BOMBICINO, Giuseppe 'Joe'
Joe Bombicino passed away peacefully on January 18, 2021 at the age of 95.
95 years. Where do you even start?
In 1950, he came to Canada alone and almost penniless. He went into the unknown, toiled away in a steel mill at first, faced discrimination, all with one goal in mind: that his family could live a better life than him. He, along with his beloved wife of 68 years, Giustina (d. 2019), succeeded in spades.
She was fetching water at a fountain in a nearby town in Italy when he first saw her. He visited everyday -- eventually learning her water fetching schedule. He'd be there waiting when she arrived to exchange a few awkward words. Then a few more the next day. Then a few more after that until they were having what some would consider a full blown conversation. After a while everyone in this small village knew what was up with this strapping fella from the town over who visited everyday. And after a little bit more than a while this woman became his wife and soon they were parents to Sam, Clara and Joanne, then grandparents to Adam, Eric, Lauren, Myles, Cassandra, Amanda, and Bianca and great grandparents to Avonlea, Addalyn, and Ella.
They all live better lives with more than enough because of him and Giustina. Because he valued family above all else. Because he put them before himself, always, every day of his life. He owned his own grocery store and later a glass business. He was a successful businessman. But more than the material effect, he also leaves us with the legacy of his ... love; the impossible to describe bond he and his wife of 68 years had. It is a gift to all of us -- one his children soaked up and then passed onto their children and so on. The joy and smiles on the faces of his great grandchildren, the love that they are being filled with, that's his legacy. Like DNA, it is encoded in our family tree -- a gift that will be with us for generations to come.
He was hilarious. He was wise. He made meatballs at 5 in the morning. He loved like nobody's business. His faith was unshakeable and unlimited. His kindness had no bottom. He sometimes overcooked his salmon. And died continuing to believe a sandwich was not a meal. Joe was was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and a member of Club Italia.
He will be missed, but he will remain with us forever. He is predeceased by sister Artura (2000), brother Frank (2018), and sister Onorina (2020.) Much loved by sisters Maria, Anna, and Clara; and in-laws Robynn, John, and Elio. Respected and loved by Leah, Nick, Eric, Vanessa and Kristian.
Our deep gratitude and love to Rocelyn Ferrar.
Respecting the restrictions of COVID-19, arrangements have been entrusted to the PATTERSON FUNERAL HOME, 6062 Main St. Niagara Falls. A private Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of the Scapular Church, with the Rite of Committal following at Fairview Cemetery. For those who wish, a recorded video of the Funeral Mass is available www.facebook.com/ Pattersonfuneral