Pasquale Cifelli

It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of our dear father, Pat Cifelli, on February 4, 2021 in his 90th year. Devoted husband to Rose Cifelli (this April 14th would be their 65th year of marriage), loving father to Anita Truman, Janet McLean and Chris Mank and father-in-law to Dave Truman, Kevin McLean and Rick Mank. Lovingly called “Nonno” to his beloved grand-children Jennifer Proctor (Chris Proctor), JoAnne Aron (deceased January 10, 1997), Ashley McLean (Eric Scannell), Jessica Mank, Laura Mank (deceased June 16, 1993), Brandon McLean (Kelsie Josephs), Connor Mank (Baylee Balfour) and great grand-children Jack Proctor, Ella Proctor, and Edyn Proctor (deceased March 28, 2012). Dear brother of Elvira D’Uva and predeceased by Nicolino, Alberto and Carlo Cifelli.

The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 8th at St. Mary’s Parish, Brampton, Ontario followed by entombment at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Mississauga.

Respecting the current situation and pandemic restrictions, the funeral service and entombment will be private. We thank you for your understanding and encourage you to provide your condolences to the family through this Memorial page. The family has also provided the opportunity to view the funeral service from the comfort of your home through a livestream link. This link will become available at the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to either The Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation in memory of Pat Cifelli.

Please see below for the family Eulogy

As I stand here and look out, I see all of Nonno’s proudest accomplishments: Nanna (Rose) his wife of almost 65 years, his three daughters, Anita, Janet and Christine and his Granchildren, Ashley, Jessica, Brandon and Connor.

Nonno will always be remembered for his generosity, work ethic, kind nature, humility and selflessness. These are all qualities that I admire and qualities I myself aspire to.

Pat Cifelli (Nonno) was born Saturday March 28, 1931 in Castelpetroso, Italy. His parents Addolorato and Antonietta Cifelli, had five children. Nonno was the youngest of four boys, born after Carl, Nick and Albert and just before his sister Elvira.

At the age of 21, Nonno came to Canada alone, arriving by boat via Halifax and taking the train to Toronto where he was greeted by his sponsor, my Nanna’s father, Philip DiLuca. Little did he know that Philip would be his father-in-law in four short years. Nonno lived with the DiLuca family, where he paid rent and worked at a factory making chairs for 75 cents per hour. Nonno was saving up to buy his first vehicle and 2 years later was very proud of his brand new station wagon. He always loved his vehicles, especially his 1956 white and red Chrysler that had huge flashy fins at the back. Anyone that knew Nonno, knew that he took pride in his vehicles, they were spotless inside and out. It was a long running joke, that if it suddenly started to rain, call Nonno and ask him if he just finished washing his car.


Nonno left his factory job when he got offered $1 per hour to be a painter. This turned into his life long career. He opened his own business Pat Cifelli Painting and Decorating, where he was well known for his work. He painted for Doctors, Lawyers and the well to do business people in Brampton and Toronto. Nonno was a perfectionist, with a keen eye and strong work ethic.

Nanna and Nonno were married on April 14, 1956 and it was only weeks ago, that I learned that Nonno proposed and Nanna said No. After reconsidering, Nanna wanted to wear her ring and Nonno wouldn’t give it up. Thankfully Nanna was able to find the ring and the rest is history. Nonno was not a world traveller. He loved being with Nanna at home. They did celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii, they travelled Europe by bus, and enjoyed many car trips to Florida with the family.

Nonno loved Nanna with all his heart. He would drive her to work, and walk around the mall waiting for her. They would meet in the food court for dinner and sometimes, you would catch a glimpse of him touching her hand before she went back to finish her shift.

We all love 9 Jersey Avenue. Nanna and Nonno have lived there for 55 years. We all have fond memories of Nanna cooking us dinner while sitting at the kitchen table with Nonno. He would regale us with his stories. He use to tell me about my Mom (Anita) and how much she hated eating meatballs…so she put them in her pockets; how Auntie Janet fell off of her bike and was afraid to tell him – not because she was injured, but because her bike may have been broken and how Auntie Chris use to come home with animals and how he grew very fond of the bunny. Nonno was one of those men who was born to be the dad of daughters.

Nonno came home one day with a miniature white French poodle; the story goes, it was one of his renters and he didn’t want the dog in the rental house, so he offered to take care of him. Fonzarelli was Nonno’s fur son. Where Nonno was; Fonzi was not far behind.

Nonno was famous for telling us about how he had never changed a diaper in his life (leaving Ash in a dirty one for hours when he was asked to babysit her). He loved to say…men in my time never did laundry, but also wanted us to know that he was the master of making Lipton Noodle soup

He will always be remembered sitting quietly in his rocking chair, with a grandchild on his lap, and laughing with them as they watched Cartoons…I think Nonno enjoyed them more than we did. He could also be found giving golf lessons in his basement with his much loved putting machine, and at recitals, soccer games, hockey games and lacrosse games, where , after they would be done, he would pull out a crisp $5 bill and tell us to buy a treat.

Nonno, as we lay you to rest today, I will never forget the feeling of your arms, as you embrace me with a hug every time I walked into your house, or the words, I love you Bella, before he passed the phone over to Nanna after our Sunday night calls. I will not forget you calling to yell at me when I forgot to call and tell you that I got home safe. Today, I take solitude in knowing that you spent almost 90 years of your life surrounded by ladies and now, as you head for the gates of Heaven, you will have your three granddaughters (JoAnne, Laura and Edyn) waiting to greet you.

I love you Nonno. Till I see you again