Author: SanCassianoConnections
-
Following the footsteps of a San Cassiano emigrant: Montreal, Canada (Part 2)
War Troubles In June 1940, Arcangelo’s life took an unexpected turn. At the time, Montreal’s thriving Italian community centred around Casa d’Italia in what is now known as Petite Italie (Little Italy). In the mid-to-late 1930s, Casa d’Italia had become a political hub for right-wing Italian activists, hosting fundraisers, speeches, and social events[1]. Arcangelo and Adele were regular attendees, even participating…
-
Following the footsteps of a San Cassiano emigrant: Montreal, Canada (Part 1)
The Origins The story of Bernardi & Nieri began as a one-man venture by Lorenzo Nieri (known as “Laurent” in French-speaking Montreal). The first record of the one-man business appears in Lovell’s Montreal Business Directory in 1925–26 [1]. Lorenzo had emigrated from San Cassiano to Montreal in 1906 [2], likely working for other Italian-led figure-making businesses in the city while laying…