Filomena SASSO

Florence "Veroche" Julian(nee Filomena Sasso) April 27, 1916 - April 27, 2002 Surrounded by her family, on Saturday, April 27, 2002 on her birthday at age 86 at the Heritage Green Nursing Home. Loving wife of 64 years to Tony. Loving mother of Roseanna and Tony Lavia, Donna and Dan Begin, Jim and Denise. Special Nonnie of Chris and Heather, Laura, Patrick, Tim, Michael, Dana, Max and Monica. Great-grandmother of Justin. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Florence was a founding member and long time parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church. Resting at the FRISCOLANTI FUNERAL CHAPEL, 43 Barton Street East (near James) on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Vigil Prayers on Monday at 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Anthony’s Church on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 at 10 a.m. with Entombment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Our Lady of Victory Mausoleum. Donations would be greatly appreciated by the family to Villa Italia or the charity of your choice. Special thanks to the nurses and caregivers at Heritage Green Nursing Home. A brief HISTORY of our MOTHER Or “Defying the Odds” FLORENCE JULIAN (nee Filomena Sasso) was born on Thursday, April 27, 1916 at home in Toronto, Ontario to Antonio Donato Sasso (Sassi?) and Antonia DeLeonora (Di Eleonora?). Her father, a former widower, was 29 years old and her mother was 21. They had married on January 26, 1914 in Toronto, and a son, Vincenzo, was born in December of that year, but later died of a respiratory problem. He was only 10 days old. Sadly, Antonia also took ill with tuberculosis and passed away in October, 1916 when Florence was only 6 months old. During her mother’s illness, Florence was left in the care of her aunt Maria Carmina DeLeonora (Antonia’s older sister) and her husband Vicenzo (Jimmy) Veroche (Verocchio?) who lived in Hamilton. When Antonio found life difficult on his own, he asked Maria and Jimmy to raise Florence as their own. They had no children, so they happily agreed. Florence thought of him as “Zio Antonio”. When she was 6 years old, “Zio” died of influenza at the age of 35. Florence always thought of Maria and Jimmy as her real parents. She unofficially adopted the name Veroche throughout her single years. Maria and Jimmy were fantastic parents and their affection and sense of humour had a big impact on little Florence. They moved to a two-storey cinder-block house at the corner of Burlington and Birmingham Streets in the Brightside area in the North-East end of Hamilton. It was always full of friends, laughter and good food. At the tender age of 15, Florence’s striking strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes and shapely exterior caught the eye of a handsome 19-year old immigrant named Tony Julian (nee Antonio Ottavio Iuliano). He and a friend were walking along Birmingham Street when he noticed her amongst a group of girls planting flowers in front of a house. A few years later, Tony, as a door-to-door Watkins salesman, built up enough nerve to approach Florence and show off his wares (he gave her some free samples!). After the usual Italian courting and fighting amongst families, they married on June 30th, 1938 at St. Anthony’s Church on Clinton Street. Florence was 22 and Tony was 25. They borrowed a car and honeymooned in Niagara Falls. Tony had just started up a business on his own in roofing and siding. Florence, who always had a flair for numbers, worked as a bookkeeper for a local coal company. She ultimately had a major role in the success of Julian Roofing. When no children were immediately forthcoming, Florence and Tony immersed themselves in the community, in their Church, and helping to raise Tony’s baby sister, Anne (their mother Rosaria died when Anne was only 12 years old). In later years, they spent many hours enjoying their many nieces and nephews. In 1948, they considered adopting a child, but as you know, it never happened. Florence and Tony surprised everyone, including the experts, by getting pregnant that year! Their first child, Roseanna, was born on February 24, 1949 in the 11th year of their marriage. Another daughter, Donna Marie, followed on February 8, 1951, and finally, a son, James, was born on April 21, 1952. Florence’s early life was not without its problems. During her birth, Florence’s right arm was damaged and was never corrected. That explains her left- handedness (we think!). She also needed surgery in later years to correct a problem with her eyes. However, the most traumatic event for the young couple occurred in 1950. Florence was pregnant with Donna when she got word that her husband, Tony, had fallen off a roof and was in serious condition with cracked vertebrae. The prognosis wasn’t good; they predicted he would be paralyzed from the waist down, and that the would never be able to walk. So much for the fledging business and the new car that they had just purchased (Florence never did learn how to drive!). She returned the car to the dealer and prepare for a life in pre-medicare Ontario. Again, in this story of survival and perseverance, and proving the experts wrong, Tony recovered, the business survived and flourished, and they eventually bought another new car. Over the years, her children, her grandchildren and her great grandson brought immense pride and pleasure to Florence. She had infinite energy and always had the time to devote to her precious family, Whether living on Barton St., Cherry Beach, Balsam Ave., Queensdale Ave., Mt. Brow Blvd., or Chert Ave., you could always count on lots of attention, a good meal, and perhaps a game of cards from Nonnie. Florence passed away peacefully on Saturday morning at 5 minutes past 2 AM on her 86th birthday, surrounded by family. At midnight, we sang “Happy Birthday” (badly) to her. The medical experts again were baffled by her strength and perseverance. Florence was generally unwell for the last 7 years of her life, but she was a fighter right to the end. She was never without the love and care (and homemade soup) of her beloved Tony, her family and her friends. We were all touched by her compassion, her unique sense of humour, her excellent cooking, and her will to surmount all of life’s hurdles. We believe that the world is a much better place thanks to her… She will always be in our thoughts.