Obituary for Raffaele Costanzo
COSTANZO RAFFAELE
On July 17, 2020, with his wife by his side and surrounded by his family, Raffaele Costanzo, 89 years, passed away peacefully.
Raffaele was born in Borboruso, Cosenza, Italy on February 14th, 1931. He made the difficult decision to leave his family and immigrate to Canada at the age of 21. With dreams of a better life, Raffaele first settled in Sapawe, Ontario, where he worked in logging for three arduous years before marrying his childhood sweetheart, Fiorina (Pepe), together raising their sons Saverio Sonny and Diego Davide first in Atikokan, Ontario, followed by a move to Thunder Bay in 1968.
Raffaele highly valued education, insomuch that he pursued the completion of his Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Confederation College in 1968. He worked several labourer jobs before retiring from the City of Thunder Bay in 1988. He was well-liked by his colleagues and friends and known for his jovial demeanor, steady temperament, and good judgement.
Raffaele thoroughly enjoyed his golden retirement years. His favourite pastimes included mushroom picking and making red wine and sopressata with his family, as well as growing incredible tomatoes and peppers in his large vegetable garden. He was a regular at the Canada Games Complex where he was fondly known as ‘Ralph’. His grandchildren have many wonderful memories harvesting bountiful tomatoes, picking strawberries and camping together. They will always remember his positive and joyful disposition, his fondness of strawberry shortcake, and his unconditional love for those closest to him. Raffaele was so proud of his family and always encouraged them to pursue their dreams.
Survived by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Fiorina, and their two children: Sonny (Claudia) and their daughters, Crystal (Paul Kraft, daughters Clara & Daphne), Catrina (Adrian Mirabelli, children Audriana, Sonny & Valentino), Loriana (Darren Manion, sons Joseph & Wyatt), and Stephanie (Robert Servais, son Berkley); and David (Carmela) and their children Courtenay and Adrian. Also survived by sister-in-law Olga Palermo (Antonio) and nieces in Oshawa, as well as other cousins and relatives in Thunder Bay, Niagara Falls and Portland Oregon.
Predeceased by parents Saverio and Santa, sister Carolina, brother Giuseppe, sister-in-law Petronilla and nephew Claudio in Italy.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 123 Hilldale Road with visitation for friends beginning at 10:00am followed by the funeral mass at 11:00am celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini. A private entombment will take place at St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorials may be made to the TBRHS Foundation – Northern Cardiac Fund or the Northern Cancer Fund.
As directed by the Province of Ontario and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, the attendance at the funeral is restricted to 150 people and a record of attendance must be maintained. Wearing of masks or face coverings by everyone and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is mandatory for those attending the services.
Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
On July 17, 2020, with his wife by his side and surrounded by his family, Raffaele Costanzo, 89 years, passed away peacefully.
Raffaele was born in Borboruso, Cosenza, Italy on February 14th, 1931. He made the difficult decision to leave his family and immigrate to Canada at the age of 21. With dreams of a better life, Raffaele first settled in Sapawe, Ontario, where he worked in logging for three arduous years before marrying his childhood sweetheart, Fiorina (Pepe), together raising their sons Saverio Sonny and Diego Davide first in Atikokan, Ontario, followed by a move to Thunder Bay in 1968.
Raffaele highly valued education, insomuch that he pursued the completion of his Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Confederation College in 1968. He worked several labourer jobs before retiring from the City of Thunder Bay in 1988. He was well-liked by his colleagues and friends and known for his jovial demeanor, steady temperament, and good judgement.
Raffaele thoroughly enjoyed his golden retirement years. His favourite pastimes included mushroom picking and making red wine and sopressata with his family, as well as growing incredible tomatoes and peppers in his large vegetable garden. He was a regular at the Canada Games Complex where he was fondly known as ‘Ralph’. His grandchildren have many wonderful memories harvesting bountiful tomatoes, picking strawberries and camping together. They will always remember his positive and joyful disposition, his fondness of strawberry shortcake, and his unconditional love for those closest to him. Raffaele was so proud of his family and always encouraged them to pursue their dreams.
Survived by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Fiorina, and their two children: Sonny (Claudia) and their daughters, Crystal (Paul Kraft, daughters Clara & Daphne), Catrina (Adrian Mirabelli, children Audriana, Sonny & Valentino), Loriana (Darren Manion, sons Joseph & Wyatt), and Stephanie (Robert Servais, son Berkley); and David (Carmela) and their children Courtenay and Adrian. Also survived by sister-in-law Olga Palermo (Antonio) and nieces in Oshawa, as well as other cousins and relatives in Thunder Bay, Niagara Falls and Portland Oregon.
Predeceased by parents Saverio and Santa, sister Carolina, brother Giuseppe, sister-in-law Petronilla and nephew Claudio in Italy.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 123 Hilldale Road with visitation for friends beginning at 10:00am followed by the funeral mass at 11:00am celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini. A private entombment will take place at St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorials may be made to the TBRHS Foundation – Northern Cardiac Fund or the Northern Cancer Fund.
As directed by the Province of Ontario and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, the attendance at the funeral is restricted to 150 people and a record of attendance must be maintained. Wearing of masks or face coverings by everyone and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is mandatory for those attending the services.
Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.