It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our father, grandfather and great grandfather, Antonio Primerano, age 85, on January 26, 2023 with family by his side at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, after a short battle with cancer.
Antonio was born on April 5, 1937 in Simbario, Calabria, Italy. As a young boy his family moved to France, where he grew up. In 1956 at the age of 19, he made the journey to Toronto, Canada to build a life for himself. After a couple years in Toronto, Antonio found himself in Malartic, Quebec, where he met and married Cecile Boudreau in 1962.
His work as a miner brought them to Lynn Lake, Manitoba, where he and his wife started their family. Three children later, they relocated to Thunder Bay where he transitioned to construction in the late 70’s; spending the remainder of his career as a masonry tender, until his retirement in 1999 at the age of 62. Following his retirement, Antonio would spend most days walking the neighbourhood, talking to everyone he met during his travels. At home you could always find him in his favourite chair watching tennis in between episodes of the Price is Right.
One of his passions was Barbecuing, everyday weather permitting. But his greatest love of all was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, which he treasured with his whole heart.
Antonio loved to dance since he was a boy; his social life consisted of going dancing or visiting his close cousins for coffee and conversation. Foraging for wild mushrooms in the spring and fall was another love of Antonio’s; he would always look forward to bringing the family together for his Sunday sauce and adored sharing his mushroom recipes.
Antonio was a life long member of the Italian Culture Society which he was very proud of.
Antonio is survived by and will be forever sadly missed by his wife Cecile (Boudreau); sons Sandro (Mary Lou) and Dino, daughter Lidia; grandchildren Brittany Malcolm (Rodney) and Christina Primerano; great grandchildren Lincoln and Landon Carson; brothers Rocco and Vito, sisters Elise Rosso and Victoria (Franco) Bertucci, sister-in-law Irene Primerano; along with many special nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Rosa Primerano, brothers Frank and Vince, brother-in-law Vincenzo Rosso, sister Conchetta, sisters-in-law Denise and Maria Primerano, as well as his close cousins Domenico (Franceschina) Primerano, Rosaria (Bruno) Donato and Immacolata Belluso.
The family of Antonio would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all family and friends who have supported us during our darkest hours, specifically, Vito Primerano, Gino Primerano, Rosella Montalban, Joseph Rosso, Yvonne and Mark for making the long trip to Thunder Bay to be with us in our time of need; we will forever be grateful and love you all with our whole hearts. We would like to thank the Dr. Mukhtar and Dr. Lubber for their care and compassion while caring for our dad. To Cory, Tawny, and all the other staff at Harbourview Funeral Centre for their assistance in making dad’s final arrangements that little bit easier and carrying out his final wishes just how he would have wanted. And of course, to Father Luigi Filippini for his support at this time.
Funeral Services for Antonio will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, celebrated by Fr. Luigi Filippini. Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service time. A private entombment will follow the reception in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.
If friends so desire, donations may be made in Antonio’s memory to a charity of choice.
