PUGLIESE- It is with deep sorrow that the family of Luigina Pugliese announce her peaceful passing on Sunday October 11th, 2015 at the TBRHSC with her loving family by her side at the age of 90. Luigina “Gina” was born on January 17, 1925 in Spezzano Piccolo, Cosenza, Italy to Antonio and Carolina Tropea. At an early age she met and married her soul mate in 1943 Mario Ernesto Pugliese and had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before his passing in 1993. Mario immigrated to Canada in 1952 and reunited his family in 1953. Luigina was 27 yrs old when she made her journey to Canada by boat with four young children all under the age of 9. Later she and Mario added another 3 children to their family. Raising 7 children was her utmost concern. She was always proud of their accomplishments and involved herself in every aspect of their lives. Luigina was a simple woman who adored being around her children enjoying all get togethers with her family and friends. She managed to help immigrate her two brothers, Francesco and Vincenzo Tropea and their entire families to join her in Thunder Bay. Luigina worked off and on in several establishments to help raise her children and even took an English class which she really never comprehended as she always reverted back to her native tongue but managed to make herself quite understood only when no one was around to do it for her. Luigina was sadden by the loss of her eldest son Anthony in 2004 and leaves to mourn her passing her six children Renato (Angela), Lina Bruno (Alfredo), Mark (Susan), Gino, Anna-Marie McDevitt and Connie Bruno (Russell), Thirteen Grandchildren: Mario (Lucy), Louisa Avella (Jack), Rosie Wilson (Glenn), Robert (Andrea), Jean Alexander (Bruce), Larry (Nicole), Tom (Carli), Emilio Bruno (Sarah), Dino Bruno (Paola), Billy (Tara), Jolene Pugliese (Robert), Natalie and Laura Bruno. Luigina leaves behind 23 great grandchildren, sister Guiseppina Fragola of England, sister-in-law Laurina Tropea and numerous nieces and nephews here and abroad. She was predeceased by her husband Mario and son Anthony Pugliese, daughter-in-law Rita and son-in-law Allan James McDevitt, parents Antonio and Carolina Tropea, mother-in-law and father-in-law Concetta and Antonio Pugliese, brothers Giovanni, Francesco, Vincenzo and Andrea Tropea, sister Fiorina as well as by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Luigina was a member of The Ladies Italian Society of Port Arthur, St. Anthony's CWL and St. Anthony's Seniors Club. Funeral services for the late Luigina Pugliese will be held Thursday, October 15th, when family and friends will gather in St. Anthony's R.C. Church on Hilldale Rd. for the Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini. The interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, October 14th from 6-8 p.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street where the Vigil Service will begin at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family has requested a donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.