Obituary for Pasquale Giancola
Pasquale Giancola died peacefully at home on April 20, 2023. He was born on July 17, 1928 in Castelpetroso, Isernia, Italy. He grew up during the depression and WWII. He worked as a labourer in construction until he immigrated to Canada with his wife and two infant daughters in 1955.
In 1958, Pasquale and Sabina purchased a house in Westfort, built an addition in 1960 and in 1971, they travelled with their 6 children to Italy for the first time since immigrating. He worked in construction and in 1966 began full-time employment with Great Lakes Paper Company. In 1993 he retired as a Pettybone Operator with Avenor. They travelled with and without their children to Toronto, New Jersey, Italy and weekend excursions to Minnesota.
Pasquale was a role model for his family and community. Nicknamed the Westfort Italian family man, his labour of love included gardening, tending to his grape vine, making sausages, wine and canning preserves. He was a master at providing for his family ensuring they had plenty of food and safe shelter. Pasquale was a life-time member with the Principe di Piemonte Societa Italia and helped build the DaVinci Centre and St. Dominic’s Church in Northwood. He was devoted to the Santuario di Maria Santissima Addolorata. For 61 years, he faithfully collected donations to support the building and maintenance of the basilica. He organized pilgrimage trips to Ignace visiting the statue of Maria Addolorata, Mother of Seven Sorrows at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Quebec Shrines, Winnipeg for the 1984 visit of Pope John Paul II and Memory Lodge to visit the statue of Madonna. He attended mass regularly, became a Eucharistic Minster and administered the Eucharist to the sick.
After retirement, he attended mass daily with Sabina and together they volunteered at Westmount bringing seniors to mass. He joined the Knights of Columbus, served many spaghetti suppers with son-in-law John and sold raffle tickets at various venues. He spent many hours babysitting his grandchildren and aways brought food to share.
Pasquale will be lovingly remembered by his children, Anne, Maria (Michael), Dina, Domenic, Pina (Michael) and daughter-in-law Dana, his grandchildren, Julie (Brad), Nick (Kim), Joel, Liam, Nadia (Brad), Ruby, Veronica, Letizia (Greg), Phillip, Jeremy (Darcey), Lucas and great-grandchildren Bryce (Justine), Brooke (Cole), Morgan, Madison, Christian and Ciara, sister Cristina (Berardino) and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and extended family members.
Pasquale is predeceased by his wife Sabina, daughter Letizia, infant son Emidio, sons-in-law, Giovanni, Wesley and John, his parents, Domenico and Letizia, sisters Angiolina, Suor Maria Piera, Antonietta, brothers-in-law Nicola and Vittorio.
Thanks to Dr. Migay, Dr. Williams, 2C nurses especially Talia, Bayshore nurses especially Josh, Justin and Kyle, PSWs, HCCSS Staff especially Alicia, the Manor House Staff, the Dementia Café family and extra special thanks to Pasquale’s angels, home care workers Dawn, Liette and Gabriella.
Funeral Mass for Pasquale will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 11am celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla V.G. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Monday, May 1, 2023 at the Blake Funeral Chapel from 6 – 8 pm, with prayers offered by Deacon Derek West at 7pm. To honour Pasquale, cash collections addressed to SMSA (Santuario Castelpetroso, Italy) can be brought to the Blake Funeral Chapel.
In latter years, Pasquale would always say,
“I go far away.”
Papa, enjoy the ride! You earned it!
In 1958, Pasquale and Sabina purchased a house in Westfort, built an addition in 1960 and in 1971, they travelled with their 6 children to Italy for the first time since immigrating. He worked in construction and in 1966 began full-time employment with Great Lakes Paper Company. In 1993 he retired as a Pettybone Operator with Avenor. They travelled with and without their children to Toronto, New Jersey, Italy and weekend excursions to Minnesota.
Pasquale was a role model for his family and community. Nicknamed the Westfort Italian family man, his labour of love included gardening, tending to his grape vine, making sausages, wine and canning preserves. He was a master at providing for his family ensuring they had plenty of food and safe shelter. Pasquale was a life-time member with the Principe di Piemonte Societa Italia and helped build the DaVinci Centre and St. Dominic’s Church in Northwood. He was devoted to the Santuario di Maria Santissima Addolorata. For 61 years, he faithfully collected donations to support the building and maintenance of the basilica. He organized pilgrimage trips to Ignace visiting the statue of Maria Addolorata, Mother of Seven Sorrows at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Quebec Shrines, Winnipeg for the 1984 visit of Pope John Paul II and Memory Lodge to visit the statue of Madonna. He attended mass regularly, became a Eucharistic Minster and administered the Eucharist to the sick.
After retirement, he attended mass daily with Sabina and together they volunteered at Westmount bringing seniors to mass. He joined the Knights of Columbus, served many spaghetti suppers with son-in-law John and sold raffle tickets at various venues. He spent many hours babysitting his grandchildren and aways brought food to share.
Pasquale will be lovingly remembered by his children, Anne, Maria (Michael), Dina, Domenic, Pina (Michael) and daughter-in-law Dana, his grandchildren, Julie (Brad), Nick (Kim), Joel, Liam, Nadia (Brad), Ruby, Veronica, Letizia (Greg), Phillip, Jeremy (Darcey), Lucas and great-grandchildren Bryce (Justine), Brooke (Cole), Morgan, Madison, Christian and Ciara, sister Cristina (Berardino) and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and extended family members.
Pasquale is predeceased by his wife Sabina, daughter Letizia, infant son Emidio, sons-in-law, Giovanni, Wesley and John, his parents, Domenico and Letizia, sisters Angiolina, Suor Maria Piera, Antonietta, brothers-in-law Nicola and Vittorio.
Thanks to Dr. Migay, Dr. Williams, 2C nurses especially Talia, Bayshore nurses especially Josh, Justin and Kyle, PSWs, HCCSS Staff especially Alicia, the Manor House Staff, the Dementia Café family and extra special thanks to Pasquale’s angels, home care workers Dawn, Liette and Gabriella.
Funeral Mass for Pasquale will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 11am celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla V.G. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Monday, May 1, 2023 at the Blake Funeral Chapel from 6 – 8 pm, with prayers offered by Deacon Derek West at 7pm. To honour Pasquale, cash collections addressed to SMSA (Santuario Castelpetroso, Italy) can be brought to the Blake Funeral Chapel.
In latter years, Pasquale would always say,
“I go far away.”
Papa, enjoy the ride! You earned it!