ONORINA BERNES

BERNES, ONORINA FRIESS
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mom, nonna and nonna bis, on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at Almonte Country Haven. Rina was born in Visignano d'Istria Italy (now Croatia) on March 13, 1930, to Teodoro and Maria Fortuna. She was the middle one of three very close knit sisters: Ida, Rina and Livia. Life changed for her after the war as she and her family were forced to leave all that they owned and move to the other side of Italy where they stayed in refugee camps. Mom was always a hard worker, and despite life's hardships, a positive and happy person. She met Ezio Bernes in Torino where they married and where their children Gabriella and Luciano were born. In 1965 they emigrated to what was then Port Arthur to start a new life. There they found work, made many life long friends and lived happily until Ezio's passing in 1996. After a few years mom met a very nice American gentleman by the name of William Friess. Mom and Bill married and lived a wonderful happy life in Florida, travelling throughout the U.S. and Europe. After Bill's passing mom moved back to Canada to live with her daughter in Hamilton for a few years until her health mandated another move. She spent the last year near her son in Almonte. Rina is survived by her daughter Gabriella (Michael) Sakula of Hamilton, son Luciano (Sandra) Bernes of Almonte, granddaughters Stefanie (Steve) Hutter of Kincardine, Laura (Steve) Holmquist of Hamilton, grandsons Jared (Sabrina) Bernes of Almonte, Bryce (Lee) Bernes of Fort McMurray, her beloved sister Livia Spinelli of Monfalcone Italy, seven beautiful great grandchildren, Bill's family - Art and Linda Friess, Cate Hildreth of Union City, Tennessee and relatives in Croatia, Spain and Argentina. She was predeceased by her parents, Teodoro and Maria Fortuna, her husband Ezio Bernes, her beloved sister Ida Godeas, brothers-in-law Guerino Godeas and Gabriele Spinelli and husband Bill Friess. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at St. Anthony's Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario from 9:00am to 9:30am; a funeral mass will follow at 9:30am. Interment will be held at St. Andrew's Cemetery.

Mamma - Sarai sempre nel nostro cuore.
Funeral Arrangements Entrusted Into The Care Of C.R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel Inc. (127 Church St., Almonte, ON. 613-256-3313)

Condolences & Tributes: www.crgamble.com