Separated From Santo Book Launch
October 08th, 2025
The upcoming launch of Separated From Santo: The True Story of an Italian-Canadian Internee during the Second World War, (Heritage House $24.95) by Brian Barazzuol with illustrations by Cam Drysdale, invites readers to rediscover a buried part of Canadian history through the lens of one family’s struggle during the Second World War.
The event will be held Sunday, October 19, from 2–4 PM at the Old Mill Boat House in Port Moody, featuring light refreshments, books for sale and opportunities to meet the creative team behind the project.
Blending visual storytelling with historical truth, Separated From Santo follows the true story of Santo and Alice Pasqualini, Italian immigrants who sought a peaceful life in Vancouver only to have their world upended when Santo was arrested and interned as an “enemy alien.” Written by their great-grandson, Brian Barazzuol, the book depicts the family’s endurance, loss and resilience through a vivid graphic narrative.
With a foreword by retired Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci, the book adds depth and context to a dark but important period in Canada’s wartime history. Both authors—high school teachers in Port Coquitlam—worked closely with colourist Alex Doftoreanu, one of their students, whose creative input brings the story to life. 9781772035629
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