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BORN
1927
DIED
2024
FUNERAL HOME
ANTONIO TARABOCCHIA Obituary
ANTONIO "TONY" TARABOCCHIA
Mr. Antonio "Tony" Tarabocchia, age 97 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully at his home on Government Road, on September 26, 2024, with family by his side.
Tony was born on Canidole Grande (Isla), Italy on January 17, 1927. He grew up poor during the World War II era and spent his youth fishing waters of the Adriatic Sea surrounding this island, now called Vele Srakane, Croatia. The Virgin Mary appeared to him in a dream, comforting him on the war's end. True to her words, it ended in a month.
In 1948, Vele Srakane was in post-war turmoil. Tony and a few men rowed to Italy, seeking a better future. Instead, authorities sent them to jail as suspected spies. When set free, he entered Campo Canzanella at Fuorigrotta, Naples, a refugee camp holding 1,100 men. For three years, he worked in the camp infirmary, giving needles to patients.
In 1951, he immigrated to Canada, travelling by ship to Halifax and by train to Beardmore, Ontario. After bush camp, he moved to Port Arthur, Ontario and worked as an orderly at St. Joseph's Hospital. Near his apartment, he recognized St. Anthony's Church from a dream experienced before moving to Canada. Soon, he met his wife-to-be, Irene, and was married there.
Tony and Irene created a thriving business. He started out by doing TV repairs, charging $3.50 per house call. He built a modest repair shop, opened stores and hired staff, and began selling TVs like hotcakes! With success came business travel to Hawaii, Africa, Spain, and Japan. His shop-Tony's TV & Stereo-had transformed him into the Color TV Man, which became the title of his self-published book. In the 1980s, they sold the TV business and started Furniture Recycle, a second-hand store. Tony stayed home to the end, aided by family and home support workers.
Tony loved vegetable gardening, fishing, and visiting with family and friends. He was a gentle, kind, and friendly man known to dress up and amuse others. He loved music and especially dancing. In his final years, his son Jay cared for Tony and together they created Adventure 38 gardens and donated vegetables.
Tony will be lovingly remembered by his children: Rina Desimone, Anthony Tarabocchia (Ramona), Lori Stevens (Barry), Kim Pappalardo (Gary), Jay Tarabocchia, Mark Tarabocchia, Noel Tarabocchia (Eugenia); 15 grandchildren: Aaron and Justin Desimone, Natasha and Toni-Lynn Tarabocchia, Rae-ann and Roger Stevens, Andrea DeAgazio, Ashley Lacaria, Alyssa Karpowich, Ryan and Kyle and Antonio Tarabocchia, Caitlin Watkins, Krista Monahan, Autumn Tarabocchia; 24 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and his sisters Rina Ostojic and Elena Hroncic and sisters-in-law Patricia Tarabokija and Irma Tarabocchia.
Tony was predeceased by his wife Irene Tarabocchia; father Anton Tarabokija, mother Barbara Tarabokija; brothers: Federico Tarabocchia (Dorthy), Domenick Tarabocchia, and Libero Tarabokija.
Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024 in Corpus Christi Church, 664 Red River Road, with Funeral Mass to be celebrated by Rev. Rey Ronquillo. Interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the Mass.
The family of Tony thanks the organizations and people who helped Tony stay at home, including Dr. Doiron; North West LHIN; Ontario Health at Home co-ordinators: Sierra, Heather; Saint Elizabeth nurses: NP Ross, Meagan, Dane, Melissa, Nik, Kristina, Caroline, Ashley, Chris, Chiomella, Claudia; PSWs: Katalyn, Ryan; social worker: David; Partners in Rehab OTs: Angie, Courtney, Katharine; PTs: Sarah, Jamie-Lyn, Josh, Steve; LT: Sarah; Care Partners; MediGas; Shoppers and Walmart Pharmacies; Victorian Order of Nurses.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Tony's memory to St. Andrew's Dew Drop Inn Thunder Bay.
The service will be livestreamed at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.
