It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Angelo Grande. With his family at his side, he passed peacefully on April 10, 2021 at the Grace Hospice at the age of 88 years after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Angelina; and his children, Joe (Alfina), Marilena, Alfonsina, Gregorio, (Liane) and eleven grandchildren: Giuliana (Adrian), Stefania, (Nephi), Elena (David), Sabrina (Grant), Natalia, (Bryden), Angelina, (Maxwel), Nikolai, Paolo, Angelo, Ariana and Ava.
Son of Giuseppe Grande and Maria Gagliardi, Angelo was born in Amato, Italy on January 17, 1933. He married the love of his life on February 23rd, 1958. In pursuit of a better life for his family, he left for Canada, in 1963 leaving his wife and two children promising to reunite with them once he was established. Within a day of arriving in Winnipeg, he was hired at Supercrete as a cement finisher. While working at Supercrete, he worked other side jobs to ensure he made enough of a livelihood to prepare for his family to join him as well as sending monthly funds back to Italy to provide for them while they were there.
In 1966 his wife Angelina and two children, Giuseppe and Marilena, joined him in Winnipeg to start their new life on Canadian soil. The family grew with the addition of two more children, Alfonsina and Gregorio.
Angelo will fondly be remembered as a man of passion with a captivating smile that drew all those around, to him. He had a passion for many things. He loved gardening, wine making, playing Briscola, Italian music, dinner gatherings with family and friends, and a good brandy. He was a man of many talents, skilled in multiple trades, such a plumbing, electrical, carpentry and used these skills to build the cabin on Moonlight Bay, in Gimli.
His enthusiasm and passion for Bocce was so infectious that on February 7, 2009, in recognition of his teaching Winnipeggers the game of Bocce for 15 years and improving the quality of life for citizens and the community of Winnipeg at large, the City of Winnipeg, acknowledged its appreciation to Angelo Grande by naming a street, “Angelo Grande Bocce Way”.
Angelo was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a disease that causes memory loss and interferes with other cognitive abilities serious enough to infer with daily life. His strong determination to live gave him the strength and energy to fight his daily battles with the disease. His doctor said he had the heart of a lion, a heart that never gives up, and with this the strength, bravery, courage, perseverance, persistence that enabled him to fight the disease for the past fifteen years.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Comfort Keepers, Riverview Health Centre, and all other caregivers for their compassion and understanding in the care of Angelo. We would especially like to acknowledge the nursing staff of the Grace Hospice for their gentle kindness, exceptional care and warmth.
Due to Covid restrictions, a private service to celebrate Angelo’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 14th at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home for the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, in Angelo Grande’s name.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5