Olga Fresco

Maria Sabia Olga Fresco (nee Cotellessa)

It is with great sadness that the Fresco Family announce the passing of Olga Fresco at the age of 84, peacefully on Sunday June 18, 2023 at the Etobicoke General Hospital – Palliative Care 9th floor 9 East.
Predeceased by the love of her life Nicola Fresco, her husband of 48 years, her parents Concetta d’Orsogna and Giuseppe Cotellessa, and her brothers, Aldo and Giorgio Cotellessa.

Born in Lanciano, Chieti, Italy on April 9, 1939. Family of 4 brothers Aldo, Sebastanio, Carlo and Giorgio.
Dad went back to Italy in 1968 and got the “I have a girl for you” she was the one. She married Nicola Fresco on 01 Dec. 1968. They moved to Canada shortly after their wedding, she immigrated alone in winter to be reunited with her husband, landing in Fort William, Ontario on the 16 December 1968.

Olga was caring, thoughtful, patient, and generous. She loved the garden, picnics on Sunday at Chippewa Park, and trips to Italy, Canada and Vegas. Together with her husband, they worked hard and built a better life for the family and to follow the Canadian dream of building a home and family with strength and determination, as well as starting and owning a number of businesses with her husband: The Spaghetti House on 112 East Frederica Street and Nick’s Barber Shop on 1509 Brown Street in Thunder Bay.

Never abandoning her true Abruzzo roots, she was happiest in her garden or in the kitchen where she perfected her infamous lasagna, polpette, cotelleta, and cabbage rolls; There was always room at the table for one more.
When we moved to Humber Crescent in March 1988, a new beginning for her having a home of her own, with her 9 Boys. Thats what it looked like to Marion our neighbour next door when we moved in that day. With the help of Mark B, Corey H, Murray S, Robert V, Greg S, Lawrence P, John D, John B.

She will be missed by her all her friends and neighbors, both on Humber Crescent and Pennyroyal Crescent that care so much for her.

Olga was able to enjoy a very long and happy life. She will be missed by her son, Joe. A special thank you to Zio Carlo Cotellessa and Zia Luciana Pezzella for their support. Olga will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews in Lanciano, Italy, Stockholm, Sweden, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Thunder Bay, Ontario and Villa Rogatt, Italy. Dory, Giuseppe, Paolo, Ivan and Jenny will always remember Zia Olga as a Grand Lady, always positive.

The Fresco Family would like to thank the palliative care team and staff at Etobicoke General Hospital 9th Floor 9 East nursing station, friends that visited her in the hospital, PSW, student nurses, cleaning staff and patients, especially Helen Hazelaar roommate to mom who I met over the course of 7 weeks. Thank You.

Family and friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home 4671 Hwy 7, Woodbridge on Monday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Marguerite D'Youville Church 2490 Sandalwood Parkway East, Brampton. Entombment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

In memory of Olga, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society or to the William Osler Health System Foundation, would be greatly appreciated by the family.




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