Mr. Antonio "Tony" Tarabocchia, age 97 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully at his home on Government Road, on September 26, 2024, with family by his side.
Tony was born on Canidole Grande (Isla), Italy on January 17, 1927. He grew up poor during the World War II era and spent his youth fishing waters of the Adriatic Sea surrounding this island, now called Vele Srakane, Croatia. The Virgin Mary appeared to him in a dream, comforting him on the war's end. True to her words, it ended in a month.
In 1948, Vele Srakane was in post-war turmoil. Tony and a few men rowed to Italy, seeking a better future. Instead, authorities sent them to jail as suspected spies. When set free, he entered Campo Canzanella at Fuorigrotta, Naples, a refugee camp holding 1,100 men. For three years, he worked in the camp infirmary, giving needles to patients.
In 1951, he immigrated to Canada, travelling by ship to Halifax and by train to Beardmore, Ontario. After bush camp, he moved to Port Arthur, Ontario and worked as an orderly at St. Joseph's Hospital. Near his apartment, he recognized St. Anthony's Church from a dream experienced before moving to Canada. Soon, he met his wife-to-be, Irene, and was married there.
Tony and Irene created a thriving business. He started out by doing TV repairs, charging $3.50 per house call. He built a modest repair shop, opened stores and hired staff, and began selling TVs like hotcakes! With success came business travel to Hawaii, Africa, Spain, and Japan. His shop-Tony's TV & Stereo-had transformed him into the Color TV Man, which became the title of his self-published book. In the 1980s, they sold the TV business and started Furniture Recycle, a second-hand store. Tony stayed home to the end, aided by family and home support workers.
Tony loved vegetable gardening, fishing, and visiting with family and friends. He was a gentle, kind, and friendly man known to dress up and amuse others. He loved music and especially dancing. In his final years, his son Jay cared for Tony and together they created Adventure 38 gardens and donated vegetables.
Tony will be lovingly remembered by his children: Rina Desimone, Anthony Tarabocchia (Ramona), Lori Stevens (Barry), Kim Pappalardo (Gary), Jay Tarabocchia, Mark Tarabocchia, Noel Tarabocchia (Eugenia); 15 grandchildren: Aaron and Justin Desimone, Natasha and Toni-Lynn Tarabocchia, Rae-ann and Roger Stevens, Andrea DeAgazio, Ashley Lacaria, Alyssa Karpowich, Ryan and Kyle and Antonio Tarabocchia, Caitlin Watkins, Krista Monahan, Autumn Tarabocchia; 24 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and his sisters Rina Ostojic and Elena Hroncic and sisters-in-law Patricia Tarabokija and Irma Tarabocchia.
Tony was predeceased by his wife Irene Tarabocchia; father Anton Tarabokija, mother Barbara Tarabokija; brothers: Federico Tarabocchia (Dorthy), Domenick Tarabocchia, and Libero Tarabokija.
Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024 in Corpus Christi Church, 664 Red River Road, with Funeral Mass to be celebrated by Rev. Rey Ronquillo. Interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the Mass.
The family of Tony thanks the organizations and people who helped Tony stay at home, including Dr. Doiron; North West LHIN; Ontario Health at Home co-ordinators: Sierra, Heather; Saint Elizabeth nurses: NP Ross, Meagan, Dane, Melissa, Nik, Kristina, Caroline, Ashley, Chris, Chiomella, Claudia; PSWs: Katalyn, Ryan; social worker: David; Partners in Rehab OTs: Angie, Courtney, Katharine; PTs: Sarah, Jamie-Lyn, Josh, Steve; LT: Sarah; Care Partners; MediGas; Shoppers and Walmart Pharmacies; Victorian Order of Nurses.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Tony's memory to St. Andrew's Dew Drop Inn Thunder Bay.
The service will be livestreamed at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal on Oct. 5, 2024.
Memories and Condolences
for ANTONIO TARABOCCHIA
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1 Entry
Ellen
July 4, 2025
My deepest condolences to all. Thinking of all in my thoughts and prayers .
Ellen Wyder aka Leiterman
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