Mrs. Irene Tarabocchia, age 81 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, on September 8, 2015 with family by her side.
Irene was born in Bentley, Alberta on May 1, 1934 and grew up on a small farm in Eckville, Alberta. She moved to Port Arthur, Ontario with her mother at the age of 18 and within one week met the love of her life, Antonio (Tony), at the Finn Hall dance. Irene joined the Catholic faith after meeting Tony and within the year they were married.
Initially, Irene worked at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital as switchboard operator. A few years later, Irene & Tony decided to start a business of their own, "Tony's TV & Stereo." Their business grew from a small repair shop within the family home on Oliver Road to eventually opening three stores. Irene and Tony enjoyed many business travels throughout the world to a variety of places, including: Spain, Hawaii and Africa. In later years, she kept busy with home-based businesses, receiving many awards for her accomplishments.
Irene loved growing flowers and spending time with her family and friends. She always remembered birthdays and helped to celebrate by baking one of her special cakes or pies. Her home and heart were always open to helping strangers who soon became friends. She always remained very devoted to the Catholic church and spreading the word.
Irene will be lovingly remember by her husband Antonio; children Rina Desimone, Anthony Tarabocchia (Ramona), Lori Stevens (Barry), Kim Pappalardo (Gary), Jay Tarabocchia, Mark Tarabocchia (Tana), Noel Tarabocchia; 15 grandchildren: Aaron & Justin Desimone, Natasha & Toni-Lynn Tarabocchia, Rae-ann & Roger Stevens, Andrea DeAgazio, Ashley Lacaria, Alyssa Pappalardo, Ryan, Kyle, Antonio, Caitlin & Krista Tarabocchia, Autumn Tarabocchia; 15 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and her sister Jean Beaman.
Irene was predeceased by her father John Kemila, mother Lily Honkanen, step-father Kauko Honkanen.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 14, 2015 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 12:30 p.m. to Corpus Christi Church, 664 Red River Road, for the Funeral Mass to begin at 1:00 p.m. celebrated by Rev. Alan Albao. Friends may gather directly at the church. Interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery. A reception and a time to meet with the family will follow in the halls of the Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street. Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Irene's memory to Covenant House (www.covenanthousedonations.ca) or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
