Obituary for Girolamo Di Rosa
Girolamo “Gerry” Di Rosa was born in Torre del Greco, Italy, on September 8, 1938. The eldest son of eight children from a very modest family, he was expected to start work early and to be a provider for his younger siblings. Despite family and societal pressures, Girolamo insisted on continuing his education. He completed his secondary school education, training to be a teacher, then attended the University of Naples, where he studied languages. He was not able to complete his degree, although he did occasionally teach and work as a tutor. As a young adult he began working with local coral manufacturers, a decision that would set the course for his career as a jewellery entrepreneur. He met his future wife, Maria Raffaella “Pupetta” Cuccaro, in the early 1960s. The two were married on April 13, 1967, and they had two children, Lucia (Lucy) and Elena. In the early 1970s, they decided to leave Italy to pursue better opportunities for their young family. On November 3, 1973, they moved to Toronto, where they founded a wholesale jewellery business, Italian Jewellery Imports. The two worked side by side while raising their young family and also caring for Maria’s elderly mother.
In the 1980s, Girolamo and family would spend a brief period of time living in Italy, and then returned in 1988. He and Maria began a new business venture, Blue Point jewellers, a family-run operation which continues to operate today. As his work life wound down, he helped care for his only granddaughter, Isabella, and became primary caregiver to his wife, Maria, who gradually lost her eyesight, mobility, and developed dementia. Until his final days, he continued to care for Maria and to make sacrifices for his beloved family. He passed away on January 8, 2021, while battling COVID-19 and complications from surgery.
Girolamo leaves behind his two daughters, Lucy Di Rosa and Elena Cortesi, a son-in-law, David Cortesi, one granddaughter, Isabella Cortesi, and a large network of family and friends in North America and Europe.
In lieu of flowers donations in memory Girolamo may be made to Diabetes Canada.
Private visitations will take place at the Vescio Funeral Home Woodbridge Chapel (8101 Weston Rd. 905-850-3332) Wednesday January 27, 2021 from 10:15 a.m. which will be live-streamed. If you choose to virtually participate in the funeral service which will also be live-streamed, it will commence at 11:00am. Private family entombment to follow.
Online Condolences at: www.vesciofuneralhome.com
To view the live stream from your computer, click the “photos and video tab”, scroll down until you see watch the webcast link. From your cell phone scroll down until you see watch the webcast link.
In the 1980s, Girolamo and family would spend a brief period of time living in Italy, and then returned in 1988. He and Maria began a new business venture, Blue Point jewellers, a family-run operation which continues to operate today. As his work life wound down, he helped care for his only granddaughter, Isabella, and became primary caregiver to his wife, Maria, who gradually lost her eyesight, mobility, and developed dementia. Until his final days, he continued to care for Maria and to make sacrifices for his beloved family. He passed away on January 8, 2021, while battling COVID-19 and complications from surgery.
Girolamo leaves behind his two daughters, Lucy Di Rosa and Elena Cortesi, a son-in-law, David Cortesi, one granddaughter, Isabella Cortesi, and a large network of family and friends in North America and Europe.
In lieu of flowers donations in memory Girolamo may be made to Diabetes Canada.
Private visitations will take place at the Vescio Funeral Home Woodbridge Chapel (8101 Weston Rd. 905-850-3332) Wednesday January 27, 2021 from 10:15 a.m. which will be live-streamed. If you choose to virtually participate in the funeral service which will also be live-streamed, it will commence at 11:00am. Private family entombment to follow.
Online Condolences at: www.vesciofuneralhome.com
To view the live stream from your computer, click the “photos and video tab”, scroll down until you see watch the webcast link. From your cell phone scroll down until you see watch the webcast link.