Francesco Giacomini

He was born in the ancient town of Serra D’Aiello, Cosenza, Italy which is terraced on a hill overlooking the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and in close proximity to the Isca Rocks cited in Homer’s Odyssey. And in 1956, Francesco began his own odyssey with his devoted wife Nella by his side when they departed for what they saw as their promised land, “Il Canada”. He worked as an electronics repairman and then was employed at Ontario Hydro and within a few years he sponsored his extended family’s immigration to Canada. Merchants by trade, he along with his brothers opened up a supermarket and a few years later the Paradise Cinema on Bloor Street West. Francesco became the lead at the cinema, fully immersing himself in Italian film culture. He frequently traveled to Rome to purchase movies, rubbing elbows with many of Italy’s leading movie directors, producers and distributors of the 1960s and 1970s: Sergio Leone, Alberto Grimaldi, Angelo Rizzoli and Dino De Laurentis to name but a few. After the cinema closed its doors, Francesco worked as a projectionist first with Cineplex and then with Famous Players. He spent much of his retirement years working the fields of his 50 acre farm away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Francesco always instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of being masters of their own will rather than living their lives for and at the direction of others.

Francesco was the beloved husband of Nella Giacomini(nee De Rosa). The cherished father of Egidio(Glynda), Walter(Lucy), Sergio(Angela) and Maria(Mark). The proud nonno of Christopher(Liz), Sean(Ashley), Roberto, Miranda, Olivia, Dante and Matthew. The proud bisnonno of Anthony and Gabriela. The dear brother of Palma, Maria(Aldo), Gustavo, Ottavio, the late Remo, the late Giuseppe(Ida) and the late Settimio(Fiorina). The beloved son of the late Rosa and the late Egidio.

A first day evening visitation for Francesco will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 6 to 8:30 PM at Jerrett Funeral Homes, 1141 St Clair Ave West, Toronto, ON M6E1B1.

A second day afternoon visitation will occur Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 2 to 4:00 PM and an evening visitation will occur Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 6 to 8:30 PM.

A funeral mass will occur Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Clare's Roman Catholic Church, 1118 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 3M6.

An entombment will follow the service at Prospect Cemetery, 1450 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 1C6.

Donations in Francesco's memory may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation.