Passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Guelph on Friday, February 10, 2017, in his 84th year. Lorenzo was the loved father of six children and is survived by the mother of his children, Maria Di Gravio and by Nick, Olivia Derkach (Stephen), Sabrina Grant (Cory), Gloria Hurtado (Manuel) and Luke. He was predeceased by his daughter, the late Jessica Hershey. He was a cherished and loving nonno to four grandchildren; Isabella, Zackary, Ava and Asher. He will be missed by his surviving siblings; Benito, Maria and Lucia and extended family. Born in a small Abruzzi village in Italy to a large family, he immigrated to Canada in the early 1960’s and was known for his love of reading, tinkering at his workbench in the family garage, and his frequent walks around the neighborhood. There were no strangers with papa and he always enjoyed exchanging lively conversation at the kitchen table over a glass of his homemade wine.
Friends will be received at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 1-3 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Reception to follow in the Wall-Custance Family Reception Centre. Memorial contributions to the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation or Groves Memorial Hospital would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of Lorenzo D. Di Gravio in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 2:30 pm.