Alfredo Greco was born in 1928 in the northern part of Calabria in the small town of Piane Crati, just southeast of Cosenza. Like most in the south, his family grew up very poor, with little access to education and a limited future if he stayed in the area. He was given the opportunity to train as a professional tailor, so he moved to Torino and learned from the best.
Alfredo came to Canada in 1953, sponsored by his brother Pasquale, and originally settled in Toronto, where he worked for Tip Top Tailors in the iconic location on the Lakeshore. Soon after, Pasquale came to North Bay and Alfredo followed. He worked for Tip Top in North Bay, as well as Kizell’s Men’s Wear, both on Main St., before opening his own business, Alfred the Custom Tailor, in 1960, on MacIntyre St.

One day, Alfredo went to Zimbalatte’s store on Front St. to buy, what else, cigarettes. There he saw Rose Zimbalatte, daughter of Stefano (Tom Frank), who was working a shift. He asked her for a date (either at that time or shortly after). She said no, but undeterred, he responded “Ok, I’ll pick you up at 8”. She must’ve been impressed by this because she went on the date, and two years later they were married on Oct 14, 1957.
Thoughout his time in North Bay, Alfredo was very active with the Davedi Club, involved with the Davedi Garlands, the Bocce program, and helping out with and attending countless events.
Alfredo and Rose had 2 kids, Gabriel Alfred, who settled in London and is retired after working in the Insurance industry, and Anthony Stephen, who lives in Newmarket and is working as a Client Director for a Marketing Services agency.

Alfredo’s entire family came to Canada – brothers Pasquale and Renato settled in North Bay, sister Emma and brother Italo ended up in Toronto, and brothers Antonio and Mario, as well as sister Anna-Maria and his parents Gabriele and Giulia, settled in Sudbury.
Unfortunately, Alfredo never got to meet one of his daughter-in-laws or any of his grandchildren, as he passed away in 1987, two years after retiring.