Meet Len
Leonardo Varrasso, better known as “Len” is an Italian immigrant, long-time educator, and dedicated family man who immigrated to Hamilton in 1949 at the age of seven. Originally from Abruzzi (a region in southern Italy), Len, his siblings and his mother were one of many families leaving Europe for better opportunities abroad following World War II.
Arrival in Canada brought his first encounter with Canadian winter, a reunion with his father and enrolling in a new school system where he had to learn a new language and culture. Among many childhood memories, Len remembers translating the Hamilton Spectator for his non-English speaking family members and connecting with both Canadian-born and immigrant children through sports.
As an adult, Len dedicated his life to education, working as a teacher in several schools in Hamilton, eventually becoming a high school principal. His experience as a newcomer child helped him to relate to and support his diverse student body, many of whom experienced similar challenges decades later. Most recently, Len received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the City of Hamilton’s Senior of the Year awards for his outstanding service.
Having lived in Canada now for more than 70 years, Len is a proud Hamiltonian - it is the place he grew up, started his career and raised his family
Migration Context:
Postwar immigration from continental Europe had a profound effect on Hamilton’s population, economy and diversity. With the end of World War II, the local economy began to grow quickly and required new sources of labour. Hamilton’s booming manufacturing sector, particularly the steel industry, provided opportunities for workers who could learn skills and English on the job. These job opportunities and attracted many workers and their families from abroad.
The lifting of restrictions on Italian immigration in 1947 spurred a large wave of Italian migration to Hamilton, bolstered by a bilateral agreement with Italy allowed for sponsorship of family members. Many took advantage, leaving a war-torn Europe for Canada and in 1958-59 for the first time more Italians came to Canada than did people from Great Britain. Hamilton’s Italian population grew from 6,000 in 1951 to 17,500 by 1961. The vast majority of this immigration was permanent, family migration.
During the 1960s, more southern and central Europeans arrived, including from Portugal, Greece, Poland, and the Balkans. Throughout this period, driven by the affordability, proximity to employment, and existing ethnic populations, immigrants settled in Barton Street East neighbourhoods of Hamilton. Italians and Portuguese also populated the James Street North area.
Italian immigrants often faced discrimination in education and employment but have nonetheless excelled in areas of education, business, and politics leaving an indelible mark on our city.
