Nicola (Nick) Faienza

Loving husband of Maria (nee DiRenzo) for almost 65 years and cherished father of Connie, Angela, Ben (Kim), and Luciana Quarin (Joe). He was the proud and adoring Nonno of Mathew, Daniela, Justin, Adam, Julia, and Luca. Of all of life’s treasures, none was more precious than his family. He will be forever missed.

Son of the late Urbano and Bambina Faienza, Nicola was born on January 10, 1937, in Abruzzo, Italy in the town of Villa Santa Maria (paese dei cuochi). In 1955, he arrived with his family and began his life in Canada, a country he loved deeply. In 1959, he married the love of his life, Maria, and together they built a beautiful life in Guelph.

He will be deeply missed by sisters Maria DiCicco and Lucia Ventresca (Frank), and brother Vittorio (Orlanda) and sisters-in-law Livia DiRenzo and Lucia Celsi and brother-in-law Santino DiBiase. Predeceased by his sister Antonietta, and brothers-in-law Pasquale, Filippo, Costantino, Enrico, Camillo, Giuseppe, Tonino and sisters-in-law Laura, Nicoletta, and Domenica, nephew Nick Pugliese and niece Anna Bartolomucci.

Zio Nick was much loved by his many nieces and nephews here, in Italy and Argentina.

Throughout his life, he found great passion in the outdoors and nature. Whether it was his delight, as a child, for the birds of the Italian mountains, or planting and tending to bountiful gardens, or his sheer joy fishing by a stream. From a young age, Nicola approached every job with a strong work ethic and dedication. He lived by example, enjoying every day, making time for his many hobbies which included gardening, fishing, bocce, making salami, wine-making, and playing golf.

He will be deeply missed by his Renfield neighbours (known as the Ambassador of Renfield), new neighbours at the Ellridge community and so many dear friends. Nick welcomed everyone, always ready to lend a helping hand, happiest when the table was full of family and friends, and ready to enjoy an espresso, a glass of homemade wine or a shot of his much coveted Super Punch.

He was blessed and enjoyed good health well into his 80’s, and only declined recently. Even in his last days, when asked how he was doing, he would reply “Not too bad for an old guy.” Always a smile, he loved deeply. His memory lives on in our hearts and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The family wishes to thank Nicola’s long time physician Dr. Robert Lostracco for his care over the years.

Resting at the Gilbert MacInyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph where family will receive their relatives and friends on Monday, September 23 2:00-4:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Church, 175 Emma Street, Guelph on Tuesday, September 24 at 10:30 am. Entombment at Our Lady Immaculate Mausoleum, Marymount Cemetery.

Donations in Nicola’s memory can be made to The Alzheimer’s Society of Waterloo Wellington, The Canadian Cancer Society, and Holy Rosary Parish Guelph (Renovation Fund).