02/21/2022
DiFRUSCIO, Domenico Joseph 'Mickey' Sr.
It is with great sadness that the family announces that Mickey DiFruscio Sr. passed away peacefully at the St. Catharines Hospital on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the age of 95. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (née Ylagan). Loving father of Dominic 'Mickey' Jr. (Marie-Hélène) and William. Cherished Nonno of Madeleine. Predeceased by his loving parents Orelio and Florence, sisters Elena (late Joe), Doreen (late Bob), brothers Carmen, Anthony (late Frances), William (late Grace), John (late Lucy), and Joseph (late Helen). Dear brother-in-law of Aurora (late Johnny), Celso Jr. (Enya), Nestor (Rachel), Eric (Evelyn), Victoria (late Michael), Celso III (Catherine) and Joel (Anna). He will be sadly missed by his many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends and neighbours. Mickey, as he was fondly called by his friends and relatives, was born and raised in Thorold, Ontario. Like a tree, he established strong roots in the community and the branches symbolize the many ways he reached out and touched many lives. He was a veteran of World War II, a longshoreman for 40 years at the Ontario Paper Company and local union president for 27 years. He was dedicated to politics for over 50 years, including as a constituency association vice-president for over 30 years, and a great friend and confidant of the Hon. Gib Parent, M.P., former Speaker of the House of Commons. He faithfully and actively served as the longest sitting board member of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority for 25 years, chaired and served on numerous committees, and was named honorary member for life. He was a strong advocate for the protection and restoration of habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. "Long live the monarch butterfly". Mickey was an avid game hunter and fisherman and enjoyed many trips to Manitoulin Island where he made many friends. He loved gardening, cooking and canning, making homemade pasta and sauces, wine, cheeses, sausages and pies and bread. He admired immensely the beauty of nature, wildlife, birds, trees, flowers and plants and enjoyed travelling to different countries around the world. He loved watching hockey, world history and nature shows. He had an amazing sense of humour and would always remember a good joke to pass along. He lived life with passion and integrity and love for his family. You will live and we will cherish you forever in our hearts. The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses, personal support workers and the rest of the medical team for all of their kindness, care and compassion during these difficult times. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation. The family will receive friends at the HAINE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 26 Ormond Street South, Thorold, on Wednesday, February 23 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church (21 Queen Street South, Thorold) on Thursday, February 24 at 11:00am. Rite of Committal at Lakeview Cemetery, Thorold. Proof of vaccination QR code and photo ID, as well as face masks are required for all guests attending the visitation and funeral.
