Obituary for Domenic Chiarella
CHIARELLA, Domenic – It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Domenic Chiarella on January 4. Domenic died peacefully of natural causes, in the home that he built 63 years ago and surrounded by his devoted wife of 67 years, Savina, his daughters, his sons-in-law, and his grandchildren. He was 96.
He was married to Savina who showed him an exemplary and enduring love throughout their life together, especially over the last several years. He was father to four daughters who respected him greatly: Rosetta Del Monte (Luciano), Mary Lou Sinclair (Lawrence deceased in 2009), Sandra Delduca (Michael) and Lucia DiNunzio (Eliseo). He is survived by his many grandchildren: Vince and Flavia Del Monte, Adrian and Amy Del Monte, Michael and April Del Monte, Giuliana and Ryan Murphy, Patrick Sinclair, Sophia and Jeremy Phillips, Maria Delduca, Rachel and Roberto Ercoli, Luca and Michaela DiNunzio, Stefan DiNunzio, and Eric DiNunzio. He is also survived by ten great grandchildren.
In Niagara Falls, he is survived by his brother Antonio (Nino) and Gina Chiarella, and his brother-in-law Domenic and Wilma Calabrese. In Italy, he is survived by his sisters Ida Mete (deceased Alberto), and Teresa Pascente (deceased Saverio). He is predeceased by his parents, Luigi and Rosa (Pascente) Chiarella, and siblings, Maria Chiarella, Giuseppina (Franco) Facciolo, Saverio, Stella (Angelo) Trapasso and Tommaso (Barbara) Chiarella.
Domenic was born in Gimigliano, Catanzaro, Calabria. He was the second oldest of nine children. In hopes of a better future after World War II, he emigrated to Niagara Falls in 1951. Coming to Canada, he first worked as a labourer and a surveyor before founding Niagara River Construction in 1965, where he was a General Contractor in residential, commercial and industrial construction throughout the Niagara region. He was known for his leadership, integrity and excellent workmanship.
Domenic was an accomplished businessman. In 1988, he built Fairview Mausoleum which continues to operate as a family business. One of his greatest claims to fame is that he spearheaded the purchasing of land and the building of Club Italia Cultural Centre for the purpose of enriching the Niagara area with Italian traditions and sport. He relished when Club Italia members would come together, watch a soccer game, or play bocce, borella or cards, winners and losers having a drink together afterwards. He never forgot that Canada had been good to him and had provided a good life full of opportunity for him and his family. In his words, “I’m glad we came to Canada.”
Domenic was also an author and poet. He authored a book of poetry (Senza Pretese, 2006) which looks at life in Italy and Canada from both a humorous and thoughtful perspective. He also authored The History of Club Italia, a book in both Italian and English, which provides the history of the genesis of this organization.
Domenic loved his homeland Italy and his beloved Gimigliano and Calabria. He loved to travel with Savina to Europe and the Americas. He gave his daughters a love and an appreciation of the Italian culture. He always insisted he be spoken to in Italian and was quick to correct any grammatical errors. He jokingly required all his family, particularly his sons-in-law, to know the basic steps of the waltz, tango and polka before they married his daughters.
Domenic was very active in his charitable works in Niagara. He was a Big Brother and active with The United Way and the Annual Elimination Draw and Dinner. Amidst his many accomplishments, he leaves behind a humble legacy of taking personal responsibility. He felt strongly about creating one’s own future and destiny, working hard, providing and sacrificing for one’s family and community. He enjoyed the simple things of life: vegetable gardening and cultivating his fruit trees, composing poetry, family get-togethers, a good meal and a glass of his homemade wine while watching his beloved Italian programming. He was a lifelong learner and learned to speak Spanish and play guitar in his later years. He leaves a legacy of love for the arts and an appreciation for family, hard work, and his culture.
Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Lawrence Sinclair Scholarship Fund (established in memory of his late son-in-law) https://burlingtonfoundation.org/fund/lawrence-sinclair-scholarship-fund/
or the Niagara Marco Polo Foundation (c/o Club Italia 905-374-7388)
A celebration of life will occur at a future point in time. A private family funeral and entombment is planned at Fairview Mausoleum.
