It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pina, 76 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Thunder Bay on April 23, 2022 with family by her side.
Pina was born on March 18, 1946 in Serra San Bruno, Province of Vibo Valentia, Italy. She was the oldest of five children. She came to Canada in 1961 arriving in Port Arthur at the age of 15.
She met and married her soul mate, the love of her life, Mike on August 17, 1963. They were happily married for 53 years and together they raised four beautiful children. Shortly thereafter they moved to Toronto.
In 1980, Pina moved her family back to Thunder Bay.
Pina was fond of Italian culture, folk song music, dancing (tango), cooking for family and friends, watching cooking shows and especially helping family. She also enjoyed gardening in her flower and vegetable beds. Her children and grandchildren were the most dearest to her heart whom she loved and cherished. She was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and friend. Pina was a creative and stylish woman who was very generous, kind-hearted and who enjoyed making others laugh. She was also a long-time member of St. Anthony Rectory.
Pina will be sadly missed by her children Norma Ferrari, Tony (Joyce) Ferrari, Luisa (Lorne) Belisle and Rosy (Jhonny) Vintimilla; grandchildren Michelle & Juliana Genova, Michael, Josee, Jenna and Sydney Ferrari, Mike and Maria Vintimilla; brother Rocco (Rosemarie) Larizza, and sister Bruna (Giulio) Frattaroli; brother-in-law Carmelo (Marisa) Ferrari. Numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives also survive.
She was predeceased by her husband Mike Ferrari; her parents Luisa and Rosario Larizza; sister Rita Pugliese; brother-in-law Tony Pugliese; brother Sam Larizza; sister-in-law Maria Naccarato; and brother-in-law Mario Naccarato.
Special thank you to Uncle Rocco and Aunt Bruna for all their support and loving care of our mother. We would also like to thank Dr. Ibrahim, Dr. Simpson, all the TBRHSC Cancer Centre staff, 1A Oncology staff and Dr. Miller of St. Joe’s Hospital along with the 4th floor North staff for all their compassion and empathy. We would also like to include a big thank you to Tammy LaPlante of St. Elizabeth Health Care.
Funeral Services for Pina will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 10:30 a.m. to St. Anthony’s Church, 123 Hilldale Road, where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Luigi Filippini at 11:00 a.m. A private entombment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be held in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with vigil prayers at 7:00 p.m.
For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.
In lieu of flowers if friends so desire, donations may be made in Pina’s memory to prayer masses.
