Franco Saija
elevated ICmMM 1936 ~ 2021
elevated ICmMM It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our dad and nonno has peacefully died on January 21, 2021 at the age of 84 and has joined his wife, the love of his life in Heaven. Born August 24, 1936 in Villafranca Tirrena, Messina, Sicilia to Santo and Santa Saija.
elevated ICmMM Franco will be forever missed by his daughters, Anna-Maria and Patrizia, and his grandchildren Andrew and Rachel, Matthew and Mackensie. Franco will be missed by many family and friends.
elevated ICmMM From Italy, sister Pina Cuciti (late Felice), sister in law Sarina Saija (late Giovanni) , sister in law Giovanna Sacca (late Bartolo), sister in law Santina Bombaci (late Francesco) and sister in law Francesca Battaglia (late Peppino). From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, His sister in law Concetta Saija (late Nino) and his nephews.
elevated ICmMM He enjoyed the long road trips to Philadelphia to see his brother Nino and Concetta and his 3 nephews, Santo, Carmen, and Gianfranco. It was always a special road trip that he took often. Franco had very special relationship over 50 years with his Comare Franca and his late Compare Sebastiano and his Comare Yeya and his late Compare Pepe. They welcomed him into their family when he immigrated to Canada. In good times and bad times, they always were there for each other.
elevated ICmMM A carpenter by trade, Franco enjoyed building things and fixing things, there was nothing he couldn’t do with the little scraps of wood and nails, nothing ever went to a waste. Franco will always be remembered by his love of gardening. He looked forward to spring when he could start his seeding indoors and transfer those to his vegetable garden in the backyard. He loved sharing all that he would grow with family and friends.
elevated ICmMM Dad, you are with mom now. We know she was with you when you took your last breath and guided you to Heaven with her. Your heart is whole again. Your memory, your legacy, your values that both you and mom have left, will live on forever in us. Forever in our hearts. We love you forever. Till we meet again.
elevated ICmMM Due to our COVID 19 pandemic, a private viewing will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home on Tuesday January 26, 2021. A live streaming of Franco’s Funeral Service may be viewed on Tuesday January 26, 2021 at 12 p.m. by clicking HERE. A private Entombment will take place directly after. The family wishes to extend sincere thanks for all the love and support during this difficult time.
elevated ICmMM
elevated ICmMM
elevated ICmMM
My most sincere condolences to you Anna and your family. Sending you all my warmest thoughts and many blessings.
Kindest regards
My most sincere condolences.
Patty, I am so very sorry for your loss. I always remember your dad riding his bike up and down the street in the summer – always with a smile on his face. Sending you strength to get through this very difficult time.
Anna, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My deepest sympathies for your loss. I had the pleasure of knowing Frank for over 30 years and have many fond memories of him. God bless.
Anna, Matt, Andrew:
So sorry to hear about your dad/nonno, on behalf of myself, AJ & Brianna any Justin & Justine, we are sending our love & condolences to you all.
May he RIP 🙏🏻😇
Our sincere condolences from your friends Sebastiano, Margherita Scilipoti and family
Rest in peace dear friend
Our deepest condolences 🙏. Love Sal, Lidia and Family
We will miss seeing Frank across the fence, working in his garden or shed. We recall his kindness when he saw us “ newbies” struggling to build the steps to our deck. He came across, took measurements and returned with the finished product the next day! We were also the grateful recipients of his garden bounty. Rest In Peace Frank
Tess and Chris
Anna and family,
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your father and our Zio Franco, he will be missed.
I’m sure he’s sitting at a table with a deck of cards playing Briscola and Tressette with my Nonno Saverio, my dad and Zio Peppe. The foursome is together again!
Know that your in my heart and prayers during this sad time.
Rest in Peace zio!
Tina and family
AnnaMaria & Patrizia
Our deepest condolences
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
We have great memories & love for your parents.
May they RIP
Compare Salvatore & comare Carmela Capilongo
Anna and Patricia, our deepest condolences on the loss of your dear father. He was a very kind man and dear friend to my dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I’m sure our parents will reunite in heaven. Sending you both hugs
My sincere condolences. Those are such wonderful photos.
From Renata and me our dearest love forever. My Padrino was always an example for me of a kind and good gentleman. His and my Madrina’s love for me, my family, and each other were a rock-steady source of comfort and security that made me feel blessed and special to be their Godson. I especially enjoyed his willingness to laugh and his pleasure to bring laughter to others. We will remember and miss him always, and we are saddened to lose him at such an awful time, and we look forward to the chance to commemorate him all together again.
Dear Saija Family,
My deepest sympathy.
Fifty plus years ago life brought us together: a young man came to our door and my parents took him in. He became a brother to all of us. A couple of years after he married Pina and she became a sister to me, to Yeya, aunt to our children and a daughter to my parent.
The birth of our children, and their baptisms, strengthened our relationship. Always together celebrating seasonal festivities, sharing enjoyable times and dinners, arguing at times yet leaning into each other in sorrowful times. We walked together through life paths : together we faced all adversities, overcame challenges, until we choose otherwise, or succumbed to a cruel one. Death claimed my parents, their parents, compare Sebastiano and Peppe, Pina and now Franco. He is alone beginning his last endeavour to be with the love of his life; Pina.
However, death cannot claim the many beautiful memories we built through the years. These memories are our legacy bestowed to our children: they are the keeper of this treasure.
May God rest his soul!
Madrina
Anna and Patty, our deepest condolences. Compare Franco was such a kind and gentle man who always greeted us with a warm smile and a heartfelt handshake. The pictures on this site show some wonderful memories but are certainly just a tiny glimpse into the MASSIVE amount of joy he brought to your beloved mother, to you and to the boys. Sending our love.