Luigi Petrella

Luigi was born on June 19, 1937 in Pratola Peligna, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. He was the loving son of the late Domenico and Lucia Petrella, and son-in-law of the late Carmelo and Antonina Cottone.

He immigrated to Canada in 1962.

Louie worked at Ferguson Foundry prior to joining National Steel Car in Hamilton, Ontario. He spent time in the Alpini Corps of the Italian Armed Forces. He enjoyed horse races and soccer. He was a member of the Italo Canadian Sports Club and St. Anthony’s Church.

Predeceased by his brothers Vittorio, Emilio and Rinaldo, and sisters Irene and Amelita.

Luigi will be missed by brother-in-law Joe Burgio and the late Lea Burgio; by brother-in-law Frank and his wife Angela Cottone of Stoney Creek, Ontario; by brother-in-law Joe and his wife Maryann Cottone of Stoney Creek, Ontario; and by nieces and nephews in Ontario.

Luigi will also be missed by family and friends in Canada, Italy, Washington State, California, Ohio, and Hawaii.

He enjoyed life and travel, as well as staying active with sports. He shared joy with his happy smiles. He will be deeply missed by Teresa, his wife of 38 years.

-

A Eulogy given by Luigi's nephew, Sam Burgio...

'My name is Sam Burgio and I am Luigi’s nephew, so while he was Luigi to friends, to me, He was uncle Luigi.

I’d like to share an Italian love story with you. You see Teresa, Luigi’s wife, was my mother's sister. When she immigrated to Canada, she lived with our family, and she remain single until the mature age of 42. We never thought aunt Teresa would get married. But then one day, my father introduced Luigi, who was 47 years old at the time, and it was instant love at first sight. They met in December and they were married in May 5 months later.

It was a beautiful marriage that would last 38 years. It was a marriage that was filled with travel all across the world to great travel resorts in Spain, Italy, Germany, Paris, Hawaii, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Alaska, and even across the other side of the world in Australia.

Uncle Luigi had a ZEST for life!!!

We could see that from all of the world travels, and when he wasn’t traveling, he enjoyed to be on his bicycle, shirtless with his 18 karat gold necklace with a beautiful cross of Jesus Christ proudly kept around his neck.

Anyone who was with Luigi even for one minute, would tell you about his infectious smile and his ability to make you laugh.

One day, a young couple walked into the elevator of the condo building they were living in. Both husband and wife had iPhones in their hands and both of their heads were bent down looking at their phones.They did not even acknowledge that Luigi, or any other person for that matter was in the elevator. Luigi said to them: “did you lose something?" Luigi said to them: “you both have your heads down as if you lost something and you are looking for something you lost.” The couple looked up and couldn’t help themselves but to laugh when they realized they were so concentrated on their phones. Since that day that couple would always greet Luigi wherever they saw him whether it was in the elevator, parking garage, or condo lobby. So he admired and respected the youth but he wanted them not to be so serious and smile to somebody whenever the opportunity arose.

A beautiful smile is often said to be genuine and warm, and that is who uncle Luigi was- a genuine, warm and kind man.Perhaps more than anything else he was a great husband to Teresa. He was always positive and never considered the negative. He believed that …

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is called the present, which is why it is a gift.

He never commanded his wife, but supported her and embraced her with love. Just like their wedding vows 38 years ago, he was there for his wife, and she was there for him through good times, and in bad, through sickness and in health.

Luigi was Teresa‘s best friend and soulmate. She is devastated that he is no longer with us. Teresa will forever be grateful to Luigi for the joy and love he brought to her life. No one will ever replace him, and she will always draw her strength from those treasured memories together deep in her heart.

The only regret in Teresa’s life is that she didn’t meet Luigi earlier in her life.

Today, we’ve lost a great man on earth, but heaven has become a better place with Luigi inside

of it.

May God Bless Luigi Petrella and may he rest in peace."'