Vittorina Zuccaro
elevated Kme3j Vittorina (Carnale) Zuccaro was born in Supino, Italy, on December 11, 1922 to her loving parents Vittorio and Filomena as well as her older brothers Antonio, Luigi, Amerigo. Giuseppe was born later. Even at a young age Vittorina was introduced to hard work as he came from a family of shepherds and producers of fresh pecorino cheese. Every morning, at first light, she would escort her sheep to the fresh spring water atop Santa Serena. This is where she got used to much walking/climbing up and down the mountain. During the war, she worked with Angelina (Mancini) Rossi in Collefero. Rising at 3:30 am the two, along with others from Supino would walk 1 ½ hours to Ferentino, take the train for 40 minutes then walk for 20 minutes to reach the munitions plant. After a normal 10-hour work day, the return trip home was just as tiring – and she never complained!!
elevated Kme3j After a short courtship with her sweetheart Antonio they married on March 18, 1943 and then he went off to war. Vittorina was left with his parents and to help work their land. After his return, they started with family with the arrival of Mario in June 1948 and then Alfredo in May 1952. In 1953, Antonio left for Canada to find work and make a better life for his family. He first settled in Windsor with his brother Amerigo but later, due to lack of work in the area, he moved to Toronto, bought a home and finally in July, 1958 they were reunited once more. Vittorina and Antonio were always happy to lend a helping hand and so for many years they had one or more nephews, Vittorio and MariaAngelina Carnale, Roberto and Guerrino(Gary) Bonanni, and Tonino and Giuliana Bonanni just to name a few. Vittorina worked throughout this time but also cooked, cleaned, did laundry and ironing for everyone – and she never complained! Plus there was always company that stopped by and never a shortage of food and drink to share.
elevated Kme3j Having suffered as a prisoner of war, Antonio suffered poor health and therefore spent much time in hospital or at home in bed. Vittorina had even more pressures on her shoulders in order to provide for her family. After Vittorina was left widowed in 1967, she was on her own to raise and provide for her sons while also taking care of the house, garden and make sure her tenants were always happy too – and she never complained!!! Her close friends and family became even more dear to her as she appreciated their company and moral support. Her friendship with Angelina and Nazzareno Rossi became even stronger.
elevated Kme3j She had several jobs over the years, her last one was working for her nephew Gary Bonanni at Sea Queen. During her time there she generously kept many female family and friends supplied with bathing suits. She also loved to travel to Acapulco, Italy and later with her friends in the Villa Colombo Day Program – even going away annually for a week to Wasaga Beach. Vittorina worked hard all her life and even after she retired at the age of 65, with her great health she continued to keep busy cultivating her vegetable garden, taking care of her lawn, even shovelling the snow until her early 90s!! She loved to take her daily walks around the block and talk to her neighbours and other friends she met along the way. Even though she never mastered the English language very well, she actually understood more than she let on. She was quite independent in managing her daily financial affairs, her tenants, sightseeing around Toronto, going to the Exhibition or the Johnny Lombardi Canada Day Celebrations with Maria Rossi and Maria Boni. Her nightly telephone conversations with her Comare Angelina were the highlight of her days! Once her grandchildren, including the pets Simon, Lucy and Harley, started arriving she was busy doting on them and making sure she had baked treats or great meals for them when they visited. After being hospitalized in December 2016 for a month, she could no longer be left on her own and decided to move into Villa Colombo Toronto where he was very familiar with the surroundings and the staff and participants of the Seniors’ Day Program. She felt right at home and everyone welcomed her with open arms. She soon made new friends especially Adriana in the room next door. The two of them were inseparable and were often seen walking the halls together or sitting discussing the latest news events they had seen on TV. Even though she started to slow down in the last year, she never gave up trying to get out of bed and taking her daily walks with her walker. She looked forward to her family visiting, even the dogs! Her favourite past time was all the socializing done either in the activity room on Fidani First Floor or meeting friends near the fountain in the main lobby and attending mass in the chapel. Of late she especially loved the daily assistance given to her by Franca who kept her company and took her downstairs and outside for a change of scenery when she couldn’t manage on her own.
elevated Kme3j Due to the pandemic, she was quite lonely since early March as no one could visit but all the residents managed to keep each other company. In late April she was admitted to Sunnybrook for observation and could have returned to Villa Colombo the following week had it not been for Villa Colombo’s lock-down as a result of the COVID virus. While at Sunnybrook she enjoyed being taken outside for fresh air and music concerts and was seen clapping for joy!!
elevated Kme3j Even though she was looking forward to returning to her friends at Villa Colombo it was not meant to be. She was becoming increasingly weak until the morning of July 13th when she closed her eyes for the last time. Everyone is saying “she had such a great long life” – in fact it was long but she had her share of hardship and sadness but never gave up – and she never complained!! – she persevered and worked hard to make a better life for herself and her sons. She has now joined her beloved Antonio once again after a long separation.Â
elevated Kme3j Mourning her absence are her sons Mario (Josie), and Alfredo (Rita); her grandchildren Marco (Cristina); Nadia (Paul); Andrea (James); and Jennifer (Steven) as well as her loving great-grandchildren Gabriella, Isabelle, Marcus, and Olivia. She was predeceased by all her brothers. Her many nieces, nephews, as well as numerous friends in Ontario, Michigan, California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Supino, Italy have such fond memories of great times spent in fun and laughter with “Zia Vittorina” so that her legacy will live on forever. Rest in Peace Vittorina!
elevated Kme3j Donations in Vittorina’s name can be made to a charity of your choice.
elevated Kme3j Due to COVID restrictions, only immediate family will participate in visitation and funeral mass but everyone is invited to join us through the webcast link provided.
elevated Kme3j https://admin.oneroomstreaming.com/email/view/aa6d48f4b3
elevated Kme3j Mario, Alfredo and family sincerely thank you for all your prayers, calls, emails, etc – your show of support and consolation, at this most difficult time, is much appreciated.
Our sincere condolences to Fred, Mario and families, on your mom passing, a generation had ended and she will live on with you in your memories.
Thinking of you and praying for you all.
Vittorina RIP.
Marta and Fausto
Marta and Fausto:
Thank you for your message of sympathy.
It’s very much appreciated by everyone.
Mario, Fred and families
Mario, Fred and families please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of your dear mother Vittoria. May you cherish the wonderful memories that you share and may they comfort you during this most difficult time!
Eliana and Michael:
Your condolences are much appreciated on the loss of
our dear Mother Vittorina.
Mario, Fred and families
Mario/Josie/Fred/Rita and Family
I was sadden to hear of your wonderful, loving mother (as I called the Signora Vittorina”, she was always a part of my life growing up, her visits with my parent (Francesco & Teresa Alfano) always there for a lunch or a dinner. Wonderful memories and how she was always smiling and so nice to me as I was growing up and even as an adult. Whenever I saw her, her kindness and love was seen through her beautiful smile on her face. Truly will miss her, but I have all her amazing memories to remember her by.
Condolences to you all.
Rose I grew up with you and lived down the street. I too have such lovely memories of you and your kind parents and brothers. Warm regards, Joanne
Rose:
We are so happy that you have such fond memories of our dear Mother to hold in your heart forever.
Thank you for your beautiful message of sympathy.
Mario, Fred and families
Cara Vittorina ti ricordo proprio cosi’ sorridente. Riposa in pace ora ma continua a fare le tue camminate. Un abbraccio a Fred, Mario ed i vostri famigliari.
Anna
Anna:
Thank you for your condolences of the loss of our dear Mother
Vittorina. She will be truly missed by many.
Mario, Fred and families
Sending our love and condolences. Such a beautiful obituary.
Vittorina was my nonna’s best friend. Not a day would go by without them speaking with each other. Such a beautiful friendship.
May you always cherish your memories of her.đź’• May she rest in peace.
Christina:
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, your dear Grandmother, “Comare Angelina” is missing her so much right now but she has the best memories to keep her alive in her heart forever.
Mario, Fred and families
Our sincerest condolences for your Loss . Vitoria was a wonderful lady May she Rest In Peace.
John, Tina, Vince & Grace:
Thank you for your lovely message of condolences.
Mario, Fred and families
What a beautiful photo you’ve chosen for her memorial. I cried through your obituary notice. I am one of the many fortunate ones who got to hear those stories first hand. I can still see her now, recounting her beautiful life. Beautiful but not without suffering. You’re right, she never complained. I’m so sorry she had to go like this, we all deserve a warm hand holding ours as we drift away. She was such a beautiful influence in mom’s life at VC. Without her, mom would have found most days too difficult to bear. Thank you for the gift if Vittorina to our family. She was truly a kind and gentle presence in our lives. May God keep her in the palm of his hands. May she watch over her children and their families. May she watch over mom, her last neighbour who loved her so much and misses her presence immensely.
Josie, Adriana and Paul:
Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, Adriana and Vittorina were “BFF’s” at Villa Colombo and I’m sure Adriana is missing her very much.
Hopefully, the memories of the great times they shared will help comfort her.
Mario, Fred and families
Our condolences to you and your family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May she rest in peace. Connie and Tony Ierullo
Connie and Tony:
Your message of condolences is much appreciated at this
very difficult time.
Mario, Fred and families
My sincere condolences to Fred and Mario and all of your families for the loss of your beloved mother, grandmother , great grandmother and loving friend to everyone. I did not know Vittorina, but her obituary is a great testament to a magnificent woman who truly lived life to the fullest with love, dignity and joy.
Rest in peace Signora Vittorina.
Dear Fred and Rita
Many Blessing to your Mother as she has passed into our Holy Heavens.
Teresa and Bernie:
Your words of sympathy are very much appreciated.
Thanks
Rita and Fred
Grace:
Your kind note of condolences is very heartwarming while we learn to adjust to a life without Vittorina.
Mario, Fred and families
Dear Fred, Rita and family,
Our deepest condolences on your loss.
Dianne and John:
Thanks so much for thinking of us and sending your note of sympathy.
Rita and Fred
Our deepest condolences go out to the family for the loss of our dear zia Vittorina. What a woman she was!
A real trupper. Always welcoming with a smile, her arms wide open for a hug. We have many wonderful memories. Let us remember her by practicing her goodness and her gusto of life.
With much love,
Benilde & Franca Nalli
Mimma & Luigi Martini
Anthony Battaglia
Franca, Benilde, Mimma, Luigi, Anthony:
Thank you for your kind words – great advice too!
Much appreciated.
Mario, Fred and families
Dear Fred & Rita, sending you and your family my sincere condolences for Vittorina’s passing. We were all cheering that she would reach a 100 but it was not meant to be. She will always be remembered by those who knew her as a gentle, hard-working, and kind woman. May she rest with the Angels in everlasting peace and watch over all of you.
Joanne:
How true, we were hoping we could have a huge celebration at 100 but she packed in quite a life full of wonderful experiences, challenges, friendships, etc. in her 97 1/2 years!!
Thanks for your kind words.
Rita and Fred
Dearest Rita, Fred and family. Please accept our most sincere condolences in this trying time for you and your family. No loss is greater than the loss of a mother. We share your pain and are here for you.
Kathy Venetis and family
Kathy, George, Katie, Gus and family:
Your expression of sympathy is very consoling at this difficult time.
She is at peace but it’s still hard to accept that she’s no longer with us in person.
Thank you very much
Rita and Fred
My condolences to Mario and Fred and families. I was very sorry to hear about the passing of your mom Vittorina. May God give you strength to get through this difficult time.
RIP Vittorina
Rose:
Thank you so very much for your warm condolences.
Mario, Fred and families
My condolences to the
Family
Vince ierullo
Vince:
Very nice of you to send in your condolences.
Much appreciated.
Rita and Fred
I am so sorry to hear of Zia Vittorina’s passing.
I have so many fond memories from my childhood with her. She was a constant presence in my parents home. I remember going to watch fireworks with her. And her cooking and baking. RIP. My condolences to the entire family.
I just found out about this! My sincerest condolences! As you know, I lived in your mother’s house for 17 years, and I feel like we got to know each other well. She was an extraordinary person. Serene, kind, sweet, with a warm, wonderful smile.
All the best to you, Mario and Alfredo, and your wonderful families!