Obituary of Alfonso Di Francesco

Di FRANCESCO, Alfonso "Alfy" Peacefully on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at age 87, Alfonso entered the loving embrace of Christ our Saviour and reunited with his parents Paolo and Louisa, sister Gilda, brother Luigi. A long time Parishioner of St. Alfred's Parish and most recently at St. Julia's, his example of Faith was a great inspiration to all our family. Alfonso will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered as a beloved husband of 63 years to Corradina, loving Pappa to Guglielmo (Lynne) and Paul (Giselle), devoted Nonno of Paul ( Dawn), Jodi (John), Danielle (Andrew), Nicole (Joseph) and Elyse (Reuben), and adoring Great Nonno to Josh, Alex, Dominic, Joseph, Johnny, Jamie, Jack, Calvin Alfonso, Thomas, Isabella Corradina, William, Lucas and Maya. Alfonso was born in Province of Pescara, Italy on June 6, 1926, in the town of Farindola. In 1954 Alfonso bravely left behind the love of his life Corradina and two boys (Guglielmo 2 years and Paul 9 months) to look for a new life for them in St. Catharines and they were reunited in 1957. Alfonso had done some barbering in Italy and in 1955 began doing this professionally and was known as "Alfy". Alfonso was one of the first and very proud members of the Club Roma and volunteered to lay the block work for the original building. He enjoyed competing in Lawn Bowling and was a member of both the Southampton and Glenridge Lawn Bowling Clubs. Alfonso had a beautiful saying "La respect e la piu bella cosa" (having respect is the most beautiful thing). His gentle nature and welcoming presence always endeared him to all his family, friends and customers, many of whom he shared lasting friendships. Our family wants to express their gratefulness to the staff of the new NHS- St. Catharines Site and both the Emergency and Ward 2A areas for their special care of our father with special thanks to Nurse Liz Packard and Dr. K. Ali. Alfonso's family will receive family and friends at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton St. on Tuesday January 7th from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Vigil prayers will be recited in the funeral home, Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. A Funeral Mass and celebration of his Life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday January 8, 2014 at St. Julia Church 251 Glenridge Ave. Entombment to follow Mass, at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens, Fonthill. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the St. Catharines General Hospital.