It is great sadness we announce the passing of our dear father and grandfather Sebastiano “Sam” Barone.
Sam was born and raised in Sardinia, Italy in a family of six children. When he was 18, he left his family to join the army and remained until the end of the war. He worked in the coal mines in Belgium until he made enough money to find passage to Canada. He continued west until he arrived in New Westminster, BC in 1955. He loved Canada so much he quickly relinquished his Italian citizenship and became a Canadian in 1957. On a trip to Sardinia in 1958 to visit family, he met and married Lucia Mameli, and they returned to Canada to start their family. He was a dedicated employee of MacMillan Bloedel where he worked for over 30 years as a press operator. Sam was an avid reader and taught himself english by reading hundreds of books, including the entire Encyclopedia Britannica from A to Z. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and could always be found with a history book in his hand or watching his favourite sports on tv. Sam was predeceased by his sons Joseph Barone in 1963, and John Anthony Barone in 1983. He leaves to mourn his wife of 62 years Lucia Barone, son Gary (Catherine) and daughter Fran (Terry), grandchildren Anthony (Rebecca), Daniel, Jacob (Sara), Alexander and Estella, great- grandson Easton, brother Vincenzo (Marie-Angela) and many other relatives.
We will all miss you “Babbu”!