It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Nazzarena Pelaia on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, in Thunder Bay, Ontario with her loving family by her side.
Born in Serra San Bruno, Italy, Nazzarena immigrated to Canada in 1966 with her husband Salvatore Pelaia and four young children. Later, she and Salvatore grew their family and raising eight children became a top priority. Being the nurturing and loving woman she was, Nazzarena enjoyed cooking and appreciated having her family and friends surround her. Outside the home, she was employed by various restaurants in Thunder Bay, most notably Arthur’s Café and Chai’s Restaurant.
Nazzarena adored being outdoors. She spent endless days tending to her gardens and with her husband grew more than enough food for their family. She was a great fishing partner, an avid blueberry picker, and a “supervisor” of all things.
Imparted upon her children is a strong work ethic and “do-it-yourself” attitude. Nazzarena taught her children many customs including pasta making, bread baking and sausage making. She had a strong sense of justice and was not afraid to advocate for what she believed in. We will remember her comical candidness and her intuitive capacity to know what we were feeling. Her selflessness and “pay-it-forward” mindset are a model for us to live by. These values also were part of the foundation of her profound faith which helped guide her through her whole life.
Among the many who are left to cherish the memories are her siblings and their families Giuseppe Tassone (Filomena), Salvatore Tassone (Giuseppina), Angelina Pisani, Marietta Larizza, Antonio Tassone (Rafaella), (Gina Tassone), Cosmo Tassone (Immacolata) and Bruna Larizza (Bruno). Her children, Assunta Patsiatzis, Joe Pelaia, Rosarina (Francesco) Caruso, Bruno Pelaia (Alice Soares), Cosmo (Donna) Pelaia, Domiano (Sheena) Pelaia, Antonio Pelaia, Rocco Pelaia (Donna Miceli) and 15 grandchildren and great grandchildren also morn this loss.
Nazzarena is predeceased by her father and mother Bruno and Maria Rosaria Tassone and her husband, Salvatore Pelaia. Her siblings, and brothers in-law Rosina Caruso (Bruno), Domenico Pisani, Nazzareno Larizza, Nazzareno Tassone, and grandchildren, also greet her.
A funeral mass for the Late Nazzarena Pelaia will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church, 123 Hilldale Rd. celebrated by Father Luigi Filippini. Following the mass Entombment will take place In Our Lady of Charity Mausoleum in St. Andrew’s R.C. Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on October 16, 2015, from 3:30-5:30 P.M. at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church, with vigil prayers beginning at 5:15 P.M. As expressions of sympathy, donations in Nazzarena‘s memory may be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre - Northern Cancer Fund.
