Thursday, July 15, 2004
A letter from Jon D'Angelo
Hello Mr. Craig,
This is Jon D'Angelo here. Hope you have some vague memory of me squirreling around your home in the mid-to-late seventies dating your daughter Nancy. I have been aware of your public advocacy since your retirement toward changes needed in the judicial system and applaud your efforts.
Your recent commentary in the Sun, regarding a former judge David Ramsay, was a breath of fresh air. I hope you continue your dialog publicly wherever you can, as it may wake up the local consciousness effecting change to this current criminal justice system.
Some time ago I read your book and found it to be quite a journey. It was simply outstanding. I particularly liked the historical aspects of the city you described.
I will never forget the day I suffered from cold sweats, stress and tension when the time came to pick up Nancy for a date. It was to be my first meeting with you. She had painted quite a picture of you, albeit somewhat eclectic and for some reason I was simply terrified. The closer I came to the front door at your east 22nd home, the harder it was to place one foot in front of the other. Fortunately my interest in Nancy kept up my courage and helped my heart keep pumping as I approached the door. After a quick knock, you immediately opened the door and, with a broad smile and hand extended, graciously welcomed me. I was disarmed in one fell swoop. That wasn't so bad, I thought, I can do this.
As I read your book I couldn't help revisiting memories I had of being around your home. However my memory is either a big fog or I was so completely self-absorbed that I had no real idea what you were going through in your career. Other than finding you digging in the garden every time I showed up, you gave no indication of the significant experiences you had to deal with as you began your judicial career.
I wish I had had more sense and maturity at the time to talk more with you about your upbringing and your experiences. It would have been wonderful to hear more of those stories.
My parents, who are both still doing well at 84 and 80, taught me all the basics of family decency but could not really guide me through the dynamics of life in our North American society and particularly Vancouver. In hindsight a fair bit more mentoring would have been of great help to me considering the number of times I have landed on my face.
Again I support your public advocacy toward judicial change. And a personal story I am about to relate makes me wish even more that your efforts succeed.
In 1956, a year before I was born, my parents were living in a small wartime house at 2nd and Chesterfield in North Vancouver. Only four years prior my father landed in Vancouver, suitcase in hand and pennies in his pocket. In time he became a contractor building homes and word of his success got back to relatives in Italy. It began what would be a twenty-year effort assisting any family members and friends and relatives to settle and productively assimilate with far less struggle than he had endured. (My father is my best friend for a number of reasons).
One day my mother's first cousin on her mother's side wrote to say she and her new phonsay (fiance) Antonio Balducci wanted to come to Vancouver. Arrangements were made for them but her phonsay insisted that they wanted no handouts and he would pay for accommodation. He also asked my father to find them an apartment. My mother was beside herself. Cramped as our home was she could not allow her mother's first cousin to live anywhere other than under her roof until she was married and settled.
Wishing to please Mom, my Dad simply jacked up the house and built a basement suite. The rental cost was $60 a month. Their wedding reception was at our home, all expenses paid. Mom and Dad were maid of honor and best man. Eventually my parents became godparents to their three daughters.
My father employed Mr. Balducci and then helped him start his own landscaping company. As the years passed my father helped him bring over his three brothers who all became very successful. Antonio Balducci did very well financially and with the help of his brothers the company grew tenfold. My father provided his labour and his companies labour for free when they decided to build their first luxury home in North Vancouver.
It was located at the corner of 19th and Grand Boulevard and it is still there, but has not been kept up to its original pristine condition. The whole interior was hand stuccoed by my father, it was a beautiful home at the time. The house right next door is still the residence of my father's only remaining brother, Ted. It was another home built by my father.
As the company flourished the Balducci's became millionaires. The majority of the rock wall work stretching from West Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay along the upper levels freeway was done by Mr. Balducci and his company and is an example of his work.
Twenty-six years ago they decided to cash in and moved to Abbotsford. Their wish was to travel the world. From the jungles of Brazil to camel riding in Egypt, to walking the Great Wall and lounging in Red Square, they did it. In love and living life the as they wished. Last month, at the end of a three-month back-packing trip in Spain, France and England they were picked up at the Vancouver airport by their son-in-law. When just five minutes from home their vehicle was broadsided by a SUV carrying four young men fleeing the police.
Mrs. Balducci, age 68, was killed. Mr. Antonio Balducci, age 70, with broken ribs, a broken pelvis and fractured leg, dragged himself from the vehicle and held his wife in his arms as she died.
Their son-in-law was unconscious and sustained internal injuries causing kidney failure days later.
The police had received a call that an individual had been held at gunpoint and robbed. One police car gave chase to the suspect vehicle but had to terminate the pursuit one block before the fatal accident. The officer saw the SUV run a red light and broadside the Balducci vehicle. Two loaded handguns were found at the scene.
Charges of criminal negligence causing death do not sit well with any of the family, their relatives and friends. To them it was murder. Needless to say everyone feels the four men will get off easy.
Again I wish there were more voices like yours out there. I commend you on your efforts and hope you have the will to continue. I also hope this new generation has the purpose of mind to change the system for the better.
All the best Mr. Craig. I hope you don't mind me contacting you.
