The document summarizes memories from 1953 to 1963 of the Canadian Madeira Club. It begins with an introduction speech given in June 2013 for the Golden Anniversary celebration. It then lists the names of many of the Portuguese pioneers who arrived in Canada from Madeira in 1953, and discusses the hardships they faced leaving their homeland and working to establish new lives in Canada. It highlights milestones in the founding and development of the Canadian Madeira Club over the decades, including establishing Madeira Park as a place for the community to gather and celebrate their cultural traditions.

3. Memories of 1953 -1963
Introduction Speech by Rose Mary Aguiar
June, 2013
Welcome e Bem Vindos to our
honorable guests, families and friends.
Good evening and thank you for joining us tonight
in celebrating this special occasion
“As Bodas de Ouro”,
the Golden Anniversary of the Canadian Madeira Club.

4. “MEMORIES”
“Whoever forsakes the old ways of life for a new life
knows what he is losing, but not what he will find.”
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the
pioneers who found the courage and strength to cross
the Ocean. One hundred and two men with work
contracts in Canada departed from Funchal, Madeira on
May 26th 1953 and arrived at Pier 21 Halifax, Nova Scotia
aboard the Nea Hellas on June 1 1953 and were not
allowed to disembark until June 2.

5. Leaving their hardships, loved ones and memories
behind them, they were determined to start a
new life and create new friendships in their new
home land. Our country has grown and
prospered thanks to the many men and women
who made Canada their home.
They arrived in Canada with aspirations of a
better life for themselves and their families
with hopes of success and better
opportunities for their children.

6. Their skills, vitality, hard work and many hours of
dedicated labour went into achieving what we
enjoy today from the fruits of their labour which
are greatly appreciated by all.
Over 200 founders pooled their hard earned
money, $20.00 each in 1963 to purchase
Madeira Park also known as the Farm to
continue in their traditional ways of their
forsaken homeland by celebrating the feasts
that they so loved and missed.

7. They would be proud of our Presidents, past and present
with the support of Directors and our Community as we
today have carried on their dreams and progressed with
their visions throughout the years. Without these
committed members we would not today own the
Canadian Madeira Club and Madeira Park.
This evening, we dedicate the slide presentation to the
Pioneers in appreciation of their devotion and faith in
fulfilling their dreams by showing our guests, families
and friends these slides of Madeira Park in the past and
the present as a tribute to what we all have achieved
today.
Thank you e Obrigada

8. Saturnia May 13, 1953
Nea Hellas June 1, 1953

10. S.S. Nea Hellas, June 1953

16. On right, Jose Sabino Gouveia, socio #145

17. Abel da Silva
Abel Vespera
Adelino Esteves
Adriano Alves
Adriano H L Ferreira

18. Niagara Region 1953, the newly arrived
Portuguese immigrants working on the farm

19. Juvenal de Freitas, Manuel da Siva,
Arnaldo Figueira, Antoninho da Siva,
Joao e Alvaro Ferreira in Vineland 1953

21. The original
receipt for each
member„s $20
contribution
towards the
purchase of
Madeira Park
The original
membership
cards issued
for Canadian
Madeira Club

22. Agostinho Goncalves
Agostinho de Castro
Agostinho Martinho
Agostinho da Silva
Agostinho de Sousa

23. Third from the left, Joao Martinho de Vasconcellos
socio #114
First BBQ pit constructed for Madeira Park

24. Laurentino Mendes, socio #176 July 1964

25. Timeline 1963-2013
21 de Julho de 1963
• Realiza-se a primeira reunião da Assembleia
no 346 Spadina Ave.
• São eleitos os primeiros membros directivos
• O nome do clube é decidido e aprovado como
“Madeira Country Club”
• A compra de um terreno é aprovado em
reunião da Assembleia
(futura localidade do Madeira Park)

26. Timeline 1963 -2013
July 21 1963
• The 1st meeting of the Assembly takes place at
346 Spadina Ave
• Managing officers are elected
• The Club‟s name is decided on and approved
as “Madeira Country Club”
• The purchase of land is approved in the
meeting (future site of Madeira Park)

27. Right side, Zita Alves, daughter of the late
Joao Goncalves (Bolo), socio #103

29. Right side, Carlos da Silva Patricio, socio #51, 1964

30. Alberto de Caires
Albino de Sousa
Alex Jardin
Alfredo Bacalhau
Alvaro de Faria

31. First
Procession,
Festa da Monte
August 1965

32. Madeira Park before the trees were cleared

35. Right side, Laurentino Mendes, socio #176, 1964

36. Alvaro Ferreira
Alvaro Fernandes Bacalhau
Alvaro Spinola
Angelo Bacalhau
Angelo Ferreira

37. On Right side, Mary Jane Mendes, daughter of
Laurentino Mendes playing by the creek wearing the
traditional Madeira boots. 1964

