Sydney, with no money, no English language and no friends, he was offered work in a Fruit Shop at Burwood Road Burwood where he learnt the ‘trade’ of Fruiterer, a ‘trade’ he kept until he was 70 years old.

In 1950 he was reunited with his Wife and Son and shortly after after the arrival of another Son, he moved to Melbourne. The first few years in Australia were most difficult as he worked 90 – 100 hours each week right up untill 1972 when he joined Coles and worked a 40 hour week.

Money was always short however he managed to bring up a Family and purchase a beautiful Solid Brick home in Essendon. By 1963 he had his own family Business, a Wife, Two Sons and a Daughter, all of which were successful. He even managed to buy his very first Car in 1959, naturally it was a FJ Holden.

Alfio always said that his decision to migrate to Australia was the best decision he ever made and was always thankful for the opportunities that he and his family were given by this wonderful Country and its wonderful People. He marvelled at the progress of the Automobile, the Aeroplane, Television and Household Appliances, especially those that made his Wife Vincenza’ life easier.

His retirement was spent growing the biggest and best Tomatoes, Broad Beans and other Fruirt & Vegies in his “Bakka Yarda”. His last last Four years were the most difficult having acquired ‘Alzheimer’s Disease’. However he never forgot his Family and his life back in Sicily.

Sadly Alfio Favazza died in September 2008 leaving his wife and Family.

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