The late Angelo Scarfo has lane named after him
Laneway named after man with strong sense of community.
Councillor Mike Layton, left, joins the Scarfo family Jan. 23 as they unveil a new street sign in the Bathurst and Bloor streets area in memory of Angelo Scarfo.
Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
A laneway near Bathurst and Bloor streets now sports the name of a longtime resident who called the area home for nearly half a century.
Councillor Mike Layton joined the family of the late Angelo Scarfo to officially unveil Scarfo Lane Monday, Jan. 23.
The lane, which runs south off of Herrick Street between Euclid and Palmerston avenues, will recognize the community fixture, who lived in a home, at 609 Euclid Ave., that backed onto the laneway for 48 years and raised his nine children there.
Sam Scarfo, son of the honouree, was near tears after the sign was unveiled to celebrate Angelo Scarfo, who died two years ago.
“I’m speechless,” he said. “I still live in the area and now I’ll get to look at the sign when I drive by here almost every day and it will bring tears to my eyes.”
Angelo Scarfo came to Canada from his native Italy in the 1950s and became well-known and highly respected in the neighbourhood over the half a century that followed. He ensured his children were raised with a strong sense of community values as well.
“He was proud of his wine,” Sam Scarfo said. “All the neighbours would gather (in the laneway) with their garage doors open and share some wine. He was also proud of his tomatoes in tomato season and his garden.”
Angelo Scarfo died March 1, 2010 at the age of 78. He was survived by his wife Stella, who died a year later. In addition to his nine children, he had 24 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Layton said Angelo Scarfo represented what was best about Toronto – the neighbourhoods that helped keep it vibrant.
“Our neighbourhoods aren’t the buildings that are around us,” he said. “They’re the people who come to our city. (People such as Scarfo) are the type of people who build our city and bring their culture.”
Pantalone pointed out Scarfo’s story and his role as a community mainstay was representative of countless others in the city. With roughly half of Toronto’s population born outside Canada, Scarfo Lane serves to honour not just the late Angelo Scarfo, but also all those who have come to Toronto seeking a good life.
“When we name a lane Scarfo Lane, we are honouring Angelo Scarfo, but we’re also honouring every immigrant who has made this city what it is,” he said.
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/1284847–laneway-named-after-man-with-strong-sense-of-community
