Mrs. Carmela Di Franco

Mrs. Carmela Di Franco, age 76 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, with her family at her side, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's. Carmela was born in Licata, Italy on February 23, 1940. She immigrated to Canada in 1961 to begin her new life with her husband Vitale Di Franco. Carmela prided herself in providing a better life for her family in Canada. She was a hard worker and dedicated employee at Holiday Inn and later retired, after many years of service, from Dresswell Cleaners. She was an active member of the DaVinci Centre's Ladies Auxiliary Principe De Piemonte and the Catholic Women's League at St. Dominic's Church. Carmela's focus and passion in life was her love for her family; being a wife, mother, Nonna and Bisnonna. She loved sharing her passion for homemade cooking, particularly her tomato sauce, bread and baked goods. Sunday lunches at Nonna's were “the best.” Carmela had very fond memories of her time spent at Chippewa Park for picnics and of course her favourite pastime, playing bocce. Carmela is lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her husband of 55 years, Vitale; children Sam (Susan), Rosa (Bob) Gynane, Tony (Brenda) and Lisa; grandchildren Cory (Jolene), Derian, Matthew, Jessica (Brandon), Taylor, Nathan and Noah; great-grandchildren Ethan and Haley Breukelman; brothers Francesco and Angelo Russo of Italy; sisters-in-law Anna-Maria Pollari and Francesca Ballacchino (Italy) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Antonio and Rosa Russo; daughter Mary; brothers Salvatore and Giuseppe Russo and sisters-in-law Carmela and Lucia Russo. Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Carmela Di Franco will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016 leaving the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James at 9:40am to St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, for the Funeral Mass at 10:00am, celebrated by Father Maurizio Maifredi. Private interment will follow in Mountainview Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00pm in the Westfort Chapel, with Vigil Prayers offered at 7:00pm. Should friends so desire, memorial donations to the Parkinson Society would be greatly appreciated.