It is with great sadness that the family of Mr. William (Bill) Gigliotti announce his peaceful passing with his family at his side on Jan. 1, 2011 at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to be with our Lord.
Bill was born in Port Arthur on Aug. 6, 1921, the seventh of 10 children. He was educated at St. Anthony's School and PA Technical Institute. He worked most of his working life as a pipe fitter and retired from his position of pipefitter foreman at Abitibi Provincial Papers in 1985.
Bill was very artistic and athletic. He loved to sketch, paint, golf and curl well into his eighties. His creative side surfaced time and time again as he would design and build workshop tools he needed for a specific project.
He once built a portable drill press that he wanted to patent. Billl helped with repairs to the Gigliotti Block as well as household repairs for himself, a family member or a friend in need.
He enjoyed his recent trips to Florida during the past few years where he could quietly sit and soak up the sun and be able to have his family including his sister Helen close by.
He greatly enjoyed the company of his sisters reminiscing about growing up on Secord Street and 'the farm.' His greatest joy was sitting quietly in his favourite chair reading the newspaper and he always had a great novel close by. Bill was a very proud and independent man with high values and uncompromising ethics.
A true gentleman. He was a longtime member of Our Lady of Loretto parish and he lived his faith every day. He was a devoted husband and father who always put family first.
His quick wit and 'smiling eyes' will be forever remembered in our hearts.
Bill will be sadly missed by the love of his life, Stella, to whom he shared 58 years of marriage and his children Ken (Sherri), Mary Jane (Gary) Gravelle, Carole (Jim) Normand; grandchildren Jade Gigliotti, Joelle (Garrett) Sahaidak, Erinn Gravelle (Benjamin Cerrato), Jordan Gravelle (Tamara Dayagi), Steven and Danielle Normand and great grandchildren Jordyn Gravelle-Fortes, Violet Gravelle-Cerrato, Ryann Sahaidak; sisters Helen Mudra and Corinne (Dan) Herridge and sister-in-laws Marcella & Val Gigliotti, Helen Holmquist and Betty Shubaly. Predeceased by his parents Ben and Mary Gigliotti and brothers Angel, Sam and Jack as well as sisters Grace and Jen Gigliotti, Marg Thompson and Theresa Law.
Bill has now joined the 'Old Gang': Freddy Villella, George Sisco, Benny Scalzo, Louis Fonzo, Frank Vescio & Tony Arges.
Cremation has taken place and the Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 at 11 a. m. at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 290 Grenville Avenue, celebrated by Rev. Rey Sorgon O.S.A. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Thunder Bay or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Foundation Northern Cancer Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
