Obituary of Filippo Di Franco

April 14, 1939 – Francavilla di Sicilia
August 13, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Filippo Di Franco, beloved husband of Yolanda his wife of 49 years. In addition to his devoted wife, Filippo will be sadly missed by his six children, Salvatore (Katrina), Daniela (Paolo), Elisa (Najeeb), Marco, Giacomo (Jennifer), Davide (Dora) and his grandsons, whom he cherished, Gabriele, Isacco and Milano. Filippo is also survived by extended family, nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada, Italy, United States and Australia. Filippo was predeceased by his parents, siblings and Nunzio Mercia, his life-long best friend and consigliere whom he knew since childhood.  
 
Filippo was born on April 14, 1939 to Salvatore and Filippa, and was the youngest of seven children.  Filippo immigrated to Montreal, Canada in 1966 and moved further west to Calgary in 1969.  In 1970, Filippo met the love of his life, Yolanda at the Kingdom Hall. On August 5, 1972 the most important change in his life came when he showed his dedication to Jehovah God by water baptism.  Filippo and Yolanda were married on August 12, 1972 and from that point on his family grew, and his focus was to instill the same love and loyalty for his God to his children and everyone he knew.  

Filippo will be remembered for his courage, positivity and devotion to his family and his faith in Jehovah. 

His sense of humour and infectious laugh made others around him smile. He loved to engage in conversation with everyone and always had a very animated way to tell a story. He often became the life of the party and loved to dance. 

Memories we cherish include his passion for wood working, wine making, his garden, his hospitality, and making friends feel like family. He was happiest when his children and grandchildren were around him for family dinners. 

His door was always open to everyone, welcoming them with a big smile, an espresso, or a glass of homemade wine. 

Filippo was a man who was highly respected for his work ethic, resourcefulness and unmatched love for his family, providing for them ensuring they lacked nothing.  

Grazie Nonno per tutto.  Ti vogliamo tanto bene.
 
These are memories of Filippo Di Franco.  We think about him always.  Talk about him constantly. He will never be forgotten, and we hold him close in our hearts until we meet again in paradise when he will be healthy and vibrant echoing one of his favorite scriptures:
Isaiah 35:4-6 “Be strong. Do not be afraid...  At that time the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
At that time the lame will leap like the deer, and the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy”
 
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for all the phone calls, messages, flowers and food.

The funeral service will be held virtually on Zoom at 1:00 (MDT) Saturday August 21, 2021. Written messages of condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family via email: difrancofam99@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to www.donate.jw.org or www.alsab.ca.

In living memory of Filippo Di Franco, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by Mcinnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.