Josie Zafra marks 50 years of service

Much has changed since she first came to the airport. But one thing is the same: the joy Josie finds in seeing people’s travel dreams take flight.

When Josie Zafra joined what was then Toronto International Airport as a 19-year-old temp in 1974, she wasn’t expecting to make her career here. In fact, she wasn’t sure if she would even get here at all. “I had never been to the airport before,” she says. “I had to take a bus to get there, and I thought for sure I was going to get lost.” Luckily, Josie found her way here and loved what she saw.

Today, the airport has grown, its name has changed, and Josie has built a varied carer that has included stints in administration, leasing, maintenance and, currently, as a commercial real estate facility manager. As she celebrates her 50th anniversary at the airport, we caught up with her to find out what working here means to her.

First job at Pearson: Parking permit clerk. I started as a temp but they liked me, so they hired me permanently.

What your current role entails: I take care of all the buildings in the Airway Centre and several others along Airport Road. I handle the invoices and walk through the buildings to see if anything requires attention. Our team is busy because we have to keep check on any construction that’s happening on any of the sites.

Best thing about working here: The people. Every position I have held has been a learning experience for me, and I’ve been very lucky to have been surrounded by wonderful people. I have made some lifelong friends, and that makes me feel good about being here.

Notable memory: Working on the opening of the new Terminal 1. Helping think through things like what materials we should have for floors, where dispensers should go in the bathrooms and how we would maintain things like lights situated above escalators.

Most rewarding part of your job: Seeing the smiles of passengers as they take their flights, looking forward to their destinations. It gives you joy when you see that. 

Favourite spot in the airport: Tim Hortons after security in Terminal 1 domestic. We used to have meetings there. I’m a tea person, so it was very important.

Go-to lunch order: I like the spaghetti and meatballs at Boccone.