Brightside Memories

10/13/2026

I'm quite sure there are more than a few Brightsiders named in this Stelco Quarter Century list published in 1949 for service completed in 1948. Who do you see?

10/08/2026

Rest in peace, Ezio SETTIMI. "Ezio grew up in what was known as the “Brightside” community in the north end of Hamilton."

View Ezio Settimi's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

09/30/2026

The Bartolini sisters: Donna, Linda, and Laura. Daughters of Mario and Eileen (nee Jensen) Bartolini. Does anyone remember these lovely young children ... ???

09/25/2026

Remembering Fardella's "Brightside Grocery" by Joe Bartolacci.

Yes, I remember Fardella's extremely well!
In the front door, the magazine and comic book racks were on the right wall; the candy and ice cream were behind a waist-high glass case so you could pick out your favorite candy through the glass. The ice cream and popsicles were in a freezer behind the counter to the right. Fresh fruit (apples, oranges, lemons, and bananas only) was in the front window, with canned foods in the middle aisles. Milk and butter were in a cooler behind the counter to the left of the ci**rs and ci******es.
A few memories-
After collecting and cashing in bottles, we could get a grab bag for 5 cents (always a surprise; they might have licorice pipes, black babies, bubble gum, Licking Sticks, or jujubes. They had a small gift section as well. I remember at Christmas buying my grade 6 teacher, Miss Grigolas, a plastic pearl necklace and earrings in a red fluffy box. I had a crush on her. She made me take it back.
I was my Mother's runner. If there was no milk left in the morning, my Mother would have me run to Fardella’s. If the door was locked, she told me to knock on the side door of their residence. Mrs. Fardella was not pleased and told me to remind my Mom that they opened at 8 AM. Another trip I remember well was a run for bananas for our lunch bags. My Mom only gave me 10 cents, and I was so worried that I wouldn't have enough money for the bananas. I did – 3 bananas for 10 cents.
Mr. Fardella was a bit of a sourpuss. Kids were always nervous of him. He smoked White Owl Ci**rs, sat in the right-hand corner on a stool, reading the paper. When he was working and you turned in bottles, he would only cash in pop bottles that he sold. If you brought in a brand he didn't sell, he wouldn't pay for them. He also didn't like kids gathering in front of his store, but he was happy to sell us pea shooters and balsa wood flyers. His wife, meanwhile, would not sell you a pea shooter unless your Mother gave you permission. If you lied, your Mother would know by the next day.
All great Memories.

09/24/2026

From Joe Bartolacci, born and raised on Leeds Street in the old Brightside neighbourhood in Hamilton, Ontario.

Dear Councillor Nann,
I am deeply disappointed to hear that progress on starting Brightside Park's construction has been further delayed. I am a 78-year-old Brightsider, born and raised at 42 Leeds Street, until we were evicted for a parking lot.
I am living with an incurable form of Cancer that is being held in abeyance by great pharmaceuticals, but it won’t last forever.
One of my Bucket List items is to attend the opening of Brightside Park. I don't know if I have three years left in me. What do we need to do to accelerate this opening? I am one of the youngest of the surviving Brightside residents. In three years, will there be any survivors to attend the opening and dedication?
Please do not leave us as forgotten residents! Please open this park while there are still a few of us left!!
Respectfully,
Joe Bartolacci
[email protected]

09/24/2026

Brightside’s strongest advocate, John Michaluk, has penned a “Letter to the Editor” of the Hamilton Spectator, expressing his deep disappointment with the slow progress toward establishing a Memorial Park in the Stipley neighbourhood — a park dedicated to preserving the memory of what was once a proud, decidedly blue-collar enclave. Read it here:

20260921 Re: Brightside Park – by John Michaluk

Disappointed, that's how those of us born and raised in the Brightside neighbourhood feel about the City's continuing delay in developing Brightside Park. Now in our 80s and 90s, we are a vanishing species. We had hoped to enjoy the Park during our lifetime.
We were elated more than five years ago, when the City agreed to establish the Park, to recognize our former thriving and storied neighbourhood. Since the early 1900's the area has been a home for generations of largely immigrant families, who have been the backbone of Hamilton's once dominant and ambitious manufacturing base.
Delays in the City's progress to develop the Park have been a regular occurrence. At one time, there was a concern about an underground river that ran through the property. Now, there are concerns about suspected harmful environmental waste on the property, the eventual cleanup costs, and the uncertainty regarding construction funding. Several questions arise. How was it that the City agreed on a purchase price for the land without first determining the extent of the environmental hazard and the cost to remediate the site? Who did the due diligence before taxpayers' funds were spent? Has the City notified residents of the Stipley neighbourhood, which abuts the Park, about the potential environmental hazards? Does the province have a timeline for environmental approvals?
With construction planned to start in 2028 and a possible three-year period to clean up the site, Brightside Park might not open until 2031! Preposterous might be a more appropriate word to describe the City's action regarding the Brightside Park affair. Hamilton was once Canada's fourth-largest city. It's now the tenth. If you can't rely on the City Council to build a Park, how can you rely on them to build a City? Time to sweep out the old?
John Michaluk, 50 Governor's Rd, Dundas, ON

