Obituary of Nicola Santoianni

Nicola Santoianni, beloved father of Luigi (Emilia) Santoianni; grandfather of Anna (Luigi) Perri, Mena, and Nick; and great-grandfather of twenty one month old Giovanni, passed away peacefully at the Foothills Hospital on Friday June 1, 2007. Nicola is now re-united with God and with his beloved wife Annantonia (nee Colabella) who passed away in 1993; and his precious daughter and little angel Maria, who passed away at age six in 1960. Nicola is also survived by his sister-in-law Carolina Santoianni, Annantonia’s sister and wife of Nicola’s dear brother Domenico, who predeceased him in 2003. The two brothers and two sisters lived together as a family all their married lives. He is survived by numerous nephews, nieces and relatives in Calgary, Canada, the U.S., and Italy. He was predeceased by his dear sisters, Antonietta Di Marzo of Calgary, Annamaria Colabella, who briefly lived in Calgary, Giovannantonia, Nicolina, Filomena and Rosina. Nicola was born, the youngest of eight children, to Luigi and Mariadomenica Santoianni on February 17, 1921, in Bonefro, Campobasso, Italy. He married his loving wife Annantonia in1948 and they had two children; me in 1950 and my sister Maria in 1954. Dad first immigrated to Calgary, along with Carolina, in 1956 to join his brother Domenico. Dad was an extremely hard worker and was employed in the construction industry for many years, including close to twenty years with Standard General, until his retirement in 1984. He would proudly wear his yellow Standard General (SG) cap. He loved visiting with family and friends and especially visiting with friends at Beddington Mall. He also enjoyed a card game of tresette or scopa, bocce, telling stories, yard work and of course making wine. Dad was totally devoted to his family and also cared warmly for relatives and friends. He always had a very special love and care for mom and in particular when mom was ill for several years before she passed away. His affection and care for me and my wife Emilia and all our family was infinite. Dad beamed with pride and joy when he would see his grandchildren and when he met Giovanni at the Brentwood Nursing home. He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by me and my family and by my aunt Carolina, also a resident at the Brentwood Nursing Home where Dad had spent the last two and a half years. A special thanks to the staff at the Intercare Brentwood who cared dearly for ‘Papa’. Throughout his life and his final journey Dad showed courage and strong faith with special devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph and St. Anthony, which I’m sure helped him deal with his many challenges in life. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) today, June 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Italian and English Catholic Church (1714 – 14th Avenue N.E.) on Wednesday June 6, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Mausoleum. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Nicola Santoianni, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.