Francesco Guarascio

It is with much sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved father, dad, pa, and nonno. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years Rosa, survived by his sons Tony (Loretta) and Peter (Angie), and daughter Teresa (Richard), and six grandchildren, Alexandra (Daniele) & his namesake Franco (Chelsea), Marisa (Jake) & Matteo, Alessa & Loredana, and 4 great grandchildren Antonia & Nico, Gino & Mia.

Born in 1929 and raised in San Giovanni in Fiore, Italy, Frank moved to England with his best friend also named Francesco, to find work in 1953, and finally settled in Vancouver in 1965.

Coming from humble roots as one of 6 children growing up in a two room house in post-War Calabria, Frank learned at an early age to accept the hardships he could not change, but to approach life with a steady determination to make a better way for himself and his family – ‘bit by bit’.

He worked tirelessly 5 days a week in the Coal Mines in England, then on weekends selling Italian produce from the back of his car to cater to the Italian community in Coventry, England. He did this to earn enough to buy a house, and then enough to afford the move to Canada.

Frank’s devotion to his family was “top”, as demonstrated by the fact that while his own brothers and sisters had relocated to Tuscany, Rosa’s sisters had already settled in Vancouver, so there was no question where they’d make their home.

He loved his life in BC, sharing his leisure moments with his beloved circle of paesani, spending summer holiday’s in Harrison & Penticton, hunting on Salt Spring Island, fishing at Alice Lake and playing cards and bocce at the “club”. His desire to keep fit was endless, we will miss our walks at Confederation Park track. When he wasn’t walking around the track or playing cards at the club, you could find him ‘in giro’ riding his 10-speed bike with his helmet on the handle bars, wearing his ‘giabutti’.

He will be remembered for his strong character and his defining qualities of fairness – he never let a debt go unpaid, but also generously helped his children learn the practical value of saving, and not wasting money on things you don’t need.

Rosa’s sauce would never have been as good without his amazing tomatoes, cucumbers and beans grown under his homemade greenhouse and fed his high potency secret formula of manure fertilizer.

One of his greatest joys in life was to travel with his family to Mexico. He would turn himself into a deep bronze color and teach everyone how to do the “Zumba”.

He will be remembered for his vibrancy for life, his kindness and generosity, and his always positive outlook. We love you like no other love exists.

We thank the staff, nurses and caregivers at Rideau Retirement Home and Cascade Gardens for the care and gentle attention they gave our Father over the last few months. The funeral and burial will be held privately Ocean View Funeral Home.