This story was written for The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal Newspaper,
and published in July 2004,
just weeks after my grandfather “Nonno” passed away.
Nonno’s Festa
Written by Dina Morrone
When my grandfather, Rocco Tarsitano but known as Nonno to me, left Perito, Cosenza in Calabria, Italy in 1956 and headed for Canada, he did so for the same reason most immigrants do, for a better life.
Nonno was married to Nonna Filomena Marano, a strong willed, hard working, religious woman. They had seven children, Angelina, Natalina, Duilia, Irena, Francesco, Antonio., and Pasquale. Unfortunately, Francesco and Pasquale died when they were infants and Irena died at the age of 12 Nonno never talked about this loss but one day he opened up and told me he felt his daughter Irena had come into this world to save his life. World War two had broken out and he was called to serve. He was petrified and scared to die. He didn’t want to leave Nonna as a young widow alone with three little girls and baby Irena who was about to be born. As he sadly prepared for his departure, many tears were shed.