Jon D'Angelo
July 7, 2004.
This is Jon D'Angelo here. Hope you have some vague memory of me squirreling around your home in the mid-to-late seventies dating your daughter Nancy. I have been aware of your public advocacy since your retirement toward changes needed in the judicial system and applaud your efforts.
Your recent commentary in the Sun, regarding a former judge David Ramsay, was a breath of fresh air. I hope you continue your dialog publicly wherever you can, as it may wake up the local consciousness effecting change to this current criminal justice system.
Some time ago I read your book and found it to be quite a journey. It was simply outstanding. I particularly liked the historical aspects of the city you described.
I will never forget the day I suffered from cold sweats, stress and tension when the time came to pick up Nancy for a date. It was to be my first meeting with you. She had painted quite a picture of you, albeit somewhat eclectic and for some reason I was simply terrified. The closer I came to the front door at your east 22nd home, the harder it was to place one foot in front of the other. Fortunately my interest in Nancy kept up my courage and helped my heart keep pumping as I approached the door. After a quick knock, you immediately opened the door and, with a broad smile and hand extended, graciously welcomed me. I was disarmed in one fell swoop. That wasn't so bad, I thought, I can do this.
As I read your book I couldn't help revisiting memories I had of being around your home. However my memory is either a big fog or I was so completely self-absorbed that I had no real idea what you were going through in your career. Other than finding you digging in the garden every time I showed up, you gave no indication of the significant experiences you had to deal with as you began your judicial career.
I wish I had had more sense and maturity at the time to talk more with you about your upbringing and your experiences. It would have been wonderful to hear more of those stories.
My parents, who are both still doing well at 84 and 80, taught me all the basics of family decency but could not really guide me through the dynamics of life in our North American society and particularly Vancouver. In hindsight a fair bit more mentoring would have been of great help to me considering the number of times I have landed on my face.
Again I support your public advocacy toward judicial change. And a personal story I am about to relate makes me wish even more that your efforts succeed.
In 1956, a year before I was born, my parents were living in a small wartime house at 2nd and Chesterfield in North Vancouver. Only four years prior my father landed in Vancouver, suitcase in hand and pennies in his pocket. In time he became a contractor building homes and word of his success got back to relatives in Italy. It began what would be a twenty-year effort assisting any family members and friends and relatives to settle and productively assimilate with far less struggle than he had endured. (My father is my best friend for a number of reasons).
One day my mother's first cousin on her mother's side wrote to say she and her new phonsay (fiance) Antonio Balducci wanted to come to Vancouver. Arrangements were made for them but her phonsay insisted that they wanted no handouts and he would pay for accommodation. He also asked my father to find them an apartment. My mother was beside herself. Cramped as our home was she could not allow her mother's first cousin to live anywhere other than under her roof until she was married and settled.
Wishing to please Mom, my Dad simply jacked up the house and built a basement suite. The rental cost was $60 a month. Their wedding reception was at our home, all expenses paid. Mom and Dad were maid of honor and best man. Eventually my parents became godparents to their three daughters.
My father employed Mr. Balducci and then helped him start his own landscaping company. As the years passed my father helped him bring over his three brothers who all became very successful. Antonio Balducci did very well financially and with the help of his brothers the company grew tenfold. My father provided his labour and his companies labour for free when they decided to build their first luxury home in North Vancouver.
It was located at the corner of 19th and Grand Boulevard and it is still there, but has not been kept up to its original pristine condition. The whole interior was hand stuccoed by my father, it was a beautiful home at the time. The house right next door is still the residence of my father's only remaining brother, Ted. It was another home built by my father.
As the company flourished the Balducci's became millionaires. The majority of the rock wall work stretching from West Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay along the upper levels freeway was done by Mr. Balducci and his company and is an example of his work.
Twenty-six years ago they decided to cash in and moved to Abbotsford. Their wish was to travel the world. From the jungles of Brazil to camel riding in Egypt, to walking the Great Wall and lounging in Red Square, they did it. In love and living life the as they wished. Last month, at the end of a three-month back-packing trip in Spain, France and England they were picked up at the Vancouver airport by their son-in-law. When just five minutes from home their vehicle was broadsided by a SUV carrying four young men fleeing the police.
Mrs. Balducci, age 68, was killed. Mr. Antonio Balducci, age 70, with broken ribs, a broken pelvis and fractured leg, dragged himself from the vehicle and held his wife in his arms as she died.
Their son-in-law was unconscious and sustained internal injuries causing kidney failure days later.
The police had received a call that an individual had been held at gunpoint and robbed. One police car gave chase to the suspect vehicle but had to terminate the pursuit one block before the fatal accident. The officer saw the SUV run a red light and broadside the Balducci vehicle. Two loaded handguns were found at the scene.
Charges of criminal negligence causing death do not sit well with any of the family, their relatives and friends. To them it was murder. Needless to say everyone feels the four men will get off easy.
Again I wish there were more voices like yours out there. I commend you on your efforts and hope you have the will to continue. I also hope this new generation has the purpose of mind to change the system for the better.
All the best Mr. Craig. I hope you don't mind me contacting you.
Jon D'Angelo
July 7, 2004.
