It is with grieving hearts that the family of Teresa Grassia of Thunder Bay shares she has passed into the presence and loving arms of the Lord on Sunday, February 16th, 2025, with her family by her side. She is now at peace; her difficult journey with Progressive Dementia has ended.
Teresa, affectionately known as Tita, was born in Siderno Marina, Italy on October 21st, 1933 to Palma Petrolo and Rocco Racco. She immigrated to Canada in 1956 to join her family and married Egidio Grassia shortly after her arrival. They celebrated their 67th anniversary on April 27th, 2024. Teresa was a long-time member of St. Dominic’s Parish and would attend Mass when she could.
At the tender age of 12, Teresa’s mother Palma passed, and Teresa took on the responsibility of attending to the care of her younger siblings until their father remarried. Her early life in Italy was very difficult. In 1958, she and Egidio welcomed their first child, Frank, then Anna, and a few years later, Linda. Teresa embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, loving her children and grandchildren deeply. She was always ready with a smile or a heartfelt laugh; her sense of humour remained intact through to the end. Her hands were mostly busy cleaning, sewing or cooking delicious traditional Calabrese meals, Sunday spaghetti and meatballs, baking bread and preparing pastries. “Mangia, mangia! You too skinny!” Her kitchen was a very welcome place for family and friends. Egidio and Teresa made many family trips to Springfield, Massachusetts to visit her brother Joe and their extended family as well as to Los Angeles and several trips to Mexico. She proudly got her driver’s license in her 50’s and worked at Palma’s Pastries and the Persian Man for a spell. She enjoyed playing the slots every now and again. Teresa had a heart of gold and an eye for anything sparkly, just like her personality. Her love of singing never wavered, how she remembered the words, we will never know.
Teresa is lovingly survived by her husband Egidio, son Frank Grassia (Gayle Stewart), daughter Anna Grassia, daughter Linda Grassia (Ted Krzystofczyk); grandchildren Adrian Grassia (Ashley Villella), Andrea Grassia (Mike Bruno), Justin Gelmich, Jenna Gelmich; brothers Cosimo Racco, Costantino (aka Bill) (Marlene) Racco, Frank (Maria) Racco, Tony (Ruth) Racco, Mario (Lorrie) Racco; numerous nieces, nephews; great nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada, USA and Italy.
Teresa was predeceased by her parents Palma Petrolo and Rocco Racco; stepmothers Nina Petrolo and
Tilde Racco; brothers Domiano Racco in infancy, Giuseppe (aka Joe) (Rose) Racco; sister-in-law Marlene Racco.
The family would like to thank Dr. S. Wark who provided exceptional care for Teresa for a number of years. A sincere thank you to all the PSWs who provided Teresa with ongoing in-home care, and to the pharmacy team at Walmart (Arthur Street) for their support and expertise. Thank you to Dr. Migay and the nursing staff at St. Joseph’s Hospice for their care and compassion in keeping Teresa comfortable. Thank you also to family and friends for their company and support during this difficult time. A special thank you to Maria Racco for her continued, comforting presence. We are truly grateful.
The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Dominic’s Parish, 130 Redwood Avenue West, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 1Z4 on Monday, March 3rd, 2025 at 11:00 am officiated by Rev. Mike Mahoney. Visitation will be held at St. Dominic’s Parish one hour prior to the Funeral Mass. Private Entombment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Teresa’s memory are welcome and greatly appreciated to TBRHSC Cardiovascular Surgery Fund, 980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6V4, or to the charity of your choice.
God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Blake Funeral Chapel, 200 South May St. Thunder Bay, ON P7E 1B4.
On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com
