Michele Torre, ex-convict, makes final plea to avoid deportation

A former Mafia foot soldier is facing deportation 49 years after arriving in Canada. After losing an appeal at the Supreme Court, his family is making one last plea to let him stay: for the sake of his grandchildren.

"I understand they want to punish my dad, but they're destroying my kids, my nieces, my nephews," said Nellie Torre, the daughter of Michele Torre.

I paid my price.- Michele Torre, permanent resident facing deportation

"How do you explain to them that Nonno (grandfather) can't come to see you whenever you want, you can't go see Nonno whenever you want."

In 1996, Laval residentMichele Torre pleaded guilty of conspiracy to traffic cocaine after being swept in a large police operation targeting organized crime. For this, wassentenced toeight years and nine months in prison. He was released on parole before serving his full sentence.

Torre, an Italian citizen, has been a permanent resident since he came to Canada in 1967. There was no deportation order when he was convicted. It was when he applied for citizenship some years back that the government ordered him out.

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Now 64, with no ties to his native Italy, he's asking for compassion.

"I paid my price. If they had kicked me out, it would bebetter 20 years ago," he said.

"My dad could have said, 'Let's go,' and we would have moved together. Now we're grounded here. I can't ask my husband, 'Let's go to another country,'" Nellie Torreadded.

The family has started an online petition and a website asking supporters to send letters to the minister of immigration and the Prime Minister.

While they wait, Nellie Torre says she tries not to think about it, or how she would explain it to her children.

"I told my son, 'Nonno might have to go work far away.' He asks why. He says he won't be able to play with him. That's what kills me," she said.