Gregorio “Gregory” Grande
elevated hCxST January 16, 1934 ~ July 21, 2026
elevated hCxST Visitation
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
elevated hCxST Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated hCxST Funeral Mass – Chapel of St. Joseph (within the Funeral Home)
Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
elevated hCxST Inurnment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 2C7
elevated hCxST Obituary
elevated hCxST Gregorio Grande, affectionately known as Greg, Gregory, and “Ruzzo,” passed away on July 21, 2026, at the age of 92.
elevated hCxST A proud immigrant from Calabria, Italy, Gregory came to Canada as a young man in 1955 with the hope of building a better future. With the devoted support of his family, he pursued his education, earning university degrees and later completing a Doctorate in Social Work. While he was proud of his academic achievements, his greatest passion was helping Italian immigrants make Canada their home.
elevated hCxST Gregory began his career with the Children’s Aid Society, where his commitment to supporting children and families first took root. He later dedicated many years of service as a senior social worker with the Toronto Board of Education, where he was deeply committed to the well-being, development, and success of children.
elevated hCxST As a co-founder of COSTI-IIAS Italian Immigrant Services (now known as COSTI Immigrant Services) and an executive of the Italian Canadian Congress, Gregory helped establish programs and services that continue to support newcomers from around the world as they build new lives in Canada. His life’s work reflected his belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to belong and to succeed.
elevated hCxST Gregory shared 62 loving years of marriage with his beloved wife, Madeleine. He is survived by his cherished daughters, Maxine and Sarah-Anne (and her husband, Joe); his treasured grandchildren, Brandon, Andrew, Nathan, and Sophia; his dear siblings, Lina, Vince,Tony (survived by his loving wife Helen), and Joe; and his much loved extended family, each of whom held a special place in his heart.
elevated hCxST His family, friends, and colleagues will remember him for his generosity, his warm hospitality, and his unwavering commitment to helping others. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and in the enduring organizations he helped build.
elevated hCxST Our heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, personal support workers, and support staff in the Cardiac Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and on 9E at Scarborough Centenary Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion throughout Gregory’s six-month stay. We will always be deeply grateful.
elevated hCxST In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Gregory’s memory may be made to:
elevated hCxST Scarborough Health Network Foundation – Centenary Hospital
elevated hCxST COSTI Immigrant Services
elevated hCxST
To the Grande family, our deepest and most heartfelt condolences.
To my dear friend Maxine and the Grande family,
What a beautiful tribute to a great human being. Your father was an exceptional, kind and generous person who inspired me to always value family, education and living a life of integrity to the fullest. I will forever be grateful for being “adopted” into your family at a young age and having the opportunity to be touched by your loving and steadfast parents who always created a sense of wonder, peace and joy in their home and cottage and during our cross-country road trips. May you rest in peace, Gregory. Thank you for your unwavering kindness and acceptance into your family life.
Madeleine, Maxine and Sarah-Anne
May the cherished memories of Gregory bring you comfort in this time of sorrow. My deepest sympathies
Good by, old warrior. We fought many battles on behalf of italian Canadians and others in need of support and help. from the days with the Toronto Board of Education, to the Italian Immigrant Aid Society and the merger with COSTI to become Canada”s leading organization assisting immigrants and refugies, to the Presidency of the Toronto and Ontario chapters of the National Congress of Italian Canadians. deep condolences to your dear ones.
Dear Maxine, we are all deeply saddended by your dad’s death. He was a wonderful person and we won’t forget him. I will send your message to all cousins and to Erminia. A hug to your mom and to all of you.
Dear Madeleine, Maxime and Sara-Anne,
we are most Sorry for immensirable loss your da and out deatest and very affectionate cousin Gregorio.
Have you out deepest and MOST heartfelt condolences.
Our thoughts are with you. A big hug.
Dear cousins Madeleine, Maxine, Sarah-Anne & family.
You have our heart felt sympathy upon the death of Greg. He was a fine man who dedicated his life to the less fortunate.
Cherish the memories.
Deepest sympathy.
Bart & Linda
Gregorio (Gregory) Grande was a caring and loving husband, father, and grandfather who gave of himself to his family, relatives, friends and the community.
Gregory was a pillar of our community and a devoted supporter of the National Congress of Italian Canadians (NCIC) on the District, Regional and National levels who fervently believed in the NCIC and its role and purpose in the betterment of the Italian Canadian Community and concomitantly Canada and Italy. He cherished his roots, Italian heritage and traditions and was a proud Canadian.
Although Gregory will be missed by all, he will be forever in our hearts.
Our sincere condolences, prayers and thoughts go out to the Grande Family.
God Bless All,
Dominic and Donna Campione & Family