Obituary of Michele Mike EVANGELISTA

June 15, 1920 – April 18, 2013 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and Nonno. Michele “Mike” Evangelista passed away early Thursday morning, April 18, 2013 at the age of 92 years. Mike was born and raised in Sessano del Molise, Isernia, Italy. He was conscripted into the Italian army at the age of 21 and immediately entered World War II where he served in Northern Africa. There he would be captured and go on to serve two and a half years as a P.O.W. Upon his liberation, Mike returned home where he met and married Antonia Altieri on December 22, 1946. In 1959, Mike immigrated to Canada to seek a better life for his family. Throughout his career he worked building sidewalks for Standard General and later Marmot Concrete until his retirement in 1982. Until his health failed, Mike had a great passion for gardening, winemaking, wrestling, hockey and visiting with friends at North Hill mall. Above all else, his family was the center of his life. Mike is lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years Antonia; daughter Mirella (Stefano) Pangia; son Joseph; grandchildren, Gina Pangia and Joe (Antonia) Pangia; and two great-grandchildren, Michael and Gabriella Pangia. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in both Canada and Italy. Mike was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters, as well as their spouses. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (640 – 19th Avenue N.W.) on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (640 – 19th Avenue N.W.) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 15 Colonel Baker Place N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 4Z3 Telephone: (403) 261-7219, or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 781-1978, www.heartandstroke.ca. The family would like to thank the staff at Bayshore for all their assistance and compassion with Mike’s care in the past few years. In living memory of Mike Evangelista, 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. “Papa’ ti vogliamo un mondo di bene. I nostri cuori sono cosi’ pieni di dolore ma almeno, avremo sempre dei bellisimi ricordi. Sempre con te, i tuoi figli, Mirella e Joe.”