Rocco Mondelli

It is with immense sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of Rocco Mondelli on Sunday, February 5th, 2023, at the age of 100. He was the beloved husband of the late Filomena (Di Turi) Mondelli.

Rocco will be deeply missed by his loving children Teresa (Amerigo) and Giovanni (Assunta).  His cherished grandchildren Sonia (Gaetano), Deborah (Michael), Deidre, Stephanie (Roberto) and Michael John, will all miss him and the stories he would delight them with of his life’s journeys dearly.  He was an adored great grandfather ‘’bisnonno’’ to Michele, Alexa and Mila.  He also leaves behind brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Rocco arrived on the M.S. Vulcania in Halifax at Pier 21, as most post-war European immigrants did in 1951, before settling in Montreal.

He came to Canada with little money and with no knowledge of the English or French language. He worked physically demanding jobs in the construction trade and he would send the hard-earned money back home to his wife and 1-year-old daughter in Sannicandro Di Bari, Italy.

One year and six months later, the family was re-united in a cozy 4 ½-room flat that he diligently furnished.  They settled in the Villeray neighbourhood, a stones-throw from the Jean-Talon open-air Farmers’ market where he loved haggling with the merchants for his fresh produce. His strategy for survival and success rested upon two pillars: work and family.

Visitation will be held at Loreto Funeral Complex, on Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023, from 14:00 to 17:00, 19:00 to 21:00, and Thursday Feb 9, 2023, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Feb 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m at Notre Dame du Mont  Carmel Church, ( 7645 rue du Mans, Saint Leonard)  followed by burial at Le Repos St-Francois D’Assise Cemetery.