It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Pietro Pullia on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at Pioneer Ridge with his family by his side. Pietro was born January 3, 1930 in Sambiase, (now Lamezia Terme), Italy to Maria Rosa Papuzzo and Francesco Antonio Pullia. Pietro was the youngest of 9 children. He immigrated to Port Arthur, Ontario Canada on April 13, 1965 with his wife Rosa (Mirabelli) and 3 young children, Gabriella, Franca and Wilma.

When Pietro arrived in Port Arthur (Thunder Bay) he had many construction jobs and for his final 20 years of work, it was spent with the City of Thunder Bay, Parks and Rec at Chippewa Park doing their maintenance work. Pietro was a member of St. Anthony’s Church and the DaVinci Centre.

After his retirement in 1995, his time was spent keeping his lawn a plush green and growing a huge garden with greenhouse which he shared all of his bountiful fruits with family and friends. He was also known for his wine making from grapes, his homemade sopressata and capocollo. He loved to cook specialty foods especially his famous rabbit which he tricked many into thinking they were eating chicken. He welcomed everyone to his table no matter who you were. Pietro was very proud of his family. He loved his family and friends and would do anything for anyone at the drop of a hat. He was happy when everyone else was happy. He was a very kind, hard working and determined man and took pride in everything he did. Also, after retirement, Pietro spent time helping to raise his grandchildren which he cherished so much. They were his life and kept him alive to this day. In fact, he held on so his first-born grandchild Lauren Mayell could get married last Saturday. That was the kind of man he was. Putting everyone else first.


Pietro is Lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 64 years, Rosa (Mirabelli). His 3 daughters, Gabriella (Larry Mayell - Deceased), Franca (Joe Pucci) and Wilma (Loris Pegoraro). 7 grandchildren, Lauren (Cody Teather), Stephanie (Shannon Speer), Daniel Mayell (Courtney Camlin) Andrew Pegoraro (Keisha Thong), Austin Pegoraro, Jonathan and Marcus Pucci and 2 great-grandchildren Emily and Hailey Speer. Sister-in-laws, Maria (Antonio - Deceased) Pullia and Caterina (Giuseppe - Deceased) Mirabelli. Brothers-in-law, Vince (Anna) Mirabelli, and Frank (Maria) Mirabelli. Also many nieces and nephews in Canada, Italy, Switzerland and Australia.

He was predeceased by his parents Maria Rosa Papuzzo and Francescantonio Pullia, his in-laws Maria Grazia Buffone and Luigi Mirabelli, his brothers Luigi and Antonio Pullia, his sisters and husbands, Maria & Vincenzo Volpe, Francesca & Antonio Bongiovanni, Teresa & Alia Carchidi, Elisabetta & Giuseppe Serra, Rosa & Raffaele Ruberto and Giovanna & Vincenzo Muraca, Brother-in-law Giuseppe Mirabelli, sister-in-law Francesca Talarico and son-in-law Larry Mayell.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Pioneer Ridge for the wonderful care Pietro received in the last 9 1/2 months he lived there and especially in his final hours. Thank you also to Dr Jim Scali, Dr. Saleem Malik and currently Dr. John Coccimglio, and also to Father Luigi for his final blessing.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 24, from 2-4pm, with vigil prayers at 4pm, all at Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 25, at 2pm, at St. Anthony’s Church. Masking and social distancing is required for those attending the events. A livestreaming of the Mass may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUAgWTsDk3I.

A private committal service will take place in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer (Dementia) Society of Thunder Bay or to St. Anthony’s Church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.