Rita DeLuca

In Loving Memory of Rita DeLuca,

Rita was born on May 22, 1946, in Calabria, Italy. She was the only daughter of six children of the late Giuseppe and Teresa Bozzo. The family slowly all immigrated to Canada in the mid 1950’s and made their home in Toronto. Rita was just 10 years old when she arrived in 1956 and went to school in Toronto, eventually completing her high school diploma. She enjoyed school and would have continued on, however the desire of getting married and starting a family was stronger.

In 1965 at the young age of 19, Rita married Gino, a young man who was from a neighbouring town. Gino’s father was also a family friend. In their early years of marriage, Rita and Gino struggled to have children but finally with the grace of God had Lisa and Franco, and ultimately moved and lived in Woodbridge, Ontario since 1982. Rita devoted herself to taking care of her family while also working full-time. Both she and Gino worked hard to provide the best life and opportunities for their children, who wanted for nothing, putting them through University, marrying off their daughter, and celebrating the birth of their grandchildren. Gino passed suddenly in May of 2005, at the early age of 65. Gino was a loving husband and father and was truly missed by Rita who strongly felt his loss.

Rita unfortunately had her first stroke at the young age of 50, but bounced back quickly. Over the years, a number of strokes had significantly limited her abilities, but she was a fighter with a strong will to live. She has had caregivers for the last 10-12 years of her life who marveled at her fortitude, whit and feistiness. In 2019, Rita had two additional strokes and the last one in August required her to be placed in a temporary short term facility, where she passed away peacefully on April 7, 2020.

Rita will forever be missed by her son Franco, daughter Lisa, son-in-law Joe, and grandchildren Sofia and Lucas. Her children will remember her love and affection, sense of humour, love of desserts, good nature, selflessness and feistiness. Her grandchildren will remember her love and deepest fondness for them, dotting over them when she was able, and her love of relish and ice cream. She will also be missed by her 5 brothers Peter Bozzo (Maria), Frank Bozzo (Mena), Mike Bozzo (Jackie), Silvio Bozzo (Clara) and Albert Bozzo (Maria) and her many other brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Rita had a kind and gentle soul which was felt by everyone she encountered. She was an angel on earth who suffered many years before God called her home to join her husband Gino in heaven, where she can finally rest in peace.

The family is asking anyone wanting to send flowers or any gifts to instead make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation at https://www.heartandstroke.ca or to the Sick Kids Foundation at https://www.sickkidsfoundation.com.

Due to circumstances, there will be a mass and celebration honouring Rita’s life at a later date. We thank you for your warm and heartfelt support.

Please visit our Book of Memories where you can share your condolences at Family Interactive Area.

www.wardfuneralhome.com