42. Antonio Luiz Barreto
Antonio F Belo
Antonio Belo
Antonio Cabouco
Antonio Correia

45. 5 de Abril de 1964
• Novos estatutos são aprovados para o clube
• O nome do clube é mudado para
“Canadian Madeira Club”
• O clube executa a compra de um terreno
e da-lhe o nome de Madeira Park
• Admissão ao parque é estipulada em
.50 cents para não sócios

46. April 5 1964
•New regulatory rules are approved for the club
•The club name is changed to
“Canadian Madeira Club”
•The club acquires land and calls it Madeira Park
•Entrance fees for the Park are to be
50 cents for non members

49. Rose Mary, Bela and Rita Ferreira, daughters of
the late Alvaro Ferreira, socio #16

50. Antonio Farinha
Antonio de Freitas
same as 27
Antonio Arnaldo Freitas
Antonio Gomes

53. From left side, the late Carlos Patricio, socio #51,
Agnes Patricio and Joao M. Vasconcellos, socio #114

56. Antonio de Moura
Antonio Pestana Henriques
same as 32
Antonio Texeira Mendes
Antonio Nunes

62. Antonio Placido (son)
Antonio Placido (father))
Antonio Texeira
Antonio Texeira Vespera
Armando Alves

64. William, nephew of Marcelino de Castro, socio 209

66. Original Bazzar

67. Present Remodeled Bazzar

68. In centre,
Carlos
(Charlie)
Alves,
socio #45

69. Armando dos Santos
Arnaldo Figueira
Avelino Gomes
Avelino Fernandes
Carlos Alves

72. 3 de Outubro de 1965
• O clube é oficialmente registado nas leis
do Ontario
October 3 1965
• The Club is officially registered

76. Carlos M de Castro
Carlos Couto
Carlos Gomes
Carlos de Gouveia
Carlos de Gouveia

82. Carlos da Silva Patricio
Carlos Rodrigues
Celestino de Brito
Celestino Rodrigues
Cesar de Andrade

83. The Garage

85. 10 de Junho de 1967
• O local de reuniões é mudado para
558 Adelaide St. West
• A construcão de um parque de diversões
para crianças é aprovado
• São formados os primeiros planos
para a compra de uma sede

86. June 10 1967
• The meeting house is relocated to
558 Adelaide St W
• Construction of the children‟s playground
is approved
• The first plans are put into place to
purchase a club house

90. Cesar de Freitas
Claudio Baptista
Crescencio Jose Ferreira
Doroteia Alves
Diniz Antonio Cabouco

91. The Dance Floor, early 2000

92. Present Dance Floor

96. Dionisio Francisco
Dulce de Franca
Eduardo Costa
Eduardo Mendonca
Elias Goncalves

100. Fernao Ferreira
Fernando Baptista
Fernando Belo
Fernando Freitas
Fernando Gomes

101. A monument for the 50th year in honour of the first
Portuguese pioneers arriving in Canada, June 1953

106. Fernando Goncalves
Fernando H Moura
Fernnando Nobrega
Fernando A Silva
Fortunato Teixeira

111. Nossa Senhora do Monte
Our Lady of the Mountain

112. Procession of Our Lady of the Mountain

113. Francisco Gouveia
Francisco F Marques
Francisco Pereira
Francisco Rodrigues
Ferreira da Silva

115. The Botanical Garden

117. 6 de Maio de 1973
• A construção de uma garagem no
parque é aprovada
May 6 1973
• Construction of a garage for the park
is approved

119. The original
Barraca de Carne,
The Meat Tent
Espetada, Madeira beef
cooked on a bayleaf stick,
a traditonal Madeiran
cuisine

120. Frank Serrao
Gastao F de Freitas
Gilberto de Araujo
Gregorio Augusto Fernandes
Heliodoro Rodrigues

125. Henriques Barros Henriques
Honorio Pereira
Ilidio O Araujo
Jaime de Gouveia
Jaime Patricio

131. Joao Abreu
Joao de Aguiar
Joao Tiago Alves
Joao T Barreto
Joao F Belo

137. Joao Camarata
Joao Mao Cheia
Joao F Escorcio
Joao F M Francisco
Joao Ferreira

143. Joao Ferreira
Joao Ferreira
Joao Goncalves (Bolo)
Joao Goncalves (Brazileiro)
Joao Goncalves

146. 10 de Novembro de 1974
• É aprovada a construção de casas de banho
para o parque
Nov 10 1974
• Construction of the washrooms for the
Park is approved

