Franco, a hundred extraordinary years
TORONTO – Francesco Salvatore Menniti, “Franco,” has turned 100 years old. He emigrated to Canada in 1957 at the age of 31, leaving Italy where he had served as a Carabiniere. He built his life in Toronto, becoming a dedicated worker and family man, raising five children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His large and loving family will celebrate him tomorrow, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Toronto, with a grand party in his honor. Here is his story, shared with us by his family, who helped him blow out the birthday candles on April 1. Congratulations and happy birthday, Franco!
This year, on April 1st, we gather to honor a remarkable man, Francesco Salvatore Menniti, as he reaches the incredible milestone of his 100th birthday. Born in the small town of Tiriolo (Catanzaro), Italy, Franco’s early years were filled with the rich traditions of Italian culture, where family and hard work were at the heart of everyday life. Along with his brother Giulio, Franco became a Carabiniere (in the pic below) and served for seven years in the south of Italy; this was the honour of his life, only superseded by later becoming a husband, father and grandfather.
In 1956, at the age of 30, Franco made a courageous decision that would change the course of his life and the lives of his family: with dreams of a better future, he immigrated to Canada, following his soon-to-be wife Maria. Arriving in Toronto, he faced many challenges adapting to a new country, but his determination and resilience shone through. Franco adapted to his new surroundings, taking on blue-collar work, which he approached with the same dedication he had shown in his previous career. Franco and Maria’s home in the Christie Pits neighbourhood was always bursting with life as relatives from Italy came to follow in their footsteps. Together with his wife, he sponsored the Menniti and Critelli families, helping them start their new lives in Canada.
As he settled into his new life, Franco built a loving family with Maria, raising five children (Pina, Frank, Vincent, John and Anna, in the pic below with Franco and Maria in 1978) who would carry on his legacy. He instilled in them the values of perseverance, respect, and the importance of family bonds.
Along with being a championship card player, his favourite hobbies were gardening and hunting. Their home became a gathering place, filled with laughter, love, and the aroma of traditional Italian meals that Maria prepared with vegetables from Franco’s garden. Franco was not just a father; he was a guiding light, always ready with advice, a warm hug, or a story from his past. He transported Italian traditions to his new home by making wine, tomato sauce, cracked olives, sausages and prosciutto with his entire family.
As the years pass, Franco and Maria’s family continues to grow, welcoming ten grandchildren (Marie, Andrew, Claudine, Daniela, Francesco, D’Angelo, Tristan, Samantha, Jack and Sara) and two great-grandchildren (Mateo and Ava) into the fold. Each new addition brings him immense joy, and he cherishes every moment spent with them. He is known for his playful spirit, often playing games and sharing tales of his youth, ensuring that the family’s rich heritage passes down through generations.
In the photos above – at the top of the article – Franco with his 100th birthday cake and in his Carabinieri’s hat at Villa Leonardo Gambin; here below is a pic of Franco and Maria on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary in 2007
