Costantino Costanzo

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving and dedicated husband, father, brother, uncle and Nonno, Costantino Costanzo. On Sunday, May 27, 2018 Costantino peacefully passed away with his family and loving wife of 79 years by his side. 

Costantino was born in Borboruso, comune di Pedivigliano Cosenza, Italy on September 9 1920. It was there where he married his childhood sweetheart and best friend Giovanna on October 8 1938. Costantino was a proud soldier of WWII where he served in the Italian army for 5 years. Despite hardship and tough economic times, his first priority was to provide for his family. In 1951 he immigrated to Port Arthur in hopes of making a better life for his wife and two daughters Concetta and Mary. Costantino worked for Welch Construction, the CP Rail, Burlington Northern Pacific in Pasco Washington and the General Hospital of Port Arthur until his retirement in 1986. He was also a long-time member of la Societa Italiana di Port Arthur and St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church. Although he left his homeland, he never forgot his Italian heritage. He proudly continued Italian traditions in Canada by teaching his grandchildren to speak Italian, play the organettto and sing his beloved Italian folk songs. Side by side with his wife Giovanna they enjoyed spending countless hours working in their garden and they happily shared the fruits of their labour with their daughters, family and paisani who still reminisce about stopping by for a good laugh, a story and a glass of homemade wine. He will always be remembered by his family for his sense of humour, generosity, and heart of gold. Costantino was the heart and soul of our family and we are all privileged and honoured to have been part of his life. 

Left to mourn is his companion and loving wife of 79 years Giovanna, daughter Mary, grandchildren Luccio (Silvana) Rizzo, Fiorella (Louis) Nadin, Marina Rizzo, Nina (Michael) Morrow, Danny (Alyson) Ariganello, and great grandchildren Dustin, Lucas, Leah (Domenico), Adrian, Jonathan, Micaela, Michael, and Hailey. He will also be missed by his loving brother, Joe Costanzo, nephew Simone (Sara) Costanzo, nieces Fiorita Costanzo, Clorinda (Gordy) Mascarella, Gilda (Carmen) Cello, brother-in-law Natale Palermo and many family members and close friends in Italy, Australia, Canada, and the United States. 

Costantino was predeceased by his parents Fiorita and Simone Costanzo, his mother and father in law Luigina and Felice Palermo, brother Santo Costanzo, nephew Michele Costanzo and sister-in-laws Rachela Costanzo, Palma Palermo and Sally Costanzo. Costantino was predeceased and will be reunited with his loving daughter Concetta who he has missed dearly for the past 4 years.

Funeral services for Costantino will be held at on Saturday June 2, 2018. The procession will be leaving the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel at 9am to St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will begin at 9:30am celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini and the entombment will take place at St Andrew’s Cemetery. Visitations for family and friends will be held on Friday, June 1st from 5-7pm with Vigil services beginning at 7pm in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street. As expressions of sympathy the family is grateful for donations to St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, St Joseph’s Care Group or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentanson.com.

Buono, onesto, lavoratore e guardiano della nostra famiglia. Non ti dimenticiamo mai.