151. Joao Pestana Henriques
Joao Nelson Jardim
Joao M Moniz
Joao Victor de Moura
Joao Ribeiro

156. Joao Silva
Joao Rodrigues (Sucata)
Joao Goncalves Texeira (Madelina)
Joao Martinho de Vasconcellos
Joao Vespera

161. Joao Vieira
Joaquim Gouveia
Joaquim Patricio
Joaquim Silva
Joaquim Vieira

167. Joaquim Vespera
Jorge Goncalves
Jorge Pestana
Jorge Rodrigues
Jose Alves (menino Josezinho)

170. Janeiro de 1983
• O Governo Português oferece os trajes
tradicionais ao rancho folclórico
January 1983
• The traditional costumes for the “Rancho”
(folklore dancing group)is gifted to the
Club by the Portuguese Government

173. Jose Abel Branco
Jose Belo
Jose Rodrigues Caires
Jose Humberto de Castro
Jose Camarata

178. Jose Camacho
Jose Correia
Jose F Dias
Jose de Freitas
Jose de Freitas

184. Jose Fernando T Freitas
Jose Isidoro de Freitas
Jose Fernandes
Jose Ferreira
Jose Ferreira

188. 3 de Maio de 1986
• Foi votado e aprovado a mudança de nome
do clube para “Canadian Madeira
Community and Cultural Centre”
May 3 1986
• A vote is taken and passed to change the
Club name to “Canadian Madeira
Community and Cultural Center”

189. Madeira Park in the Fall

190. Jose Manuel Ferreira
Jose Antonio Gomes
Jose Luis T Gomes
Jose Goncalves
Jose Sabino Gouveia

196. Jose de Jesus
Jose Lucas
Jose Angelo Matos
Jose Correia Marques
Jose de Moura

198. Deolinda and the late Alvaro Ferreira, socio #160

199. From left, the late Oscar Pereira, socio #220 and wife Zita

201. Jose A Nobrega
Jose Clemente de Nobrega
Jose F de Nobrega
Jose de Nobrega
Jose de Nobrega

202. The first
attempt by
the Nunes
family
(Jose Nunes,
socio #158)
of putting
together a
Folklore
Dance Group
(Rancho).

204. From left, Grace, Candy Woodruff, Bela Costa, Paula
Alves and Susan, daughters of founders. Late 1960‟s.

205. On right side,
the late
Manuel da Silva
(massagista)
socio #209

206. In the middle,
Agostinho
Martinho,
socio #8

207. Jose Pedro Nobrega
Jose Luiz Nobrega
Jose Nunes
Jose Raulino Oliveira
Jose Patricio

211. One of the early Madeira Folklore dance group, (Rancho).

213. Jose Almerino P Pinto
Jose de Quintal
Jose A Araujo dos Santos
Jose Alberto Spinola
Jose de Sousa

216. The late Antonio Placido, socio #36 and
his wife, Guiomar (Guida)

217. 19 de Outubro de 1986
• Madeira Club é aprovado para participar nas
celebrações do Dia de Portugal para 1987
Oct 19 1986
• Madeira Club is approved participate in
the celebration of “ Portugal Day” for 1987

219. Jose L de Sousa
Jose A dos Santos Reis
Joe de Abreu
Jordao de Freitas
Jordao Gouveia

221. In the centre, Salome Goncalves, Presidente da Direcao
Executiva, Canadian Madeira Club. 2013

223. Some members
of “Revolution 5”,
rock group. Top
left, Herculano,
son of Joao
Goncalves, socio
#103, Helder and
Joe Ventura

225. Jordao Gouveia
Julio F Pinto
Juvenal Belo
Juvenal de Freitas
Juvenal Gomes

228. Early 1960‟s, driving through the
gates at Madeira Park.

231. Laurindo Gouveia
Laurentino Mendes
Leonel Rodrigues de Jesus
Lourenco Quintal
Lucinda Bacalhau

232. Top row, Tony de Sousa, ?, ?, ?, Antonio Belo #23, ?
Bottom row, Jose Belo #127, the late Jose Antonio Gomes
#142, ?, Jose Luis Gomes #143, Manuel Fernandes #183, ?
Early 1960‟s

233. Top Row, far right, Angelo Bacalhau, socio #19,
Bottom row, far right, Juvenal Belo, socio #172

234. The
Cheerleaders
for the
Soccer game
Singles vs
Married
Solteiros vs
Casadas
Early 1970‟s

235. “Solteiros” Soccer Team. Many are sons and
nephews of the founders. Early 1970‟s.

