It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ugo Rizzuto, loving husband, father, Nonno, great-grandfather and uncle on Monday, July 25, 2016.
Born March 29, 1930 in Pedivigliano, Cosenza, Italy to Giuseppe Rizzuto and Caterina Calfa.
As a young boy he enjoyed the simple life on the family farm in southern Italy working in the orchards and vineyards, harvesting wheat and tending to the family’s flock of sheep. Ugo served in the Italian army as a young man, this is where he developed a great sense of responsibility and strong work ethic which he displayed throughout his life.
Ugo married the love of his life (Rosa Angotti) in January of 1957 and in the years to follow had 2 children. Ugo’s sense of duty to provide a better life for his growing family and his adventurous nature led him away to many places for work. As a young husband and father he left his home to work in the western Alps in Northern Italy to build railway tunnels. It was then that Ugo decided to join his brother in Canada.
He quickly found work in Ontario with The Canadian National Railway. During those years he adopted the regional passions of hunting and fishing. By this time his family had grown by one and being away from them, made life more difficult. In 1966, he purchased a home in Fort William amongst many other immigrants from Pedivigliano and brought his family to Canada.
He started employment with Richardson’s Terminals, welcomed the fourth child, Ernesta, enjoyed many family functions and outings until his retirement. He enjoyed gardening, a good cup of espresso, but above all took pleasure in his role as a father and a nonno. Ugo is survived by his devoted wife Rosa, son Joe Rizzuto (Lana), daughters Catherine Matthews (Tim), Enza Michaliuk (Ron) and Ernesta, grandchildren Ryan Rizzuto (Brittany), Stuart Matthews, Tyler Rizzuto, Gillian Matthews, Madison Rizzuto and great-grand daughter Sophia Rizzuto.
Predeceased by his parents, and parents-in-law Luigi and Vincenza Angotti. He was the last surviving member of the large Rizzuto family. He is now reunited with his brothers, Antonio, Pietro, Francesco, and Ernesto, sisters Filomena, Angela and Gesuza. He also leaves behind in Thunder Bay, his sister-in-law Lidia Rizzuto, nephew Joe, nieces Silvana (Italo), Mary (Roger), Sandra (Doug) and their children all of Thunder Bay.
Along with their local family members he is survived by more in Italy, Australia, England and many parts of Canada and the US. Prayers and visitation will be held at 8:00 PM on Monday, August 1st, 2016 following evening mass at St Dominic’s Church. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 at St. Dominic’s Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Alzheimer’s Association of Thunder Bay would be greatly appreciated.
Ugo Rizzuto will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017.
