Growing up on a farm in Northern Italy, John Franco developed an appreciation for creating things with his hands and quality craftsmanship. In a community that was still recovering from the aftermath of World War II, resources were limited, but creativity and determination thrived. At just ten years-old, John and two classmates discovered how to make bricks using materials from a nearby riverbed and built a small house. This early experience would set the stage for a lifetime dedicated to building quality pieces that would stand the test of time.
While in school, it was often a challenge for John to stay focused as his attention was drawn by the rumbles from the local motorbike factory. The sounds of revving engines and sights of bikes racing around the track ignited his passion for mechanics. After finishing high school, John spent three years in technical school training to be a mechanic. He went on to secure a job at Laverda, a renowned Italian manufacturer of high-performance motorcycles where he even built his own 1953 Laverda 75CC.
New beginnings in Canada
In 1956, John made the decision to immigrate to Canada, bringing his skills and work ethic with him. He found a job as a labourer with Doyle Construction, and it wasn’t long before they could see his potential. In John, they recognized the qualities of a future working foreman and project manager and they encouraged him to gain skills at the newly established British Columbia Vocation School, which would later be renamed British Columbia Institute of Technology. At their suggestion, he enrolled in 1964 joining 30 others in the part-time Carpentry program. With classes held twice a week in the evenings from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, the flexibility made it possible for John to continue working full-time while he earned his diploma.
For the next four years, John balanced work with his studies, dedicating his evenings to learning new skills which would help to elevate his career. The program cumulated with a full-time commitment in the final month, allowing John to fully immerse himself in the coursework.
“It gave me the opportunity to learn a trade which helped me to improve my lifestyle,” says John.
There was a sense of camaraderie in the classroom with diverse classmates who, like John, were mature and driven professionals. They shared a spirit of healthy competition as they vied for top marks.
“I enjoyed my experience immensely”, explains John. “I loved learning new things and applying math to construct buildings, draining, estimating, and surveying. The instructors were knowledgeable and had so much real-life work experience to share.”
Turning knowledge into craftsmanship
The education John gained was not all about becoming a project manager. It was about mastering a trade and understanding the pride that comes with craftsmanship.
“If you learn a trade properly whether it be carpentry, electrical, plumbing or another, you can see the value you’re able to create,” explains John. “To me, trades offer the ability to make a decent living while providing the satisfaction of producing a tangible, quality product.”
A lifetime of building
John’s career with Doyle Construction spanned 30 years during which he focused on building and upgrading small hotels, warehouses, commercial buildings such as BC Sugar, and resurfacing the Lion’s Gate Bridge. He also managed to find time to design, build, and renovate nine homes, including his own and those for his three daughters, in the Greater Vancouver area using the skills he learned both in the classroom and on the job.
“As long as you’re interested and you pay attention to doing things properly, you can pick up the necessary skills to succeed,” says John.
With a successful decades-long career behind him, John’s passion continues to drive him. A few years ago, encouraged by his son-in-law, John had his beloved Laverda 75CC shipped from Italy and lovingly restored it by applying the same care and precision he had always brought to his work. For John, it is not about the task at hand, but about creating something lasting and meaningful, a testament to a legacy of skill and dedication that endures through the years.
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Photo caption: John Franco showing off his Laverda 75CC with daughter and BCIT employee Linda Franco (left) and Motorcycle Technician Department Head, Amanda Koehler (centre).