237. Sao Martinho vs the Rest of Madeira early 1970‟s.
Many of the players are sons or nephews of the founders.

238. The Canadian Madeira Soccer Team
early 1980‟s

241. Luiz M Gomes
Luis deMoura
Americo dos Santos
Manuel Alves
Manuel Camacho

244. Primavera de 1996
• Maria e José Branco patrocinam a
reconstrução da capela do parque
• A nova capela é usada pela primeira vez,
em Agosto, na Festa do Monte
Spring 1996
• Maria & Jose Branco reconstruct the chapel
• The newly finished chapel is used for the
1st time in August for the Festa Do Monte

245. From left, Maria Luisa Goncalves, Linda Ferreira,
daughters of founders

247. Manuel Canhas
Manuel Fernandes
Manuel Fernandes
Manuel de Freitas
Manuel T Freitas

249. From left, Zita, Leonette, Doreen Ferreira and
friends, daughters of Jose Ferreira, socio #140

253. Manuel Frias
Manuel Gomes
Manuel Gomes
Manuel Gomes (do Park)
Manuel Goncalves Figueli

254. Katia Aveiro, Cristiano Ronaldo‟s sister.
Festa do Monte, 2010

256. Festa dos Compadres, late Fall

258. Manuel Gouveia
Manuel Gouveia
Manuel Gouveia
Manuel Firmino de Gouveia
Manuel Henriques (sabao)

259. The late Laurentino Mendes, socio #176, 2009

262. Verão de 2005
• Touradas à corda são efectuadas pela
primeira vez no Madeira Park, por Élio
e Luísa Leal
Summer 2005
• Torradas a Corda are first introduced at
Madeira Park by Elio & Louisa Leal

265. Manuel Medeiros
Manuel Nobrega
Manuel Goncalves Nunes
Manuel Pires Sousa
Manuel Rodrigues

266. A Typical Maderian Style Picnic

268. 2nd from the left, the late Angela Camacho,
wife of the late Manuel Camacho, socio #184

269. One of the earlier Chapels

270. Zita and Maria Luisa Goncalves

271. Manuel Pinto dos Reis
Manuel da Silva (massagista)
Manuel de Sousa
Manuel Vieira
Marcelino de Castro

274. Present Day BBQ Pit

276. Maria Odette Fernandes
Mario de Nobrega
Martinho Fernandes
Martinho Goncalves
Martinho Nunes

280. The Botanical Garden

281. Bird of Paradise
The National Flower of Madeira

284. Martinho R Pereira
Noe de Sousa
Orlando Ferreira
Orlando F de Nobrega
Oscar Alves

287. 2007-2008
• É concluída a construção de um pavimento
de dança acimentado , e um novo e amplo
palco, ambos cobertos.
2007-2008
• Construction of a new cement dance floor
with a large cover stage are placed on hold
• The dance area along with a new canvas
roof are completed

291. Pedro Lucas
Peter de Moura
Ramiro Ribeiro
Rogerio Andrade
Rufino Camarata

297. Festa da Vindema
Pressing grapes to make
unfermented grape juice,
“musto”

301. Salvador Cruz
Sabino Goncalves
Sergio Gouveia
Silvino Vieira
Teodoro Lucas

303. Torradas a Corda at Madeira Park

306. Vasco Cruz
Vidal Araujo dos Santos
Virgilio F Fernandes

311. Verão de 2011
• Uma colecta é tirada no parque, com a
contribuição de voluntários a trabalhar
na manutenção, para uma nova cobertura
para a área da espetada
• 48 novos postes de luz são erguidos
no parque
• A área da cozinha e carne é protegida
por grades de ferro.

312. Summer 2011
• Volunteers working on Park
maintenance take up a collection
for a new roof for the BBQ area
• 48 new light posts are added all
over the Park
• Movable protective gates are added
around the kitchen and meat areas

321. Mary Jane Mendes,
daughter of the late
Laurentino Mendes,
socio 176,
crowned Miss
Canadian Madeira,
1976

326. Relaxing with a bottle of “Red Cap” Beer
after a hard days work at the park

331. On left, Maria, wife of Martinho Goncalves, socio #213,
Zita, wife of Carlos Alves, socio #45

332. On left, Delia, wife of Agostinho Martinho, socio #8