ANGELO DE GRAZIA

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ANGELO DE GRAZIA Peacefully, at home, with his wife and daughter at his bedside, Angelo passed away on the morning of February 18, 2008, at the age of 82. Left to mourn him are devoted wife Maria (Greco), and daughter Franca; sisters, Francesca and Maria of Lago, Italy; brother Carmine (Giuliana) of Ascoli Piceno, Italy; sister Elisabetta and sister-in-law Carmela of Cosenza, Italy, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and paesani scattered throughout Canada, Italy, France, Germany, the U.S. and in Argentina. These include his nephew and namesake Angelo in Vancouver and the sisters and brothers-in-law who were his second family: Anna Rita Greco, and Egidio (Stella) of Winnipeg; Michele (Fenice) of Toronto; Antonio (Delia), Fenice and Eugenia of Grimaldi, Italy. He was predeceased by his father Antonio; mother Maria Assunta; brothers, Giuseppe and Francesco, and brother-in-law Raffaele Greco. Angelo was the fourth of seven children, born September 21, 1925, in Lago, Cosenza, Italy. He grew up surrounded by a large closely knit community of extended family who worked and played together, forming bonds that would last a lifetime. At the age of 20, he served 18 months in the military at Udine, followed by a stint in La Sila at a woodworking shop. When his three brothers moved away - one to Buenos Aires, the others to enter the police force - he was left to help out with the small family farm. In 1957 he married Maria Greco of Grimaldi and two years later, with the help of Maria's brother Raffaele, they immigrated to Winnipeg for the opportunity of a better life. They raised their child with lots of love and worked hard to meet the challenge of learning a new language and new customs. The attachment to their roots remained strong, and they made many visits to Calabria over the years. For the next 30 years, Angelo's honesty, conscientiousness and strong work ethic came through in all he did during 19 years of employment with Century Craft Furniture and 11 years with Flo-Form Countertops. He was a respected and valued employee who was frequently entrusted with the training of new staff. He felt a great responsibility to his job and never missed a day of work in his life. Since his retirement in 1990, he enjoyed taking long walks daily in his beloved Fort Rouge neighbourhood, staying in constant touch via telephone with family and friends everywhere, and tending to his vegetable garden and his roses. In April of 2007, Angelo and Maria quietly and joyously celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. He was a good neighbour who resided on the same block for the last 49 years. Angelo's life was full of simple pleasures and devotion to family and faith. He enjoyed conversing about politics and sports, and possessed an excellent memory for recounting episodes from his youth, and for the little details of daily life. We will remember his modesty, sense of duty, generosity and willingness to help others in any way he could. We will remember his kindness and hospitality, how much he loved having visitors to his home. Even in his weak and frail condition he would be sure to thank the constant stream of people who came to his bedside in these last few weeks. May he be received in Heaven with the same warmth and love which he showed for others throughout his life. We gratefully acknowledge all the health professionals at St. Boniface Hospital, family physician Dr. Davinder Khangura, the homecare and respite workers of the W.R.H.A. and the palliative care nurses for all their care and compassion during these last few months. They helped us enormously in providing Angelo with the care, comfort and dignity he so needed and deserved. Prayers will be held on Friday, February 22, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. in Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 510 River Avenue. The funeral mass will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., also in Holy Rosary Church, with entombment to follow in the Queen of Heaven Mausoleum, 3990 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba 675 McDermot Ave., Room ON1160, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, or a charity of one's choice. VISSE CON UMILTA, SEMPLICITA LA SUA GIORNATA TERRENA UNA VITA DEDICATA AL LAVORO ED AL BENE CONTINUO DAL CIELO GUIDA SEMPRE I SUOI CARI ADDOLORATI, LO RICORDANO QUANTI LO AMARONO. RIPOSA IN PACE The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU CO. 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 21, 2008