Born in Serra San Bruno, Calabria to Bruno Luigi and Maria Rosaria, Antonio was the sixth child of ten. As a youngster in Italy during the depression, he enjoyed playing outside with his sisters, brothers and friends. His childhood was cut short when he tragically lost his father at the age of 9 and was forced to grow up quickly. While Antonio was able to attend school until grade 3, he had to quit to start working so that he could help provide for his family. His work was labourious on the family farm and logging in the forests in the Italian countryside. At 21 years of age, he joined the Italian army. Antonio married his sweetheart, Raffaela, on February 8, 1959. In search of employment and a better life for his family, Antonio voyaged to Canada with his brother, Nazzareno, several months later. They landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and made their way to Port Arthur, Ontario to join their sister Marietta and brother-in-law Nazzareno. Soon after, his wife and firstborn, Bruno, reunited with him.
The family settled among a community of family and friends and had four more children: Rosarina, Giuseppe (Pino), Antonio (Tony) and Sabrina. He raised his children to know their faith, culture, language and roots. He modeled love, kindness, empathy, a strong work ethic and humility.
Antonio worked very hard to provide for his family. He was first employed as a lumberjack getting paid by piece work. His other jobs included working as a labourer for CN Rail, Superior Paving and ACZ Construction. The life of an immigrant was tough, but he never once complained and was always appreciative of what he had. Unfortunately, the exposure to environmental pollutants, in particular, the grain dust, caused Pulmonary Fibrosis, which he suffered from during the last two years of his life.
Antonio delighted in life’s simple pleasures. Each year he planted a large garden and made wine, soppressata, prosciutto, sausages, and preserved tomatoes. He would enjoy the fruits of his labour with his family and friends as he took great pleasure in sharing a meal with others. His generosity, hospitality and love for others were clear. Everyone was welcome in his home and even though he didn’t have much, whatever he had was on the table for all to share.
Antonio’s daily life was quite regimented. He would get up at 5:00 a.m., bathe, shave and have his morning espresso while faithfully watching the morning mass. He would then take care of his garden and rabbits. In the afternoon, he would walk down the hill to the Italian Cultural Centre, which he referred to as his office, where he enjoyed playing scupa, briscola and tresette with friends. He would come home to have supper with his family and then watch game shows and sports. Before going to bed, he would prepare his things for the following morning. He was a man of routine.
Antonio’s greatest joy was his family. His loss will leave a void and his beautiful soul will never be forgotten. He will be forever missed by his wife Raffaela, with whom he would have been married 60 years this February; his son Bruno, daughter-in-law Victoria and their children Thomas, Madilyn and Olivia; by his daughter Rosarina and son-in-law Saverio (Sam); by his son Giuseppe (Pino), daughter-in-law Lucy and their children Anthony and Kyra; by his son Antonio (Tony), daughter-in-law Teresina and their children Adam, Andrew and Christina; and his daughter Sabrina, son-in-law Scott and their children Maia, Ava and Noah.
He is also survived by his siblings, who have shown him true love and friendship: his sister Marietta Larizza, his brother Cosimo Tassone and wife Immaculata, his sister Bruna Larizza, his brother Salvatore Tassone and wife Giuseppina and his sister Angelina. As well, he is survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Maria and Sam Federico, Giuseppe Vallelunga, Rosario and Maria Larizza, Salvatore Larizza and many cousins, nieces, nephews, comares, compares and friends who have always shown him great respect and love.
Antonio was predeceased by his father Bruno Luigi, his mother Maria Rosaria, father-in-law and mother-in-law Giuseppe and Brunina Larizza, sisters Rosina Caruso and Nazzarena Pelaia, brothers Nazzareno Tassone and Giuseppe Tassone, brothers-in-law Nazzareno Larizza, Bruno Caruso, Domenico Pisani, Salvatore Pelaia and Bruno Larizza, sisters-in-law Serafina Vallelunga and Filomena Tassone and great-niece Serafina Vallelunga. We have hope that he is reunited with them once again.
A funeral service to celebrate Antonio’s life will be held on Friday, November 30, 2018, at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church. The mass will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a private entombment at Our Lady of Charity Mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2018, at Sargent & Son Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with the vigil service beginning at 7:00 p.m.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Antonio’s name to the TBRHSC Foundation Cardio-Respiratory Department for the purchase of Airvo Optiflow Nasal High Flow Oxygen Humidification Systems which will give much comfort to others with a respiratory illness.
A special thank you to all of those who have supported our family during Antonio’s illness. We appreciate the visits, words of expression, prayers, and acts of kindness which have helped us tremendously and will never be forgotten. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
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