Interview with John Edward De Toro

In his second interview John Edward De Toro recounts his experiences growing up in Toronto, and the discrimination he faced by classmates at Fairbank Memorial Elementary School during World War II. He explains that his father spoke with the school’s Principal, Mr. Wheeler, who kindly took measures to make sure the bullying and name calling ended.  He also explains that his father faced discrimination in the workplace at Ontario Hydro in St. Catharines from his coworkers. His father had to physically defend himself from this discrimination and in the end decided to leave his job and start his own paving/concrete company. The De Toro family business that started as a result was called Advance Paving Company Limited. John Edward worked as both an electrician with the City of Toronto and for the family business as a contractor. During his interview he also speaks of the fond memories he has of the Palais Royale from the 1940s to the 50s.