Francesco Degli Angeli
elevated eTgZB July 16, 1928 – May 3, 2021
elevated eTgZB Francesco Degli Angeli was born on July 16, 1928 in Lago, Cosenza, Italy. When he was born he wasn’t responding like a normal baby, so his mother prepared a coffin and dressed him up in a white outfit. Francesco’s parents got on a donkey and carried him to the nearest town to see what a doctor could do for their son. The doctor gave him a needle and said there was a 50/50 chance he would make it. The odds were in his favour. This was where Francesco’s journey of life began. Francesco was the oldest of five boys. Being the oldest in those days meant helping out in the kitchen while the others helped in the fields. Francesco would share stories of his days in the kitchen making tagliarini (which is homemade pasta). He would also share stories of the mischievousness that he and his brothers would get into. Being in the country also meant helping out your neighbour. It was while helping out a neighbour that Francesco met the love of his life, Filomena (Lina) Feriozzo. The love blossomed such that on March 10th 1951 the two lovebirds were married. It was during this time that the Canadian National Railroad went to their small town to recruit men to work on the railroad in Canada. This was a perfect opportunity to travel to a new country for a better future. Unfortunately this meant leaving his newlywed wife with his parents and brothers. Reluctantly, after just one week of married bliss, Francesco left his small town for the promised land. He had no idea what he would find when he arrived in Northern Ontario. Francesco would tell stories of how the winters were bitterly cold and the summers were hot and humid. In fact the black flies and mosquitos were so big they would eat you alive. This was not exactly what Francesco had in mind as his “better future”. In 1953 he moved to Toronto and began to call over his wife and other family members to join him in Canada. Francesco and Lina wanted to start having a family and in 1955 they had their first born, a daughter named Mary, followed by their second, a son named Salvatore in 1956. Francesco bought his first house at 49 Fielding Avenue which was located just north of the Danforth. This house became full with immigrants, parents, brothers, brother-in-laws and cousins, all living together. This house is still talked about today as it brings back memories of laughter, playing cards, and much more by all who lived or visited there. Even the local doctors and nurses had visions of this house being a hotel when their patients gave 49 Fielding as their home address. Despite the fact that Francesco did not know the language in this new land, he worked very hard to build a better life for his immediate and extended family. In an attempt to achieve this, Sunfield Landscaping was started in 1961. Francesco brought his younger brother Salvatore, who was more proficient in English, into the business and together they started another company called S&F Excavating Ltd in the early 70’s. Francesco accomplished much in his career but his greatest joy was providing a stable life for his family. In his retirement years Francesco took great pride in his fig and fruit trees. He built a special greenhouse for these fig trees which cost him a small fortune in hydro bills, however, this hobby brought him great joy. Despite all the time, energy and love he put into caring for his fig trees he never really ate any figs. Instead, he was happiest when he shared the figs with his wife, friends, family, grandkids and great grandkids. His legacy will continue in this country and contribute to its future. Francesco loved getting together with family, friends and was always there to lend a hand. Francesco has been predeceased by his parents Paolo Degli Angeli and Raffaela (Abate). His siblings are (late) Emilio Degli Angeli (Teresa Cassano), Antonio Degli Angeli (Fiorina Borrelli), (late) Giuseppe Degli Angeli (late, Lauretta Turco) and (late) Salvatore Degli Angeli (Ida Turchiaro). Francesco will be deeply missed by his children Mary Marrelli (Mario) and Salvatore Degli Angeli (late Silvana Catalano) and his grandkids Laurie-Ann D’Urzo (Joe), Lisa-Marie Marrelli (Hoa Tran), Christopher Marrelli (Christina), Adam Degli Angeli and Miranda Saraceno (Lucky). Adored by his great grandchildren Erika and Chelsea D’Urzo, Adelyn and Kaelyn Tran, Olivia Marrelli and Kai Saraceno. The family owes a great deal of gratitude to the nurses, PSW’s, recreation team, office team and everyone else at Unionville Home Society for doing an AMAZING job taking care of our beloved “Frankie”.
elevated eTgZB If desired, donations to the Unionville Home Society Foundation, would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Family and friends are invited to view the Funeral Mass on Friday May 7, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.
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We will always remember him as a very friendly man and always with a smile when he said hello.
our condolences to the whole family
Rosalia and Paul Obermeyer and family
Our deepest condolences for your loss. May God give you all strength at this difficult time.
May loving memories ease the pain in your hearts.
Our deepest condolences for the entire family. We are thinking of you all. With love Rose and Vito Falcichio
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. May he rest in peace.
Our condolences to all the Degli Angeli family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
What a beautiful send off to a great man we all loved and have the fondest memories of. And I can say, for sure that the same love for family, tradition and pride followed my Zio Francesco to his amazing kids Sam and Mary. My deepest condolences to your family but, what a beautiful legacy.
May you find comfort in your relationship and memories of Francesco. Such a gentle spirit as soar away to place where there will be no more tears and all his memory come flooding back. We will missed at UHS but his footprints will always be remembered. May God bless and comfort you during this time of celebration of life.
AT TIMES LIKE THIS IT SEEMS THAT WORDS DON’T MATTER MUCH, BECAUSE IT’S TRUE THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WORDS CAN NEVER TOUCH… BUT MAYBE IT WILL HELP TO KNOW THAT THOSE WHO CARE FOR YOU ARE HERE TO OFFER FRIENDSHIP AND BRING YOU COMFORT, TOO. OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY, MAY HE NOW REST IN PEACE WITH OUR MIGHTY GOD.
My favourite part of coming to Toronto has always been seeing Zia Lina and Zio Frank. I’m very grateful to have had a chance to see him on my last trip. I’ve been patiently waiting to come back to see him again. I have wonderful memories and will treasure them always. My Dad has his cousin with him. ♥️
Love,
Mena and family
Our deepest condolences from our family to yours. Not only was uncle Frank a great father, grandfather and uncle but was one of the most caring and thoughtful person in the world! He will truly be missed. Rest in peace
Our deepest condolences to the family, he will be missed, may you rest in peace 🕯🙏
Our condolences to all the Degli-Angeli family
With loving memories we share in your sorrow. Take comfort in knowing that he will be missed terribly and that your memories of him will always be in your heart. Although we cannot be with you at this difficult time, our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers are sent to you and your entire family.
With love,
Our family is close to you and shares your pain in this sad circumstance. Condolences.
Vincenzo e Maria Teresa Cassano & family
Our sincere condolences to your family. May he Rest In Peace. 🙏💙
Our deepest sympathies are extended to the Degli Angeli family. We know that Uncle Frank will be dearly missed by all, but always remembered.
Mariannina Guzzo
Our deepest condolences to the family, he will be missed, may he rest in peace 🕯🙏💔
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. He was truly a good man who was loved by many. He was a man who worked hard his whole life and helped many other families when there was a need. May he now rest in the piece that he deserves.
We are all close to you in this difficult time
and we remember our great Uncle Frank with our hearts and prayers.
Sacco family and Maria Germanese
My most sincere Condolences to the Degli Angeli Family. Know that I share in your sorrow, and send my love and prayers.
Sentite condoglianze alla famiglia Degli Angeli.
Un uomo molto gentile, sempre sorridente.
L’eterno riposo dona lui Signore.
Serafino e Rosetta Pagliocca