Pierre Curzi, the son of Alfredo Curzi, of Italian descent, and Yvonne, his mother, was born in Montreal. He lived on Fabre Street for a few months before the family settled in the Villeray area. He describes himself as a “real Montrealer” like his brothers Jean, Paul and Georges and his sister Louise.
The Montreal Catholic School Commission offered a free classical course.
This course was designed to help financially disadvantaged youth. So, determined, I registered for the entrance exams at my local school and graduated from Saint-Laurent College.
There were different social classes.
College students belonged to a different social class. I wouldn’t say they were arrogant, but they learned that although we were too poor to go to private college, we were intellectually rich.
Your teacher influenced your political decision.
One of my professors at Saint-Laurent College, André Larocque, a former priest, taught us the dark side of politics in our political science class. From that moment I became involved in the sovereignist movement.
The professor has also influenced some of your colleagues.
Some of my colleagues have made their mark in Quebec as doctors, engineers, businessmen and lawyers. When I think about it, I think I would have made a good lawyer. In my class there was also the former parish priest Claude Charron and his friends who became felquists.
You are the son of an Italian immigrant.
My father, the son of an Italian immigrant, was a hardworking man who worked three jobs to support his family: in the restaurant, in the tavern and in the bars. He taught me the importance of working hard.
Sitting in front of the TV with your father.
On Saturday we were spoiled by the Canadian who has won many Stanley Cups. Jean Béliveau was my favorite player. On Sunday afternoon we watched L’Heure des quilles.
Your mother’s role.
She taught me to speak French with a diction that I now consider an asset and to discover the culture around me through books.
what was your first job
I delivered flowers to new moms at Sainte Justine Hospital. After working at Continental Can for six weeks, I vowed I would never work in a factory again because it was too difficult. I have great respect for factory workers.
Did you do a lot of sports?
I didn’t know how to skate, but we played badminton in my backyard, tennis, flag, and branch and branch on the street or in the alley. I earned the respect of my friends through my theatrical performances at school.
You were good at baseball.
Since I had a catcher’s mitt and glove, my friends invited me to go to Jarry Park with them. I played college football, not to mention my brother Paul is one of the founders of the Collegiate Football League.
The famous carrot cake.
One of the cultural discoveries with my friends was the famous carrot cake. However, when my friends came to my house, they discovered how nice it is to taste vegetables.
You are an avid canoeist.
In the summer I attended the joy of life day camp. One of the activities was to swim to the boat in the middle of the lake and then hop on board to be able to go canoeing afterwards. I had a big problem to overcome.
You couldn’t swim!
I swam through the water like a dog with my little paws, but was too tired to get in the boat. The instructors decided that my effort earned me canoeing.
They spent a summer in Lanoraie.
At the age of 12 I left home for the first time to live elsewhere in the province. An unforgettable summer because I discovered the beauty of nature, of the big fields, without forgetting that I saw the Saint Lawrence River for the first time.
They were overwhelmed by the immensity of the Saint Lawrence River.
Simply amazed! I had never before seen a jet of water so powerful that I could not see the end where it stopped flowing. When I got home, I found my neighborhood very small.
Did you do theater at school?
I acted in the play Sins in the Hall by Félix Leclerc, where I interpreted the role of anger. The audience’s enthusiasm for me inspired me to become an actor.
Your father was afraid for you.
He told me that my future in the world of theater was not reassuring until he saw me on TV.
You liked songwriters.
I liked the chansonniers because the lyrics of their songs consisted of lyrics that touched on the reality of life.
popular singers.
I had great difficulty understanding the words of English singers, except for the Beatles. However, pop music did not belong to my universe.
You have wonderful children and grandchildren.
Marie and I form a restored family as I had two children, Alexandre and Mélissa, and my wife Marie, a son, Jérémy. It’s surprising how different they are, but they share a bond that forms a very strong family clan full of values. Our five grandchildren are the continuity of our family clan.
Your spouse is the love of your life.
We are like a mirror that reflects our strengths and weaknesses. Our careers are parallel and we have never argued. We talk to find a solution. Marie Tifo is the love of my life.
