It is with heavy hearts that the family of Paolo Galle announces his passing at the age of 75 years, after a courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Paolo passed away peacefully with his loving wife, children and family by his side on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Paolo was born in Simbario, Vibo Valentia, Italy, on November 24, 1939. He was the eldest of four siblings. In 1959, he immigrated to Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada. While on a visit to his hometown in 1972, Paolo met the love of his life, Rita, whom he later married on March 4, 1973.
Paolo was a strong, hard-working individual. Before graduating from mechanical school, he began work at the Sapawe sawmill, which eventually led to his employment with Canada Car (Bombardier). In 1965, he started working for his family business, Frank’s Grocery. In 1982, Paolo became co-owner of the Royalton Hotel, along with his brother, Luigi Galle, and his cousin, Domenico Primerano. He worked diligently as a bartender until his illness caused him to retire in 2012. He was well known, and made many friends there over the years.
Paolo’s greatest passion in life was his family, especially his 12 grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening, mushroom picking, cheering for Ferrari in Formula 1, and faithfully watching his favourite soccer club, Juventus. In the fall of 1967, he was one of the original founders of the Thunder Bay Juventus Soccer Club, where he served as President, Vice President and Coach for many years. Paolo was also a long time member of the Italian Cultural Centre and the Divinci Centre.
Paolo will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Rita, his wife of 43 years, his four children, Frank (Leila), Nicolina (Adrian) Vatamanelu, Peter (Cathy), Enzo (Tracy), and his grandchildren, Angelina, Rosa, Anthony, Gabriella, Bianca, Mary-Angela, Aliviah, Claudia, Angelica, Gemma, Paolo and Joseph. Paolo also leaves behind his brother, Luigi, and sisters, Maria Concetta (Angelo) Marino, and Pina (Bruno) Papa, his mother-in-law, Angelina Figluizzi, as well as many dear nieces, nephews and cousins, in Canada, Italy, France and the United States. Paolo was predeceased by his parents, Francesco and Nicolina Galle, his father-in-law, Pietro Figliuzzi, his brother-in-law, Vincenzo Figliuzzi, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3, 2015 when family and friends will gather at St. Anthony’s Church, 123 Hilldale Road, for Funeral Mass to be celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini and concelebrated by priests from the Diocese of Thunder Bay. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Charity Mausoleum, St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church where the Vigil Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations in Paolo’s memory to the Canadian Lung Association or charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Please note that Visitation and Prayers are at the church and not at Harbourview on Thursday.
