It is with sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Bruno Larizza announce his passing at home on Friday, May 27, 2016 after a short illness.
Bruno was born in Serra San Bruno, Catanzaro, Italy on April 5, 1934. He was the youngest son of eight children born to Rocco and Maria Francesca (Pisani) Larizza. His early travels and adventures led him to Port Arthur in 1956 to join his older brothers Giuseppe and Nazzareno. Upon arrival, he began working in various bush camps with Great Lakes and Abitibi.
In 1958, he returned to Serra San Bruno to marry his childhood sweetheart Giuseppina “Bruna” Tassone on February 1, 1959. Together, in May of 1959 they returned to Port Arthur and began a family.
He went back to work for Great Lakes and Abitibi for 25 years in various bush camps across Northwestern Ontario. Working in bush camps was his job to support his family, although his passion was designing, building homes and apartment buildings, all of which are still standing in Thunder Bay. Bruno worked hard his whole life but always took time for himself.
He would go to the Italian hall to meet up with friends; they would play cards, have a few drinks and socialize. He believed life should always have a balance, work hard, save money, spend money and enjoy life with everyone around him.
Bruno will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Giuseppina “Bruna”, his wife of 57 years; five children Rocco, Salvatore (Tina), Umberto, Mario and Nazzareno (Michelle); grandchildren Angel, Bruno, Salvatore, Sara and Michael; siblings Rosina Muzzi, Addolorata (Nazzareno), Frederico in Italy; sisters-in-law Marietta Larizza and Angelina Pisani in Italy; brother-in-law Salvatore (Giuseppina) Tassone, Antonio (Raffaela) Tassone, Cosimo (Immaculata) Tassone; sisters-in-law Filomena Tassone and Gina Tassone. Bruno will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews in Thunder Bay, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
Bruno was predeceased by his parents, father-in-law Bruno Luigi and mother-in-law Maria Rosaria Tassone; brothers Giuseppe (Brunina), Salvatore (Angelina), Rosario (Luisa) and Nazzareno; sister Catina (Angelo) Tassone; brothers-in-law Giuseppe Tassone, Nazzareno Tassone, Domenic Pisani and Franchesco Muzzi; sisters-in-law Rosina (Bruno) Caruso and Nazzarena (Salvatore) Pelaia.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 2:30 p.m. to St. Anthony’s R. C. Church for the Funeral Mass to be celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday evening, May 30th, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, where the Vigil Service will begin at 7:00 p.m.
As expressions of sympathy, donations in Bruno’s memory to St. Anthony’s Church would be appreciated.
