Obituary of Nicola Cianciusi

In loving memory of Nicola Cianciusi, 92, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 13, 2020. Nonno Nick, as he will be fondly remembered, was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Married for over 63 years, he will now be joining his loving wife Maria Santa, who passed in 2017. He will be greatly missed by his daughters Elena, Francesca, Nadia and husband Giancarlo. By his grandchildren Marco and wife Lamees, Natasha and husband Mark, Lisa and husband Roberto, Arianna and Katia. By his great grandchildren Mia, Sophia, Santino, Adrian and Raffaele. By his brothers and sisters, Giuseppe (predeceased) and family, Lucia and family, Antonietta and family, Mario and family and brothers-in-law Gino (predeceased) and family, Mario and family and by many family members and friends.Nonno Nick always put his family first. A natural born storyteller, he loved recounting the stories of his life to his grandchildren. And what a story to tell. He first came to Canada in 1951 from Collelongo, Italy. He travelled by boat to Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and across the country by train to Swift Current, Saskatchewan. While his immigration papers were for farmhand, he had dreams of moving to Toronto to start his new life. Within days, he left the farm and headed to Toronto with little money, education or the ability to speak English. But that didn’t stop him. With determination on his side, he made it to Toronto where he took on many jobs, from baking bread to laying asphalt. After years of hard work, he proudly opened his own grocery store which he successfully owned and operated for over 35 years.Nonno Nick lived life to the fullest. He built his ‘Villa Bella’ in Shelburne, Ontario - a place where friends and family would gather for good food and fun. Snowmobiling in the winter, swimming and Bocce Ball games in the summer. He was happiest when surrounded by those he loved. He took pride in the life he built for himself and his family and always generously helped others.While he will be greatly missed, he will be remembered for his strong spirit, unwavering loyalty to his family and entrepreneurial spirit.In honour of the love our parents held for St. Patrick Church and in light of the new St. Patrick Church now being built to accommodate an ever-growing community, it is our desire that donations be made to St. Patrick Church. Cheques can be made payable to St. Patrick Church and can be mailed to: 11873 The Gore Road, Brampton, ON L6P 0B2.