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morseandson.com
He was married to Savina who showed him an exemplary and enduring love throughout their life together, especially over the last several years. He was father to four daughters who respected him greatly: Rosetta Del Monte (Luciano), Mary Lou Sinclair (Lawrence deceased in 2009), Sandra Delduca (Michael) and Lucia DiNunzio (Eliseo). He is survived by his many grandchildren: Vince and Flavia Del Monte, Adrian and Amy Del Monte, Michael and April Del Monte, Giuliana and Ryan Murphy, Patrick Sinclair, Sophia and Jeremy Phillips, Maria Delduca, Rachel and Roberto Ercoli, Luca and Michaela DiNunzio, Stefan DiNunzio, and Eric DiNunzio. He is also survived by ten great grandchildren.
In Niagara Falls, he is survived by his brother Antonio (Nino) and Gina Chiarella, and his brother-in-law Domenic and Wilma Calabrese. In Italy, he is survived by his sisters Ida Mete (deceased Alberto), and Teresa Pascente (deceased Saverio). He is predeceased by his parents, Luigi and Rosa (Pascente) Chiarella, and siblings, Maria Chiarella, Giuseppina (Franco) Facciolo, Saverio, Stella (Angelo) Trapasso and Tommaso (Barbara) Chiarella.
Domenic was born in Gimigliano, Catanzaro, Calabria. He was the second oldest of nine children. In hopes of a better future after World War II, he emigrated to Niagara Falls in 1951. Coming to Canada, he first worked as a labourer and a surveyor before founding Niagara River Construction in 1965, where he was a General Contractor in residential, commercial and industrial construction throughout the Niagara region. He was known for his leadership, integrity and excellent workmanship.
Domenic was an accomplished businessman. In 1988, he built Fairview Mausoleum which continues to operate as a family business. One of his greatest claims to fame is that he spearheaded the purchasing of land and the building of Club Italia Cultural Centre for the purpose of enriching the Niagara area with Italian traditions and sport. He relished when Club Italia members would come together, watch a soccer game, or play bocce, borella or cards, winners and losers having a drink together afterwards. He never forgot that Canada had been good to him and had provided a good life full of opportunity for him and his family. In his words, “I’m glad we came to Canada.”
Domenic was also an author and poet. He authored a book of poetry (Senza Pretese, 2006) which looks at life in Italy and Canada from both a humorous and thoughtful perspective. He also authored The History of Club Italia, a book in both Italian and English, which provides the history of the genesis of this organization.
Domenic loved his homeland Italy and his beloved Gimigliano and Calabria. He loved to travel with Savina to Europe and the Americas. He gave his daughters a love and an appreciation of the Italian culture. He always insisted he be spoken to in Italian and was quick to correct any grammatical errors. He jokingly required all his family, particularly his sons-in-law, to know the basic steps of the waltz, tango and polka before they married his daughters.
Domenic was very active in his charitable works in Niagara. He was a Big Brother and active with The United Way and the Annual Elimination Draw and Dinner. Amidst his many accomplishments, he leaves behind a humble legacy of taking personal responsibility. He felt strongly about creating one’s own future and destiny, working hard, providing and sacrificing for one’s family and community. He enjoyed the simple things of life: vegetable gardening and cultivating his fruit trees, composing poetry, family get-togethers, a good meal and a glass of his homemade wine while watching his beloved Italian programming. He was a lifelong learner and learned to speak Spanish and play guitar in his later years. He leaves a legacy of love for the arts and an appreciation for family, hard work, and his culture.
Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Lawrence Sinclair Scholarship Fund (established in memory of his late son-in-law) https://burlingtonfoundation.org/fund/lawrence-sinclair-scholarship-fund/
or the Niagara Marco Polo Foundation (c/o Club Italia 905-374-7388)
A celebration of life will occur at a future point in time. A private family funeral and entombment is planned at Fairview Mausoleum.
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morseandson.com