Lucio Degrassi

Love for Life

Lucio Degrassi, also lovingly known as Lou and nonno to his grandkids, was born on October 27, 1935 in Isola D'Istria (when Istria was still part of Italy).

He was the youngest of three children of Piero Degrassi, a fisherman and Amelia Vascotto.

As a young child he enjoyed carving wood. A skill he would later use in Canada. While his two older siblings, Maria Busana and Livio Degrassi remained in Italy, Lou moved to Canada in the early 60's after the Istrian Italian Exodus. It was in Canada where he started working as a cabinet maker and then moved onto working as a ship builder. Being a smart and dedicated man he then became a Structural Designer/Loftman. A career that gave him the opportunity to live in different parts of Canada and later on in the United States.

His favorite time of the year was Halloween and would ask our mother, Martha Degrassi to have his birthday celebration on Halloween asking everyone to dress up for the occasion. Undoubtedly, this also became his grandchildren's favorite event, as we all got to dress up as well in our favorite costumes.

He had a passion for LIFE. To this day we don't think we have ever met a man so in love with life. This is something that we should all learn from him. Besides a good glass of wine, one of his other passions was to travel with our mother to different parts of the world (Europe, Latin America and USA). Together they shared memories that will last a lifetime.

Of the so many stories shared by Lou with his family he always fondly remembered his mom's cooking. He always spoke about the polenta that his mother cooked for the family and about his youth in Trieste. He was a book full of stories that he would vividly share with us.

He will always be remembered by his wife, children, grandchildren and friends.

We will miss you but cherish the moments we had with you.