Francesco Mangiardi, of Toronto, Ontario passed away on May 17^th, 2023 – one day shy of his 88^th birthday - at Toronto General Hospital, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born in Serra San Bruno, Calabria, Italy, on May 18^th, 1935, son of the late Giuseppe and Giuseppina Mangiardi.  Francesco is survived by his wife, Maria. He is also preceded in death by his sisters Teresa and Caterina, his father-in-law Domenico, his mother-in-law Rosa, his brothers-in-law Saverio (USA) and Domenico (Italy), and his sisters-in-law Anna (Italy) and Caterina (Italy). Francesco is also survived by his brothers Vincenzo (Francesca), Antonio (Maria), and Maria (Bruno). He is also lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews Joe (Angela),  Anna (Eddie), Sam (Stephanie), Louie (Emma), Giuseppe,  Assunta (Andre),  Angelo (Fatima),  Pina (Andrew), many other nieces and nephews in both the United States and Italy, and a large group of great-nieces and nephews.

 He married Maria, the love of his life, on February 4^th, 1962, and they both immigrated to Canada in October, 1966, in search of a better life together along with family. From his first days in Canada, Francesco embodied the typical immigrant values of hard work and entrepreneurship. Initially, he worked for a variety of grocery and construction companies in progressively senior roles. In 1979, he fulfilled his dream of starting his own construction company, Melrose Paving. Over the next few years, his brothers Vincenzo and Antonio joined him as the company continued to grow. From its humble beginnings of four employees and a handful of equipment, Melrose Paving grew over the years to become one of the Greater Toronto Area’s largest asphalt, concrete, site work and municipal snow plowing contractors. Along with the company’s continued growth, Francesco was very proud to see the next generation of family join the business and take over its leadership (Joe, Louie and Angelo).  Although Francesco and Maria were not blessed with children of their own, they were surrounded by 8 nieces and nephews that they treated as their very own.

 While Francesco worked tirelessly to make Melrose Paving successful, when he wasn’t working, he was known by friends, family and associates as a vivacious, smiling and friendly man who was always ready with a story.  If he wasn’t at work, you would mostly likely find him sitting in the stands at Woodbine Racetrack, near the finish line. Upon entering the seating area, he would let out his famous unique whistle – both signifying his arrival and calling out to the friends or family that may have already been there. It wasn’t uncommon for Francesco to befriend a complete stranger at the track who may have been sitting or standing near him.  Within 5 minutes, they would be comparing racing notes, exchanging stories of work and family, and enjoying each other’s company.  By the end of the afternoon, they would have felt as if they had known Francesco for years. 

 The family would like to thank his family physician Dr. Michael Panturescu for his countless years of compassionate care, as well as his surgeon Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku, his oncologist Dr. Penelope Bradbury, his palliative physician Dr. Keith Johnstone, and all the staff and nurses at both Princess Margaret Hospital and 6 Eaton South at Toronto General Hospital.

 Of special note, the family is eternally grateful for the round-the-clock care provided by family member Nancy Halupa, during the final weeks of Francesco’s life.  A registered nurse, Nancy’s supportive care helped bring a sense of calm and understanding to the challenges Francesco, and his wife Maria, were facing.

 Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 20^th, at 10 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Etobicoke.  Visitations will be held on Friday, May 19^th at 3 - 5 p.m. and 6 - 9 p.m. at G. H. Hogle Funeral Home in Etobicoke.

 Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.