Rosina Renzi

With great sadness and loving hearts, the family of Rosina Renzi announce her passing on January 26, 2021 at the age of 88.

Rosina was born on March 28, 1932 in Prignano, Salerno Italy, famous for its lemon trees and olive groves. She caught the eye of local boy Francesco Renzi and they married on October 23, 1952 by proxy as Frank was in Canada working and establishing their home. Rosina arrived in Fort William, Ontario, now Thunder Bay, Ontario in April of 1953 and carved out a legacy as a warm and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Because of her strong faith, she was also deeply involved with her community through long time membership in St. Dominic’s Catholic Women’s League, St. Dominic’s Seniors Club, the Principe di Piemonte Women’s Auxiliary, and St. Dominic’s Italian Choir. She gave her time selflessly and with great joy to these endeavours and made many long time and close friendships.

Rosina’s main focus was her family, and she excelled at bringing everyone together in love through her cooking, gardening, preserving, and entertaining skills. Groups, large or small could always count on her hospitality and open door. These included family gatherings, special occasions, out of town company, Saturday night card games, Thursday night coffee groups, and even the college strikers when they needed a break. Her other passion was traveling, especially returning to her roots in Italy and to New York where she maintained deep and loving ties with family and friends.

Rosina is survived by her children Luigi (Rhonda), Vera Bodnarchuk, Angela Morris (Dan), Nick (Carmel), and Rob; by her loving grandchildren Daryl and Daniel Morris, David (Dorothy) and Nicholas (Kaitlyn) Renzi, Kevin (Hayley) and Stephanie Bodnarchuk, and Michael Renzi. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Mason, Owen, Brody, Grant, Jaxson, and Myles. Rosina leaves to mourn her brothers Mario (Brenda) Pace, Vincenzo (Vanna) Pace, brother-in-law Nicola (Maria) Renzi and sister-in-law Yvonne Ruth Pace as well as many nieces and nephews in Canada, New York, and Italy.

Rosina was pre-deceased by her loving husband Francesco Renzi, her parents Nicola Pace and Angelina Bolletina, her parents-in-law Luigi Renzi and Elvira Cernelli, her brother Guiseppe Pace, and her son-in-law Walter (Mooner) Bodnarchuk.

The family extends thanks to the staff, PSWs, recreation leaders, and physio assistants at Hogarth for the care and support they provided.

Due to covid restrictions, a private family service will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 11:00 am with interment to follow at St. Andrew’s Cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed at the Blake Funeral Chapel Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/BlakeFuneralChapel) beginning at 10:50 am on Tuesday.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thunder Bay Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of their choice.


Non piangere perché è finita, sorridi perché è accaduto.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
(Dr. Seuss)
Ripose in Pace