How do we say goodbye to our most precious and devoted father and grandfather Broken, we begin to try.
It is with the deepest of sorrow and heavy, heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Pasquale Greco, with family by his side. He passed peacefully on Thursday, February 15th, 2024, at the age of 96. His loving, adoring, and devoted wife, Theresa (Rota), mourns the passing of her loving husband of 72 years.
He is predeceased by his parents, Gabriele and Giulia (DeVuono); brothers, Alfredo (Rose), Italo, Renato (Rosetta), Antonio; and sister, Emma (Luigi, deceased). He is survived by sister, Anna Maria (Antonio, deceased) and youngest sibling, Mario. Papa leaves behind his beautiful family which includes loving daughters, Giuliana Van De Wal (Richard) and Adriana Di Benedetto (Alfredo); adoring grandchildren, Lianne Van De Wal Edgar (Brad), Samantha Kauppi (Adam), David Di Benedetto (Ashley), Alisa Di Benedetto (Tory Damude), Paula North (Davin); and beautiful, loving great-grandchildren, Ava and Ari Edgar, baby Giana Kauppi, Eleanora and Santino Di Benedetto, Lennox North and baby sister on-the-way. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom hold him in high esteem with much love and respect.
Pasquale was born in the beautiful little town of Piane Crati, Cosenza in Italy on March 16th, 1927. He loved his beautiful Mediterranean country but, as all immigrants looking towards a better life, he made the extremely difficult choice to leave his family and come to Canada, the land of opportunity. With no more than $200 to his name and his beautiful, crystal clear-sounding guitar, he answered the call from his Zia Rosina to come to Canada and he set sail across the Atlantic in 1952, ultimately settling in North Bay, Ontario, a small town that presented a land that was a far cry from the warmth of his Mediterranean country. It was not too long after that he met and fell in love with our mother, a beautiful, spunky, young woman who had a mother, Rosaria Rota (Occhiutto), with a heart of gold. Pasquale adored his mother-in-law, who treated him more like a son than a son-in-law. With her love and support, he sent for each of his siblings and parents to come to Canada. Each of them came through our home to settle and be comforted until they were on their feet and settled on their own. Each became happy, well-established, and productive members of society, grateful to their brother and Nana Rosaria to this very day for being instrumental in their success. While this process of calling family over from Italy was unfolding, Pasquale’s own family went into sacrificing mode in order to send packages of support and money from time to time. However, it must be noted, that he never left his own family wanting for anything. There was always plenty of nutritious food, varieties of foods, and all the necessary clothes and essentials of life. He provided his family with the best he could give but was always a minimalist. He raised his children to reduce, reuse, and recycle long, long before it became the wise thing to do for the environment and for the pocketbook. Throughout the years, to this very day, he raised his family and his extended family with an abundance of love, care, concern, and support, never setting any benchmarks as moments in time to let go. Each member of his growing family was special and important to him, worthy of his time, care, and concern. Undoubtedly, each and every one felt his love to this very day.
Pasquale was a man of many talents and skills who was known by many. He spent 35 years at Ontario Northland Railway, serving as a labourer and progressing to machinist helper. On weekends, since 1962, he honed the apprenticeship skills he received in Italy as a barber and hairstylist, from which he acquired numerous, well satisfied clients. He was a master gardener, giving each of his plants the most tender, loving care to produce fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, beans, peas, carrots, beets, basil, parsley… all the way to a mini vineyard and trellis of grapes. His gardens looked like artwork, flower gardens included. Our meals always included the fruits of his labour throughout the year. He always enjoyed a glass of wine at supper meal and insisted there be a jug of water at each table that was set. It was at this time that he usually chose to educate Giuliana and Adriana about life and his life in Italy – often reminding us about a happy life but also a life of hardship in Italy, and that though we were fortunate to be born in Canada, we should live within our means and appreciate the fruits of this country without abusing them. Pasquale loved to sing, singing at many Italian weddings in his early days; he loved mostly Italian music or any music with melody and sentiment, and played several instruments such as guitar, accordion, and mandolin. He also played team soccer and loved watching it, and he loved to hunt and to fish.
Most of all, however, Pasquale loved to love his family. How blessed and fortunate we have been to have him for almost 97 years – to love him, to appreciate and to respect him, and to be living with his enormous love for so long.
Carissimo Papa e Nono, we will never, ever forget you and the great love you bestowed upon us always. We are broken here without your beautiful face, presence, and guidance, but you will forever live in our hearts. We will cherish your memory and do our best to radiate this great love that lives deep in our hearts to do things right, to love and to serve family and others, as you requested. In the words of the prophet Micah, we will “walk humbly with God” as we strive to accomplish these things. We adore you, Papa. We will always love you so fervently. We miss you so passionately.
A private visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22nd 2024 at the McGuinty Funeral Home (North Bay). Mass will be held on Friday, February 23rd 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church on Memorial Drive. Entombment will take place at a later date at All Saints Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the North Bay Regional Health Centre.
Our heartfelt expressions of thanks and appreciation to Dr. Tuomi, Dr. Harman, and Dr. Pace; to Dr. Sogbein for his friendship and years of care; to Dr. Lougheed, Dr. Edie, and the Emergency room and Palliative Care nurses and staff at the North Bay Regional Health Centre; to Dr. Hasspieler, Linda Wilson, and staff for years of care; to Dr. Jinnah and the nurses and staff at Nipissing Serenity Hospice; and to Father Daniele Muscolino and the staff at Holy Name of Jesus Church.
Papa, you laid the groundwork for our success. You held us up so we could fly. We will forever cherish you in our hearts! May you be rewarded with Eternal Life with our Father and Blessed Mother in Heaven. Enjoy, our Dear, Sweet Angel, Papa!
Online condolences may be made at www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com