Francesco Mario Cupello

Mr. Francesco (Frank) Mario Cupello, age 76 years, passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2017 with his family by his side. 

Frank, referred to as Mario by his family and friends, was born in Grimaldi, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy on May 27, 1941 to Emilio and Angela Cupello (nee Notte). He immigrated to Canada in 1956, obtained his Mechanic License and began a career at Port Arthur Motors. Moving over to Thunder Bay Volkswagen, he worked diligently to eventually obtain ownership of the dealership. Frank was an astute business man and successful in numerous business ventures until his retirement.

Mario was a long-time member of St. Anthony’s Church and the Italian Cultural Centre of Thunder Bay. He had a passion for sports and actively cheered on his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. He also really enjoyed soccer and played in leagues throughout his life. Hobbies included gardening, making wine and tomato sauce. Above all else, family was Mario's main priority and truly loved spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. He was a quiet, humble man of few words, but you definitely listened when he spoke. Mario will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Mario is survived by his loving wife of nearly 53 years, Margaret (nee Cunningham); daughter Angela Cupello (fiance John Wilson) and her children Peter Shmanka, Arian Shmanka (fiance Peter Henry), Ryan Shmanka and Makinsey Shmanka, and his special great-granddaughter Layla Henry; daughter Donna St. Pierre (husband Jody St. Pierre); three sisters Fernanda (Walter) Oles, Frances (Dan) Kossar and Sylvia (Ron) Kivi, and brother-in-law Armando Iachetta; mother-in-law Phyllis Cunningham; brothers-in-law Leonard “Butch” (Jane Anne) Cunningham, Ed Neill, and sister-in-law Barbara Dufault. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives also survive in Canada, Italy, United States and Greece.

Mario is predeceased by his parents Angela and Emilio Cupello; sister Maria Turco and brother-in-law Geppino Turco (Italy), Emma Iachetta; nephews David Kivi and Frank Iachetta; father-in-law Robert Cunningham; sister-in-law Kathleen Neill; and brother-in-law Dave Dufault.

Funeral services for the late Mr. Francesco (Frank) Mario Cupello will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017 leaving the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley St. at Algoma at 10:30am to St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church for the Funeral Mass at 11:00am celebrated by Father Luigi Filippini. Interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday evening after 5:00pm in the Everest Chapel, with the Vigil Prayers offered at 7:00pm. A reception will be held at the Prince Arthur Hotel, Dawson Room, 17 North Cumberland Street from 12:30pm to 3:30pm.

Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations to PRO Kids Thunder Bay or any charity to benefit of children, or the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.ca) would be greatly appreciated.