Antonio Tignanelli
“Losing him feels like losing a chapter of our history book, but oh, what a glorious tale he told.”
It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father Antonio Corrado Tignanelli at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice on March 7, 2025 at the age of 90. Our proud father was surrounded by all his children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by the absolute love of his life, his wife Cesira. He was predeceased by his parents Michele and Lauretta Tignanelli. Loving father to Loretta (Michael) Campigotto, Michael (Patricia) Tignanelli, Mary (Paul) Sweeney. Loving Nonno to Anthony (Gina), Brianna (Nathan), Talia (Tyler), Lucas (Liz), Darius (Selena), Matthew (Nicole) and Christopher. Great Nonno to Mila and Layla. Dear brother of the late Rosetta (late Antonio), Salvatore (Rosetta), Egidiio (Teresa), Mario (Maria), late Sergio (late Inesia), Giovanni (Maria), Vittoria (Nino), Giuseppe (Lucia) and Adalgisa (late Antonio).
He was born in Pietrafitta, Calabria, Italy on November 28, 1934. He was the oldest of 10 children during times of very great challenges . His legacy will always be one of providing for others. “I never had a childhood” he would say without regret. He was responsible for helping raise his brothers and sisters during his teens. The difficult financial challenges facing the family led our father to seek a better life in Canada in 1959.
Here he was married and started a family. The theme of being a provider continued in Canada. Many would attest to the numerous times he would help friends and family with countless tasks, repairs, plumbing work, car maintenance etc - regardless of the time of day. However, he provided most for his family. Love, caring, bountiful food, protection, workmanship, MacGyvership (inside joke) and so much more. He was a physically and emotionally (on the outside) powerful man. A work ethic that was matched by no one. “I never said or heard the word tired in my life” he would often say. He was hardened by the demanding jobs of working road construction (as labourer and later as foreman), building his home and helping others with their projects. The provider had always put others' needs before his own.
In his early years, our father absolutely loved his getaways with his brother as they would venture on small game hunting and fishing day trips - once again for pleasure but also to provide. He was an incredibly avid gardener. Who needs a 40’ x 20’ garden at age 89 - evidently our father did? He was a fabulous cook who until 4 months ago would make his 6 homemade loaves of bread every few weeks. Homemade pasta, gnocchi, pizza, cutlets, morning dunk cookies were some of his specialties. Due to demanding circumstances growing up in Italy, our father had a Grade 4 education - but we know of no formal educational setting that would be able to instill the diverse level of talents, skills, knowledge, motivation and work ethic our father possessed. He was our role model not necessarily by what he said but certainly by what he did.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Brian Shaw and in particular Dr. Kathryn Shaw who provided the most loving, compassionate and professional care to our father. He absolutely loved her and would annually express his appreciation via a basket of vegetables from his garden - of course! A kind thank you goes to Dr. Shaw’s office staff - Teresa who calmly and patiently endured countless phone calls, lengthy explanations and endless inquiries. Our heartfelt thanks goes to the staff at PHARA whose dedicated support gave our father the gift of living independently. Thank you also to the hard working staff of D3 at NBRHC for their dedication and commitment caring for our father in their demanding careers. And finally we are profoundly grateful to the staff at Nipissing Serenity Hospice whose compassion, guidance and kindness not only brought our father peace in his final days but also embraced our family with such warmth and support. A wonderful staff and incredible facility!
Antonio’s life will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 beginning with visitation from 9:00 am to 10:45 am at Hillside Funeral Services, 362 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario. Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church at 11:00 am. Internment will immediately follow mass at 12:00 noon at All Saints Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Nipissing Serenity Hospice. Online condolences can be made at www.hillsidefuneral.ca
Papa, this is not goodbye but a loving promise that you will forever live on in our hearts, our hands, our thoughts and in the enduring love that binds our family together.
Hillside Funeral Services Ltd.
