March 19, 2010

VINCE VERSACE

Relatives of the men killed in the tunnel collapse react at the unveiling ceremony.

Hogg’s Hollow tragedy | 50 years later

Pride, sadness as Hogg's Hollow memorial unveiled

Quilt will be a permanent tribute to victims of 1960 tunnel disaster

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

The Hogg’s Hollow tragedy memorial quilt now has an official home and it captures the legacy of that construction accident, says the niece of one of the accident victims.

“The quilt does not only pay homage to them (the victims) but also the thousands of immigrant workers who came to Canada with the hopes of building a better life for their families,” says Grace Fusillo-Lombardi, niece of Giovanni Fusillo who died on March 17, 1960 in a watermain tunnel at Hogg’s Hollow.

Breaking Ground, a commemorative quilt depicting the tragedy by Laurie Swim is now displayed in its permanent home at York Mills subway station. Family members of the five victims of the tragedy wiped away tears or held their hands to their mouths as the quilt was revealed behind its glass display.

The 7-foot by 20-foot quilt was made possible through the tireless efforts of COSTI immigration services, Labourers Local 183, the Central Ontario Building Trades and numerous volunteers.

The City of Toronto provided seed money in the form of a Millennium Grant in 2000.

Pasquale Allegrezza, Giovanni Battista Carriglio, Alessandro and Guido Mantella and Fusillo, known as “sandhogs” for the tunnelling work they did, all lost their lives 50 years ago in a Hogg’s Hollow watermain tunnel.

A brutal combination of carbon monoxide poisoning and drowning in silt and water took their lives after a fire started underground.

VINCE VERSACE

Nester Buchinski, who attempted to rescue the victims 50 years ago, with the quilt created by Laurie Swim.

The resulting inquests and mobilization for health and safety reform after their deaths is often regarded as a touchstone moment in Ontario workplace safety improvements.

Fusillo-Lombardi and Swim have both said that COSTI’s work and support, both emotional and financial, at the outset of the project 10 years ago made the realization of a fitting memorial possible. Fusillo-Lombardi, a former COSTI board member, said the immigration services agency was the driving force of the project.

“They have continuously been compassionate, sensitive and honest in their efforts to give the men (Hogg’s Hollow victims) the long overdue tribute they deserve,” she said.

James St. John of the Central Ontario Building Trades recalled at the memorial’s unveiling how he would meet with Jay Peterson, central building trades business manager and Michael O’Brien of Labourers Local 183 at York Mills subway station site as they worked to make the display a reality.

O’Brien said that organizers of the memorial, whether from the union/labour sector or the community, are honoured to be giving something back to the families of the victims.

Fusillo-Lombardi said she struggled with various emotions as the Hogg’s Hollow memorial project began to take shape.

“The emotions were one of sadness and one of pride,” she said.

“The knowledge and detail of that horrible day took away an uncle I would never have a chance to meet. Also, the realization of the death of those five men had changed forever the City of Toronto.”

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