Obituary of Maria Pezzaniti
It is with profound sadness that we share that Maria Pezzaniti (neé Sgambelluri) passed away on May 21, 2026 at Newmarket at the age of 95. She was born February 7, 1931 in Siderno, Italy and a few years after marrying her husband, Giuseppe Pezzaniti, she immigrated to Toronto, Canada. She spent most of her life tending to their family’s farm in Bradford, Ontario with her six children, and in her later years minding the Farm Market. Known for her unwavering loyalty and love for her family, and her fierce determination to persevere through any challenge, Maria was the epitome of the family’s matriarch. Nothing brought her more joy than feeding the people she loved, filling her home with laughter, conversations, and the warmth that made everyone feel welcome.
Maria is predeceased by her husband, Giuseppe Pezzaniti. Maria’s love lives on through her devoted children: Ray Pezzaniti (Cindy); Tony Pezzaniti; Annita Crupi (Pierino); Rosemarie Crupi (Gino); Frank Pezzaniti (Nancy); and Lucy Yesanko (Robert).
She was the proud grandmother of April Townsend (David), Christina Pottie (Brandon), David Pezzaniti (Kathryn), Matthew Pezzaniti, Vincenzo Crupi (Andrea), Marissa Cacciottolo (Robert), Juliana Competiello (Anthony), Caterina Karamis(James), Anna Ortino (Frank), Vincenzo Crupi (Effie), Clayton Pezzaniti (Laura), Dallas Pezzaniti, and Michael Meddick.
Maria was further blessed with many great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to her life: Andrew and Julia Townsend; Kaitlyn, Lauren, Madison, and Jaclyn Pottie; Grace, Joy and Faith Pezzaniti; Santino and Alessandro Crupi; Leo Cacciottolo; Oliver, Alex and Marquesa ; Gianluca Kouramanis; Julian and Adrian Ortino; Angelo Crupi; and Maverick and Rory Pezzaniti.
Visitation will be held at Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Road, Bradford on Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at the Holy Martyrs of Japan Church, 167 Essa Street, Bradford on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 2 p.m. Interment to follow at Holy Martyrs of Japan Cemetery, Bradford.
In Maria's memory, donations may be made to the Southlake Health Foundation.