It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that the family of Maria Agostino wish to announce her peaceful passing on August 7, 2024 at T.B.R.H.S.C after a long and courageous battle with diabetes. Mrs. Maria Agostino was 79 years of age.
Maria was born on February 22,1945 to proud parents Giuseppe and Immacolata (Crupi) De Leo in her beloved city of Donisi, Italy. As a young woman in Italy, her passions included embroidery, sewing and dancing. Maria met and fell in love with Ferruccio Agostino in Donisi and the two were married on February 9, 1964 celebrating an amazing 60 years of marriage this past spring. In the early 1970’s the family immigrated to Fort William with their 3 children Joseph, Mariella and Cosimo where their fourth child Lucia would be born. It was in Thunder Bay that together they built an incredible life surrounded by their children and extended family. Maria embodied the best qualities of unconditional love, strength of spirit and unending generosity that could be seen in the care of her husband, her children and their spouses, grandchildren and countless others. Her family was her greatest love and she embraced them with immense pride and passion.
The family business (Agostino’s Deli) was a great source of pride for her and she was the cornerstone of its daily operation. Together with her husband and children a bakery/deli was established that has served the community for 38 years. She valued everyone who entered the doors and was ready to greet her customers with a huge smile, open heart and fun conversation. A hardworking woman, Maria could always be found working the cash register at Agostino’s Deli. Customers were like family to Maria, she thoroughly enjoyed cooking and baking and then sharing all that was created within her kitchen with others.
Her annual trips to Italy with Ferruccio brought her endless amounts of joy. It is there she was able to connect to her roots and culture, enjoy her many friendships and familial ties and delight in their daily trips to the beach.
In recent years her strength and resilience shone through in her battle with illness. She endured many setbacks and difficult times but managed to maintain a positive outlook and a lively spirit. Despite all her health challenges she continued to enjoy her daily outings with her children and visits to the deli.
Maria will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her husband of 60 years Ferruccio, children: Joe (Sandra) Agostino, Mariella (Jeff) Ricciardi, Cosimo (Laura) Agostino and Lucia Agostino; grandchildren Jordan (Jaelyn), Joshua, Alessia, Luca, Siena, Emily, Olivia and Fiona as well as great grandson Anthony, brothers Antonio (Frances) Minnella and Michele (Antonella) Minnella, sister-in-law Bruna Minnella as well as by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was predeceased by her parents Giuseppe and Immacolata, father-in-law and mother-in-law Cosimo and Maria Agostino and her brother Domenic Minnella.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and support staff at Hogarth Riverview Manor 7S and at the T.B.R.H.S.C. Renal Care Unit and 2A for the amazing care and compassion that she received during her time with them.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 when family and friends will gather in St. Dominic’s R.C. Church for the Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Michael Mahoney. The interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Visitation for friends will be held in St. Dominic’s Church on Wednesday, August 14th from 9:30 a.m. until the Funeral Mass. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception and time of fellowship at the DaVinci following interment. Those unable to attend the service in person may do so via livestream through the Sargent & Son Facebook page. As an expression of sympathy, memorials to the T.B.R.H.S.C. Foundation Renal Unit or Cardiac Care Campaign would be appreciated. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com
