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- [S5] Obituary.
Frank (Francesco) Barca, age 69 years, passed away peacefully in St. Joseph's Hospital on Friday, January 13, 2017 with family by his side. He was born on June 27, 1947 in Rende, Cosenza, Italy. Frank, the eldest child, travelled to Canada in 1958 with his mother and brothers to rejoin their father who had prepared a home for them in Port Arthur.
Frank attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and Hammarskjold High School. He graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Education Degree and Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in History. He loved to travel the world and this was reflected in his teaching destinations. The first few years of teaching brought him to the Bahamas and many locations across Canada. He retired from teaching after spending some time on Northern Ontario reserves. Frank did not shy away from physical work. In his younger days, he worked on the asphalt crew with Towland-Hewitson before returning to teaching. He was actively involved in the planning, design and construction of several houses.
Frank was an avid bridge player and enjoyed the social aspect of the game as well as the intellectual challenge. This is where he developed many long-lasting friendships. In his early days, Frank spent some time at the Klondike Casino and more recently he visited the OLG Casino. He was an enthusiastic, tireless reader and a student of history and politics ready to discuss either at any time. He always enjoyed a spirited debate or discussion and would dispense his wisdom and advice freely, especially to his nieces and nephews whom he thought of as his own. "Tata" or "Zio Frankie" as he was affectionately called by his nieces and nephews, always looked forward to their visits, especially those of his great nephews.
Frank is lovingly remembered by his mother, Antonietta, siblings Michael (Anna), James (Judie), Mario, Mary (Nok) Ratana-Rueangsri, Amelia Osadec, nieces and nephews Katherine Barca, Adrian Barca, Kristy Barca, Lindsay (Curtis) Fenton, Stephanie Jankovic, Lauren (Richard) Tracy, Andrew Ratana-Rueangsri, Janelle (Trevor) Gamache, Jennifer Osadec, great nephews Cohen and Braden Fenton, Benjamin and Felix Jankovic and Weston Tracy. He is also survived by his aunt Emma Rucchetto, cousins Julie Rucchetto, and Angie Rucchetto-Maxted, as well as other relatives in Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Buenos Aires, and Italy.
Frank was predeceased by his father Serafino and uncle Tony Rucchetto, as well as other relatives abroad.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2017 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, presided by Rev. Msgr. P. M. Stilla, V.G. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Cremation will follow the service with inurnment in Sunset Memorial Gardens at a later date. Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Frank's memory to the TBRHS Foundation - Northern Cancer Fund.
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1947 - 2017 (69 years)
