Gerardo "Gerry" Di Fonzo

It is with both sorrow and bittersweet gratitude that we share with you the passing of our husband, dad, Nonno, and Great-Nonno, Gerardo (Gerry) Di Fonzo, who died peacefully surrounded by family on January 7th, 2024, at the age of 92.

Born in 1931, in Campodimele, Latina Italy, Gerry was the youngest of 3 siblings. At age 17, he immigrated to Canada with his oldest sister, arriving in Walhachin BC in 1949. Upon his arrival he quickly secured employment with the CPR, where he worked until his early retirement in 1986. He married Sistina Zannella on October 18th, 1958, and they made their first home in Cherry Creek, residing in a CPR provided house. In 1965, after the birth of their second child, they moved to Kamloops and purchased their first home on Evans Street, and then in 1977, they moved to their current home that he helped build. He was married to his sweetheart, Sistina, for 65 years, who lovingly cared for him during his declining health. In the last few years, he always said the only reason he “was still alive was because of the great care she gave him”.

Family was very important to Gerry, and his goal in life was to ensure his children would have a better life than he had experienced.

Gerry was immensely proud of his children and always made a point of visiting his son in Vancouver and his daughter and her family in Calgary. He had great pride in his grandchildren, often traveling to Calgary to help celebrate major milestones, including their weddings and the birth of his great grandchildren. The arrival of his 3 great granddaughters was especially memorable for Gerry, as he never expected to live long enough to see their birth, and his legacy will live on through them. Another important family member for Gerry was his brother-in-law Tito, who he helped raise and who he thought of more like a son.

Being social and in the company of friends and family was important to Gerry. He could often be seen walking down the street stopping in to chat with his neighbours, most of whom he knew for over 40 years. He enjoyed hosting an annual Father’s Day barbeque until his health no longer permitted it. In his early retirement he volunteered driving the miniature train at the Kamloops wildlife park and delighted in taking his grandchildren for trips around the park. He was also a volunteer at the Columbo Lodge, and spent time fishing, hunting, gardening, and wine-making.

He loved to travel; anytime when asked “do you want to go to …” he quickly responded “sure, when”. Over the years he enjoyed traveling the world, including China to see the Great Wall, to San Francisco to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary, to Japan to watch his nephew get married, taking his grandchildren to Italy to see where he was born, and driving his truck/camper to Alaska and back with Sistina in tow These were just a few of his more memorable trips.

Gerry is survived by his loving wife Sistina, his children Lucy (Pat) Pascal, his son Lori, his grandchildren Lisa (Mike) Pascal-Anderson, and Mark (Tatum) Pascal, and his great granddaughters, Kora & Kenna Pascal, and Aria Anderson.

He is also survived by brother-in law Tito (Lil) Zannella, sister-in-law’s Vincenza (Joe) Guzzo, and Rafelina Zannella, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gerry was predeceased by his parents Salvatore and Alessandra Di Fonzo, his sisters Maria Zannella and Rosa Spirito, brothers-in-laws Vincenzo and Vittorio Zannella, and his niece Belinda Zannella.

Thank you to the amazing staff at Willoughby Hospice who provided exceptional compassionate care to Gerry and his family.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 635 Tranquille Rd. on Monday, January 15th at 10:00am. A private family interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery, followed by a reception at the OLPH Hall.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to

The Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice home,

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/93080?v2=true