“Along the Way…The Stories I Leave With You”

Presentation by Konrad Eisenbichler. Join us for a heartfelt presentation by Professor Konrad Eisenbichler of “Along the Way…The Stories I Leave With You,” a rich collection of memories by his brother, Wilhelm (Willy) Eisenbichler. The book brings together reflections shaped by a life of challenges and accomplishments, family and friendships, and moments that are both amusing and deeply human. Faced with a terminal diagnosis, Willy sat down to write what he most wanted his young grandchildren to know and remember about him. He shares a life journey that spans continents and decades: from his birth in Austria and childhood in Italy, to his adolescence in Hamilton; from university years at McMaster and Western, to his first full-time position in Weyburn, Saskatchewan; from a long career in Sault Ste. Marie to retirement in London, Ontario. Along the way, Willy reflects on pivotal moments and vivid stories—the riddle of the three babies, his parents’ “time of terror” in their hometown, the adventure of emigrating to Canada by ship, the unexpected advantages of a foreign accent, and more. The result is a series of intimate snapshots, capturing moments as they unfold, told with spontaneity, clarity, and unassuming charm. The presentation will be given by Konrad Eisenbichler, series editor and Willy’s brother; Sheree Wilson, book editor and Willy’s widow; and Alexandra Eisenbichler, author of the intrduction and Willy’s daughter. The evening will also feature a Q&A, with book copies available for purchase while supplies last. Light refreshments will be served. Presented in partnership with Club Giuliano Dalmato di Toronto Bio: Konrad Eisenbichler Konrad Eisenbichler is a prize-winning scholar whose research focuses on the intersection of literature, politics, and religion in Renaissance Italy, with additional work on the literature and history of Italian immigration in Canada. He is the author, editor, or translator of more than thirty books and over seventy peer-reviewed articles, and his contributions to the field have been recognized internationally. Professor Eisenbichler has held several senior academic roles, including President of the Sixteenth Century Society and Conference, the Canadian Society for Renaissance Studies, and the Canadian Society for Italian Studies. He has also served as Chair of the Toronto Renaissance and Reformation Colloquium and as Director of the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies. Within the Italian community, he is the long-time editor of “El Boletin” for the Club Giuliano Dalmato di Toronto and a three-term president of the Federazione Giuliano-Dalmata Canadese.