With sorrow, we announce the passing of Carmela (Melina) De Marco (née Plutino) on February 24, 2024, at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. Carmela was the dearly loved wife of Antonio (predeceased), loving mother of Anthony (Janet Brotton) and Linda (Nick Margarit), cherished grandmother of Vanessa (Robert), Nicholas and Lauren.
Carmela was sister to: Lina (Caterina) Fiorito (Michael: predeceased) of Greenwich, CT; Joanne (Giovanna) Bueti (Frank: predeceased) of Greenwich, CT; Nancy (Vincenza) Greco (Archy: predeceased) of North Bay; and Brigida Plutino of North Bay. Carmela is predeceased by her parents Giuseppe and Sapienza (née Ficara); sister Brilla; brothers Rocco (Hélène: predeceased) of Sturgeon Falls, and Nicola (Dora) of North Bay.
Through her brothers, sisters and in-laws, Carmela was a loving aunt to Carol Ann, Michael, Victoria, John and Lisa (by Nancy); Béatrice, Tony, Ricardo (predeceased) and Pauline (by Rocco); Joseph, Rosanna, Lucia, Luisa and Marco (predeceased) (by Nicola); Vincent and Cathy (by Lina); and Anthony and Steven (by Joanne); Cathy, Sarina and Frank (by Stefano and Francesca); Dennis, D'Arcy, Mark, John and Tim (by Domenic and Alice); Michael and Christine (by Vespino and Winnie); Holly, Tony, Greg and Debbie (by Valentino and Jeanette); Clementina, Gina and Antonella (by Maria Sinicrope); and Marco Genovese.
Carmela was born in Gallina, Calabria, Italia in 1926. In her teenage years, she earned a diploma in seamstress skills. Soon she was forced into protecting her younger siblings from air raids by seeking refuge in bomb shelters in south Calabria mountainsides.
Carmela wed Antonio in Italia on February 12, 1949, and, soon after, immigrated to Canada, living a short time in the Little Italy (College Street) enclave of Toronto. Upon settling in North Bay, the couple established the "Dainty Lunch" on Main Street, West, and soon after operated "De Marco's Restaurant" (serving Italian, Chinese and Canadian cuisine).
For a short duration, Carmela operated "Melina's Tots and Teens" clothing store, also on Main, West. Carmela and Antonio returned to the service sector operating "De Marco's Home Specialties" restaurant from 1972 to 1975, (current site of Cassells Animal Hospital).
Carmela changed career direction on joining Boart (formerly, Canadian Longyear), where she was employed from 1975 to her retirement in 1991. There she set industrial diamonds into mining drills bits supporting mineral exploration activities throughout the world. Carmela quickly gained respect and friendship with the many women in her work unit.
Carmela offered her assistance to others throughout her life. During the 1950s, Carmela sponsored immediate and extended family members, and other Italian citizens, in successful bids to immigrate to Canada. All have been, or continue to be, business persons supporting the economies in the North Bay, Sturgeon Falls, Toronto, Montréal and Greenwich municipalities.
Carmela was endlessly encouraging her children, from their early ages, to attain higher levels of education.
Carmela's hobbies included maintaining an extensive flower garden: from 2003 to 2006, it was selected as one of the nominees for "Communities In Bloom" Front Yard Garden Contest. Indeed, on May 31, 2014, the North Bay Nugget published a photograph of Carmela tending to her back yard garden, complete with story on the North Bay Symphony Garden Tour fundraiser. On occasion Carmela offered her garden vistas to newlyweds seeking flamboyant portrait backdrops.
Not one to limit herself to colourful summer displays, Carmela's Reynolds Street home was featured in the Nugget with a December 23, 1999, photograph of her "bedazzling" Christmas lighting display.
Carmela enjoyed preparing fabulous meals for her family and friends. She was known for April Fools' antics played on her sisters and unsuspecting friends. Her playful side will be greatly missed.
Family will be receiving visitors at McGuinty Funeral Home on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8 pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 11 am, led by Father Joseph. Entombment will occur at Prospect Court Mausoleum - Prospect Cemetery, located at 1450 St. Clair Avenue, West, (east of Caledonia Avenue), at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Alzheimer's Society of Canada, North Bay Regional Health Centre - Palliative Care, or the Pro-Cathedral Roof Replacement Fund, would be gratefully appreciated.
Our heartfelt expressions of thanks and appreciation to Dr. Richard Trenker, for his friendship and years of care.
We greatly appreciate the guidance and understanding offered by Dr. Inez Jinnah, through the sorrowful, month-long, journey of palliative care. For the compassionate care given to Carmela, her family sends a special thank-you to the nurses and support employees at North Bay Regional Health Centre, Ward C3. Carmela forged a special relationship with the young women Personal Social Workers (Home Instead), and nurses (CarePartners and North East Local Health Integration Network). We are grateful to Evan Jeanneault (Community Paramedicine-Nipissing District), for his attention to Carmela's dietary and health monitoring over her final years. The family appreciates the assistance offered to Carmela by her caring neighbours: Kaleigh, Lorraine, Terry and Glen.
Online Condolences can be made at www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com