Obituary of Dina Fratesi

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our family matriarch, Dina, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) with family by her side. She is now lovingly reunited with her husband Ezio (Earl), her son Michael, her father Sante, her mother Alba, brother Deno (Mary) and sister Lydia. Left to mourn her loss, but to celebrate her extraordinary life of giving, are her surviving children, Sam (Marilyn), Joe (Judy), Steve (Linda Pekalski) (late Anna), and Mary-Ann (Aldo). Gramma will be missed by Andrea (Dan), Krista (Ben), Lisa (Carmine), Lauren (Rob), Jennifer (Daniel), Paula (Neil), Julia (Scott), James (Rachel), Stephanie (Chris), Kevin (Sarah), and Ryan (Johanna). “Grammy-Poo” (and her tie plates) will be forever remembered and cherished by her great grandchildren, Evan, Aidan, Logan, Cameron, Carley, Cooper, Reese, Tyler, Juliana, Angelo, Fiona, Gloria, Delilah, Layla, Lennox, Leonardo, Harrison, Blake, Hanna, Theo, and Brooks.

Dina’s entire life was about family and giving to others. She will be fondly remembered by many whose lives she warmly touched over the years as the soloist/choir director at St. Veronica’s Catholic Church, the manager of The Red Grill in the Woolco Department Store and in the gift shops of the General Hospital and Sault Area Hospital. Mom was always about “Mangia, Mangia” and delighted in preparing and giving away her homemade gnocchi, perogies, cabbage rolls, cutlets, Easter bread and of course, her signature tie-plates. Her life was not an easy one, having lost her father as a child and helping her mother to raise her brother and sister. Dina was widowed at a very young age and became the main caregiver for her mother, her sister, her mother-in-law, her father-in-law, and her dear son, Michael. In spite of all of this and because of her deep religious conviction and faith in God, she accepted her many tasks with purpose and much love. She never complained and never had a bad word to say of anyone, often reminding  us that “we are all God’s children”. Mom was amazing and was certainly one of a kind! The family would like to acknowledge the special lifelong friendships of Roma Barber and Norma Capancioni, and niece, Barbara D’Orazio. We would also like to thank Dr. Sharon Buehner, the good people at ParaMed Home Health Care and the wonderful caring staff of ARCH for all their support and guidance in making our mother’s final days the best that they could be.

A private family funeral and interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery has already taken place. Memorial donations to ARCH would be greatly appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758).