Obituary of Giuseppe Maria

MARIA, Giuseppe (Joe Aurora) Born May 2, 1922 Marsala, Sicily. Entered into Eternal Life June 25, 2009, Windsor, Ontario Reunited in Paradise with his beloved wife, Maria (September 9, 2007). With heavy hearts, the family of Giuseppe Maria announces the passing of our beloved Papa, Nonno, Gramps, and Old Nonno after being in failing health for several months. His suffering has ended. We take comfort knowing that when Giuseppe"s life on earth ended the Angels welcomed his beautiful soul to Paradise. Giuseppe was the youngest and only surviving child of thirteen children born to Antonio and Fara Maria. Mr. Maria will be sorely missed by his devoted children: his loving daughter Sara and her husband, Jack Agosta, his faithful son, Anthony, (Tony) and his wife Dale Maria. He was the greatest Nonno and "Gramps" in the world and will be forever cherished in the hearts of his grandchildren: Maria Vasapolli (Monaco), Dina (Monaco) and her husband Tom Masiarek, Sebastiano Agosta, Anthony Maria and Rachelle Norris, Julienne Maria and Andrew Rousseau, Joseph Maria and Shelby Fazekas and his Bella Mia, Victoria Maria. He will be remembered with love as Old Nonno by his great-grandchildren that brought him endless happiness in his final years: Alexander Meloche, Salvo Vasapolli, Luca Vasapolli, Massimo Masiarek, Christian Masiarek, Lennah Maria and Juliet Rousseau. He is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews in Sicily and Caracas, Venezuela. After serving his country during WWII with the 21st Regiment in the Italian Army, Mr. Maria returned to Marsala to be united with Maria D"Amico, whom he wed in November 1948. Six years later they chose to make Canada their home and arrived in Windsor, Ontario with their 2 children, 2 suitcases and fifty dollars. With hard work, talent and perseverance, Maria and Joe established and successfully operated Aurora Pastry, at Erie and Elsmere in Windsor"s Via Italia, until their retirement in 1988. They were known throughout Windsor and Essex County for their beautiful creations of wedding cakes, tortes and pastries. Joe and Maria enjoyed 19 years of retirement together, always with family and friends close at hand. Their 58 years of married life"s ups and downs is an example for us and in particular his unwavering devotion during her declining health when he rarely left her side. Mr. Maria attended 11:30 Sunday Mass at St. Angela Merici Church and looked forward to parish activities. He was a member of the Giovanni Caboto Club, the Sicilia Club and Bocciofila. He spent many of his waking hours in his yard, where he raised beautiful and unusual flowers, figs and other fruits and vegetables, many of which were from his native Sicily. He was awarded several beautification awards from the City of Windsor. Mr. Maria is resting at WINDSOR CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 1700 Tecumseh Rd. on Sunday, June 28, 2009 from 7 - 9 p.m. and Monday from 2 - 5 and 7 - 9 p.m. Prayers Monday at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Services Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. from the Funeral Home then to St. Angela Merici Church for Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. Entombment to follow at Heavenly Rest Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Scalabrinian Foundation in honour of his life are appreciated by his family. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.windsorchapel.com