Vettoretti, Francesco
The family announces with great sorrow his passing in Sudbury, on Thursday, February 8th, 2018 at the age of 91. Beloved husband of Giovanna Antonietta (Zadra) for 66 years. Loving father of Rigo (Marie-Jeanne Landry), Linda Leebody (Dave) and Danny (Laura Comisso). Cherished grandfather “Nonno” of Eric (Kate Ledgerwood), Melissa Currie (Andrew), David (Brittney Kennedy – fiancée); Kyla Leebody (John) and Gabriel; Michael (Stephanie Reesor), Matthew and Mark. He was also blessed with 7 great-grandchildren – Luke, Lauren, Dylan, Owen, Ben, Trinity, and Rebecca. Francesco is predeceased by his brother Gentile (Rina) and sisters Angelina (Antonio), Maria (Augusto), and Celestina (Floriano).


Francesco was born in Vidor, Treviso, Italy on January 23rd, 1927 to Monica (Zambon) and Ottavio Vettoretti. In 1952 he married the love of his life Antonietta, from nearby Colbertaldo di Vidor. Opting for what they hoped would be a better future, they departed on a British steam liner for Canada. They always chuckled when recalling that regardless of marital status, all women and men were required to sleep in separate quarters. They crossed the Atlantic in very rough seas, arriving 6 days later at Pier 21 in Halifax at the height of winter. Francesco had heard of possible work in the distant Northern Ontario town of Sudbury. They boarded a westbound train. It was a real eye-opener – three days of nothing but snow-covered terrain – frightful and uninviting. However, Canada proved to be anything but. Francesco mentioned many times throughout his life how very fortunate they were to have made Canada their home. In Sudbury, he worked everywhere and did everything he could to provide, starting with some very tough manual jobs. He cut massive ice blocks from Ramsey Lake for “ice boxes” and cleaned snow off of arena roofs. He then tried being a lumberjack for a short stint, logging in the thick boreal forest, until, he jokingly said, mosquitos carried him away. He dug ditches and poured cement for the Pioneer Construction Company. He was so quietly proud of that work. Passing sidewalks or curbs in the city years later, he’d point them out to his children and grandchildren, saying “it’s still there – amazing!” He was always modest and took pride in everything he did and did everything well. At Pioneer, a summer student noticed his amazing work ethic and put him in touch with his father, a hiring manager at INCO. He had finally found steady employment (as a copper sampler and then crane operator in the copper refinery) to make life work in Canada. Not surprisingly, he was an accomplished wine maker, the results of which were enjoyed by family, friends, and colleagues. He loved gardening, mushroom and blueberry picking and had a particular passion for fruit trees. He was able to grow fig, plum, pear, and peach trees that bore plentiful fruit. So much so that he always shared these with neighbours and family. He enjoyed puttering around the house, making nice wooden toys for all, and coming up with time-saving gadgets. The latter translated into prize-winning inventions when he was at INCO. He was always one to give back to the community and with Antonietta, volunteered for over 20 years at Science North. He was an active member of the Horticultural Society and with his wife, won countless ribbons over the decades, with the flowers, fruits and vegetables grown from their award-winning yard. Francesco’s gregarious nature always found him helping others, whether it was with their fruit tree grafting, wine making, or gardening advice. Saturday afternoons, he enjoyed discussing the weather over a beer with friends at the Caruso Club. What he always enjoyed most was a good and lively conversation with his family over a beautifully prepared meal by Nonna. He was always there for us as a wonderful father, role model, mentor and provider. A simple life but well-lived. The family would like to thank the physicians and nurses on 7N at Health Sciences North for their compassion and excellent care. A Funeral Mass will be held in the Our Lady of Hope Church, 591 Brennan Road, Sudbury, on Saturday, April 7th, 2018 at 10:30am. Interment in the family plot at the Park Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home.