Obituary for Bruna Rizzo (Lacaria)
It is with great sadness, we announce that Bruna Rizzo, aged 79 passed peacefully at Roseview Nursing Home with family by her side on June 10, 2022. Bruna was born in Brognaturo, Catanzaro, (now Vibbo Valencia) Italy on December 3, 1942 to Caterina and Bruno Lacaria. She was the second oldest of six children.
In 1962, Bruna happily arrived at the Thunder Bay International Airport excited to reunite with her fiance of two (2) years and soon to be husband, Francesco Rizzo; the love of her life. After a few months in Canada, they married. Their marriage was full of joy and love. Always celebrating life with spontaneous family picnics, family gatherings and travelling abroad to visit family members. Although their efforts to begin their own family were unfruitful their devotion to each other grew stronger. Sadly, after 15 beautiful years together, Bruna's life was shattered when Francesco unexpectedly passed away after a short illness.
Bruna's work ethic and passion for life allowed her to shift her focus to her strengths in order to become resilient in her 'single life'. She loved to socialize with family and friends and she became a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Italian Society of Port Arthur. A woman of strong faith, she was a longtime member of St. Anthony's Church where she was also a member of the CWL. She loved to bake and cook, try new recipes, and share her talents. Her cannoli, pizza, and zippoli were the best! She always paid attention to detail; dedicating herself to self-care with daily exercise and walks, caring & maintaining for her home (inside and out) and tending to the needs of her family members and friends. She was always ready, willing and happy to help anyone at any function. She never shied away from a challenge. When life shocked her with her second heartbreak, a breast cancer diagnosis, she fought it with everything she had. She survived.
Her attention to detail was unsurpassed and led to her excellent reputation as an employee at Bennett's Bakery and at Tee-Kay's Apparel Factory. There she worked for numerous years as a seamstress and made many more lasting friendships.
She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her brothers Rocco (Domenica) Lacaria and Tony (Irene) Lacaria and her sisters Raffaela (Gianni) Iennarella in Italy and Maria Rizzo in Toronto. She will also be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews together with their families--Bruno, Frank, Katie Lacaria and Mary Giardetti; Bruno, Joey, Michael and Anthony Lacaria; Connie Brutto-Pugliese, Carmelo Brutto, Bruno Brutto, and Cathy Brutto; Mary Jo Mancuso, Franca Cerilli, and Roby Rizzo; and Pino and Maria Iennarella. Along with her Sister-in-law Maria Concetta Rizzo Tassone and her sons: Nicola (Italy) and Raffaele Tassone (Thunder Bay) with his children: Maria, Laura, and Lisa. As well as her Sister-in-law Maria Rizzo (Thunder Bay) and her daughters Rosemary and Julie (Toronto).
Bruna was predeceased by her husband Francesco, parents Caterina and Bruno Lacaria, sister Giuseppina and her husband Salvatore Brutto, Mother and Father-in-law Rosaria and Nicola Rizzo, Brother-in-law Frank Rizzo (Toronto); Brother-in-law Giuseppe Rizzo (Thunder Bay); Sister-in-law Teresina and her husband Francesco Rizzo (Australia); and Brother-in-law Vincenzo Tassone (Italy).
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022 when family and friends will gather in St. Anthony's R.C. Church for the Funeral Mass beginning at 1:00 p.m. celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini. Visitation for friends will be held from 12-1 p.m. in the church on Friday. The interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy memorials to the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay or the TBRHS Foundation- Regional Cancer Centre would be greatly appreciated. People wishing to celebrate the service virtually may do so here and those sending on-line condolences may do so at www.sargentandson.com.
Bruna was loving, fearless, strong and independent on earth. Her love for Francesco remained strong and loyal to the very end. She joins him now in heaven. Rest in peace!
In 1962, Bruna happily arrived at the Thunder Bay International Airport excited to reunite with her fiance of two (2) years and soon to be husband, Francesco Rizzo; the love of her life. After a few months in Canada, they married. Their marriage was full of joy and love. Always celebrating life with spontaneous family picnics, family gatherings and travelling abroad to visit family members. Although their efforts to begin their own family were unfruitful their devotion to each other grew stronger. Sadly, after 15 beautiful years together, Bruna's life was shattered when Francesco unexpectedly passed away after a short illness.
Bruna's work ethic and passion for life allowed her to shift her focus to her strengths in order to become resilient in her 'single life'. She loved to socialize with family and friends and she became a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Italian Society of Port Arthur. A woman of strong faith, she was a longtime member of St. Anthony's Church where she was also a member of the CWL. She loved to bake and cook, try new recipes, and share her talents. Her cannoli, pizza, and zippoli were the best! She always paid attention to detail; dedicating herself to self-care with daily exercise and walks, caring & maintaining for her home (inside and out) and tending to the needs of her family members and friends. She was always ready, willing and happy to help anyone at any function. She never shied away from a challenge. When life shocked her with her second heartbreak, a breast cancer diagnosis, she fought it with everything she had. She survived.
Her attention to detail was unsurpassed and led to her excellent reputation as an employee at Bennett's Bakery and at Tee-Kay's Apparel Factory. There she worked for numerous years as a seamstress and made many more lasting friendships.
She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her brothers Rocco (Domenica) Lacaria and Tony (Irene) Lacaria and her sisters Raffaela (Gianni) Iennarella in Italy and Maria Rizzo in Toronto. She will also be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews together with their families--Bruno, Frank, Katie Lacaria and Mary Giardetti; Bruno, Joey, Michael and Anthony Lacaria; Connie Brutto-Pugliese, Carmelo Brutto, Bruno Brutto, and Cathy Brutto; Mary Jo Mancuso, Franca Cerilli, and Roby Rizzo; and Pino and Maria Iennarella. Along with her Sister-in-law Maria Concetta Rizzo Tassone and her sons: Nicola (Italy) and Raffaele Tassone (Thunder Bay) with his children: Maria, Laura, and Lisa. As well as her Sister-in-law Maria Rizzo (Thunder Bay) and her daughters Rosemary and Julie (Toronto).
Bruna was predeceased by her husband Francesco, parents Caterina and Bruno Lacaria, sister Giuseppina and her husband Salvatore Brutto, Mother and Father-in-law Rosaria and Nicola Rizzo, Brother-in-law Frank Rizzo (Toronto); Brother-in-law Giuseppe Rizzo (Thunder Bay); Sister-in-law Teresina and her husband Francesco Rizzo (Australia); and Brother-in-law Vincenzo Tassone (Italy).
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022 when family and friends will gather in St. Anthony's R.C. Church for the Funeral Mass beginning at 1:00 p.m. celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini. Visitation for friends will be held from 12-1 p.m. in the church on Friday. The interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy memorials to the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay or the TBRHS Foundation- Regional Cancer Centre would be greatly appreciated. People wishing to celebrate the service virtually may do so here and those sending on-line condolences may do so at www.sargentandson.com.
Bruna was loving, fearless, strong and independent on earth. Her love for Francesco remained strong and loyal to the very end. She joins him now in heaven. Rest in peace!