08/19/2026

Congratulations are in order for my very good friend, Diane Morelli who recently became a Great Grandmother. Pictured here with her Great Granddaughter, Suzanne! God bless you both!!

08/19/2026

A good friend reminded me today that it's been 5 years since this flagship Blast Furnace - Stelco's 'E' Blast Furnace was unceremoniously demolished. By August of 2021, demolition was already well underway, yet it would take an entire year to hide the evidence. The following words are from the Brightside Rambler: " ...it was demolished in August of 2021-cratered into a massive heap of rubble… …Canada’s largest blast furnace and a magnificent structure that dominated the view from one end of Sherman Ave to the other, sadly gone forever! … Who knew it was to be destroyed? ... Did Stelco announce its intention?… Why would the City grant a demolition permit?…all unanswered questions then and now…
…Stelco ownership once again acted without regard or transparency…ownership chose to simply obliterate a piece of history…they and the City were complicit again, just as they were years ago in obliterating the storied and historic Brightside neighbourhood.. ..interestingly, the City of Bethlehem, Pa chose to preserve key structures of the US Steel plant that dominated their City’s skyline including its blast furnace…today, by some measures Bethlehem, Pa is one of the US’s top ten tourist destinations..
…pity our City once again lacked that foresight and today considers once again desecrating the waterfront for even more generations by contemplating the massive intrusion of mega data centres on the Stelco lands which will again deny access by people to the Bay front… …most successful cities have realized the folly of their past choice to preclude access to waterfront …more and more communities have reclaimed their waterfront and converted it to public spaces…many local governments have come to realize when you destroy the waterfront, you destroy the city-we’ve done that in Hamilton!…E furnace could have been the centre piece of Hamilton’s revival!… …and so too, could the opening of the new Brightside Park at Gage Av and Lloyd St!...more than five years ago, the City agreed to build the Park but today it’s still just another pile of rubble-just like the pile of rubble at E furnace…later " Photo courtesy of Todd Burse

03/21/2026

Rest in peace, Sandy MICHALUK. Beloved wife of John for over 60 years. "Sandy lived her life with grace, simplicity and caring love."

View Sandra Gail Michaluk (nee Bogle)'s obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/21/2026

Rest in peace, Irma (Gris) ADORANTI. "She was full of life, light, joy, and quiet strength."

Irma Maria (Gris) ADORANTI Obituary
August 6, 1926 - March 17, 2026

Irma passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026, in her 100th year. She is now reunited with her one and only, Jack (Smokey.) She leaves behind a deeply devoted family: her children Marian, Lori, and Michael (Maggio) and Gregory and Beatrice; her cherished grandchildren Christopher, Marie and Steven, Natalie, and Daniel and Michelle, who affectionately called her Gramsie; her treasured great-grandchildren Raleigh and Lauren; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was full of life, light, joy, and quiet strength. She was the kindest and gentlest soul, and her greatest joy in life was always her family. A volunteer of over 40 years at Henderson Hospital alongside her late sister, Lita, she had a way of making everyone feel deeply loved, creating a warmth that will stay with those who knew her forever.

She found happiness in life's simple pleasures, especially her daily walks. She never learned how to drive, but she didn't need to. She carried herself through life with independence, grace, and a spirit that never slowed down. She also had a fondness for a good shot of Baileys, which she enjoyed with a smile.

To her grandchildren, she will always be remembered for the way she sang "I love you a bushel and a peck," a small but powerful expression of the love she gave so freely.

Irma's legacy is one of love, gentleness, and enduring connection. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on in the family she cherished and the memories they will carry forward.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the dedicated staff at Ridgeview LTC for the attentive and compassionate care they provided to Irma.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 22nd, from 2 - 4 p.m. at Bay Gardens Hamilton, 947 Rymal Road East, Hamilton. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 23rd, at 10 a.m., at Incarnation of Our Blessed Lord Parish, 400 Pottruff Road North, Hamilton. Entombment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 600 Spring Gardens Rd., Burlington.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Alzheimer's Society or a charity of your choice.

Published on March 21, 2026.

Visit Bay Gardens Hamilton to see the obituary, events and guestbook.