Obituary of Mario Leonardo Di Franco
Di Franco, Mario.
We have been so blessed to have had such a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather in our lives. Mario was loving, faith-inspired, and as generous as they come.
Mario is loved and missed by his wife of 69 years, Lina, his four children, Dominic (Ellen), Mike (Georgette), Tony (Bambina) and Mario (Carrie). His grandchildren, Matthew (Carrie), Melissa (Aaron), Jeremy (Lisa), Chelsea, Christina (Andrei), Victoria and Sofia will deeply miss hearing their Nonno’s life stories, singing, garden tours and homemade calendars. His great grandchildren Benjamin, Mikaia, Gracie, Gage and Emmie will miss making pasta and paper airplanes with their Nonno. Also left to mourn Mario are his brothers Joe (Vittoria) and John (Maria), brother in law Larry, and many nieces and nephews. Mario is pre-deceased by his sister Filomena (John), brother Pietro (Carmella), sister Antonietta (Vittorio), and sister-in-law Grace.
Mario was the first president and a founding member of the B.V. Della Grazie. He was heavily involved in St. Alfred’s Parish as a cantor, lector and lay minister.
Mario was born in Castellino Del Biferno on January 10th 1929. Mario married Lina on January 7th 1951 and immigrated to St. Catharines from Naples in 1959. Mario worked hard for nine months to raise enough money in order to bring his wife and children over from Italy to begin their new life together. Mario later started and ran a successful stucco and plastering business for over 40 years. Mario passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on September 18th 2020. His faith and devotion to Christ was the compass that guided him through his life and now to Heaven. Family and friends will gather at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Monday, September 21, 2020 from 12:00PM to 2:00PM followed by a Funeral Service in our ceremony room. Entombment to follow at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens.
Live stream link for Mario's Funeral Service at 2:00PM https://youtu.be/ItOtc_891JE
As per the Province of Ontario Covid-19 regulations - visitation is limited to 30% building capacity. Funeral attendance is limited to 65 guests. All guests attending the visitation or funeral MUST wear a mask.
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