Rio Sergio Festarini

In loving memory of

Rio Sergio Festarini

August 1, 1928 – August 2, 2024

Sergio passed away at the age of 96 with joy in his heart. He had just returned from dancing at his grandson’s wedding a few days prior. Sergio loved to laugh and he loved being with people. His gregarious nature meant that he would seek out personal interactions with as many people as he could fit into a day and celebrate every one of  those encounters. 

Sergio was born in Iroquois Falls soon after his parents immigrated from the small village of Senigallia, Italy. He started his 46 year career with Abitibi Paper right out of High School, with many of those years spent working in the Personnel Department. Over his 30 years of retirement, there were countless encounters with people who would walk up and introduce themselves by saying, “I remember the day you hired me!”

As a young man, Sergio was very athletic and his house still holds many competitive trophies. He would love to recount the 1940’s story of the 100 yard dash held in Timmins featuring a member of the Canadian Olympic team, where he beat the Olympian to the line. Sergio was central to the establishment and running of the Curling Club, the Badminton Club, and the K-40. He was recruited into the Fire Department for his athleticism and retired as Deputy Chief after 47 years of service.

Sergio lived a full life. He continued many Italian traditions, making wine each fall and preparing family recipes for pasta sauce and homemade soup. He had a sign over his table which said “A meal without wine is called breakfast”. He married his High School sweetheart (Nancy Oskirko) and expanded his diet to reflect her Russian heritage. Christmas dinner would start with Italian cappelletti followed by cabbage rolls. Together, Sergio and Nancy would build a cottage at Nellie Lake and spend summers there for many years.  

He will be deeply missed by his children Ric (Wendy), Fred (Nancy) and Anna Maria (Steve) DeMello, his grandchildren Nicholas, Vincenzo, Christopher, Angelina, Alexander (Hannah), Elliott, Jerrett and Brett. He will also be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He is survived by his sister Clara, brother Franco and predeceased by his wife (Nancy) and his brother Ferruccio and parents, Rio & Evelina

Visitations will be held at Irvine and Irvine Funeral Home, 641 deTroyes Avenue in Iroquois Falls on Thursday, August 8th, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00pm and from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Marks Anglican Church on Friday, August 9th, 2024 at 10 am. Internment will be held at the Abitibi Cemetery following the service.

A celebration of life and light lunch will be held at the Legion following internment.

Memorial donations may be made to St Mark’s Anglican Church and would be greatly appreciated. If you wish to send online condolences to his family, to share your memories, please visit www.irvineandirvinefuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to

Irvine and Irvine Funeral Home

705-232-4006

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