RAFFAELE ANGELO GRECO

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

RAFFAELE ANGELO GRECO With his family by his side, it is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our husband, father and grandfather, Raffaele Angelo Greco, on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at St. Boniface Hospital. Raffaele is survived by his devoted wife, Anna Rita; daughter Palmira (Frank); his three sons, Pasquale, Franco and Tonino; grand-children Antonietta and Diego; brothers, Michele (Fenice) of Toronto, Egidio (Stella), Antonio (Delia) of Grimaldi, Italy; sisters, Maria (Angelo), Eugenia and Fenice, both of Grimaldi, Italy, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins here, in Toronto, and in Italy. He was predeceased by his parents, Pasquale and Palmira Greco, to whom he was greatly devoted. Raffaele was born July 23, 1932 in Grimaldi, Cosenza, Italy. Following in his father's footsteps, he came to Canada in 1950 at 17 years of age. Like many immigrants, he came to Canada to establish a better life for himself and his family. He initially worked for the Canadian National Railway in St. Catharines, Ontario for a year before moving to Winnipeg, where he worked as a baker and shift manager at Bryce Bakery for approximately nine years. During this time, he never forgot his family in Grimaldi and over a period of about 10 years, he sponsored virtually all his brothers and sisters to immigrate to Canada. In 1961, our father together with his brothers, Michele and Egidio, established Greco Brothers Service Station, one of Winnipeg's first Italian owned and operated automotive repair businesses. Our father was a passionate, principled and self made man. He, together with his brothers learned the automotive trade and business on their own and together developed a very successful business, of which they were very proud. Our father returned to Grimaldi in 1967 to visit his parents and family for an extended period of time. During the course of this visit, he met the love of his life, Anna Rita and they married in 1969 and returned to Winnipeg to begin their new life together. Our father was a devoted family man who gave his children a wonderful life of opportunity, love and faith. He instilled in us very strong values and morals and the importance of a good education. He also valued spending time together with his family and loved our many family trips to the cottage at Grand Beach. True to his Italian roots, our father always enjoyed a good tazza d'espresso, a glass of his home-made wine and of course a plate of pasta with home-made sauce from the tomatoes picked from his huge garden. He also enjoyed discussing current events, politics, history, and he always looked forward to reading his issues of Grimaldi 2000 , a journal that kept him informed on current events and issues in his beloved hometown. He was also actively involved in the Italian community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 20 years and a parishioner of Holy Rosary Church for over 50 years. Our father was a very good friend and source of support to many throughout his life. He was respected by everyone around him. A true gentleman, despite his health issues in later years, he never complained and always had a smile and kind word for everyone. The last 10 years brought with them many medical appointments and hospital stays and throughout this time not only was our mamma his companion but an amazing caregiver who was a constant source of encouragement and hope for our father. Our family wishes to thank the staff at St. Boniface Hospital and in particular the MICU unit for their excellent care of our father as well as Father Rolland for his spiritual guidance during this very difficult time. We also wish to thank Dr. John Embil, who provided our father with years of exceptional and compassionate care. A Prayer Mass will be held on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 510 River Avenue, with Father Gary Killen officiating. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. also in Holy Rosary Church with interment to follow in the Queen of Heaven Mausoleum, 3990 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 200-310, Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0S6. Caro Papa, sarai sempre con noi. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 26, 2008