Mrs. Rosa Potestio, age 96 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully in St. Joseph’s Hospital on Monday, January 23, 2017 with family by her side.
Rosa was born in Grimaldi, Italy on June 16, 1920. In 1953, along with her children John, Mario and Angela, she journeyed to Canada to join her beloved husband Francesco. Several years later they were blessed with another son, Tony.
Rosa, being the matriarch of a traditional Italian family, stayed home to raise and nurture her children, while Francesco went off to work as a cook on railway construction.
Rosa was an avid gardener and would grow and preserve enough vegetables to last through the winter. She loved to have her children and grandchildren around the dining room table where she would prepare Italian meals fit for a gourmet Italian restaurant. Everyone loved to have dinner at Nona’s.
Rosa, Francesco and daughter Angela wintered in Acapulco, Mexico. Many other Thunder Bay “Paesani” vacationed with them over a period of 25 years.
Rosa was a member of St. Anthony’s seniors, where she enjoyed her weekly BINGOs at the church.
Rosa is survived and lovingly remembered by her children John (Alba), Mario (Denise), Tony (Heather), and Angela (who cared for Rosa and Francesco in their latter years); grandchildren Frank (Maureen), Rose (Darwin), Mario Jr., Margaret (Dave), Rose (Kevin), Alana and Alexa; great grandchildren Alexander and Erica (Potestio), Paula and Amanda (Bakke), Violet, Mario, Paul, Dylan (Cross), Frank, Justine, Thomas (Hawkins).
Rosa is also survived by sisters Menuzza Niccoli and Elvira Saccomanno and numerous nephews and nieces both in Canada and Italy.
Rosa is predeceased by husband Francesco; brothers Eugenio, Silvio, Ernesto (Bruno Bossio); and grandson Frank Potestio.
Rosa’s family would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the medical professionals at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital, and a special thanks to Dr. Scali for his many years of care.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 30, 2017 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 10:00 a.m. to St. Anthony’s Church, 123 Hilldale Road, for the Funeral Mass to be celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini beginning at 10:30 a.m. Private entombment will follow in the family mausoleum in St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday afternoon, January 29th from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, where the Prayer Service will begin at 3:00 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations to St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church or St. Joseph’s Foundation would be appreciated.
