In Celebration of
Nicola Follo
October 8, 1941 - January 22, 2026
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Nicola Follo, a loving husband and wonderful father, on January 22, 2026, at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, age 84.
Born October 8, 1941, in Cairo, Egypt, Nicola’s life was shaped by a rich cultural heritage of Italian and Greek roots, a rather strict education by French and Salesian priests, woven into the fabric of daily life lived in an ancient Arab city.
What he first took for granted growing up, later gave him a deep appreciation for language, connection and multiculturalism. He was fluent in Italian, Greek, Arabic, French, and English—and could hold his own in Spanish as well—allowing him to communicate with ease and warmth wherever he went. This is something he was particularly proud of.
As a young adult he left Egypt, to join his brother in Scotland. Soon after, however, he moved to Grado, Italy to join his dad’s extended family, and search for meaningful work. His eagerness to find a job, and his ease with languages presented him the opportunity to work on cargo ships, learning electrical and mechanical skills that would serve him very well for the rest of his life. It also fueled his adventurous spirit, as it brought him to many faraway lands around the world.
In 1965 he met Adriana in Trieste, Italy, while they were both recovering in hospital, proving that you just never know where love will find you. They married, and soon after started their family. The adventures continued, not always all sunshine and roses, but with love.
Eventually, they relocated to Toronto, to join his parents, brother and sister once again, as they had all immigrated to Canada some years earlier.
Nicola had a gift for connecting, making friends and leaving people feeling special and seen. He was always ready to lend a hand or offer support in any way he could. This was especially true when it came to his daughters. Always ready and willing to help them resolve the issues and dream improvements that come with owning their own homes. If they had an idea, he made it happen, but not without expecting their help and teaching them much along the way. He took great pride in details and in a job well done. Priceless gifts from a loving dad. Nicola’s greatest joy was definitely his family. Taking adventurous road trips with Adriana and their daughters, and creating memories together is something they will hold very dear to their hearts forever. Those were the best of times.
And when the grand-daughters came along, well that put a whole new spin on family fun. Nicola truly loved spending time with them. Holidays were especially meaningful. New Year’s Eve parties with the whole gang were epic and something he looked forward to every year. When extended family and friends came together, for picnics and outings - those were the days he loved most, right to the end.
Food and laughter, family stories, shenanigans, always music, and of course singing Bella Ciao together, these are the memories that the whole family will cherish forever.
Nicola is survived by his beloved wife Adriana, his daughters Mary (Rob) and Federica (Marco), his granddaughters Stephanie (Justin), Isabelle, Christina, Tiziana, Juliana, and also Stephanie Amanda (Jeff) and Jennifer. He was so incredibly happy when the great-grandchildren arrived, first Emmett and then Remy.
He will also be dearly missed by his cousins, nieces and nephew, and their families, whom he truly loved and treasured, as well as many friends and wonderful neighbours, some who went above and beyond in the last few months (we are forever grateful).
A very sad kitty, Charlie, is also missing Nicola’s tender love and warm lap.
Nicola is predeceased by his parents Francesco and Fotini; his brother Domenico and sister-in-law Margaret; and his sister Elena and brother-in-law Ferdinand.
Nicola’s legacy is one of connection. He understood its true meaning, and shared it through language and through family.
He was one of a kind, without a doubt, and will live on in our hearts and memories.
A life well lived ❤️ forever loved
Visitation will take place on January 27, 2026, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Turner & Porter Funeral Home, 1981 Dundas St. West, Mississauga.
A Chapel Service will follow at 3:00 PM, with light refreshments served afterwards.
No interment service, cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association or Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga.
Born October 8, 1941, in Cairo, Egypt, Nicola’s life was shaped by a rich cultural heritage of Italian and Greek roots, a rather strict education by French and Salesian priests, woven into the fabric of daily life lived in an ancient Arab city.
What he first took for granted growing up, later gave him a deep appreciation for language, connection and multiculturalism. He was fluent in Italian, Greek, Arabic, French, and English—and could hold his own in Spanish as well—allowing him to communicate with ease and warmth wherever he went. This is something he was particularly proud of.
As a young adult he left Egypt, to join his brother in Scotland. Soon after, however, he moved to Grado, Italy to join his dad’s extended family, and search for meaningful work. His eagerness to find a job, and his ease with languages presented him the opportunity to work on cargo ships, learning electrical and mechanical skills that would serve him very well for the rest of his life. It also fueled his adventurous spirit, as it brought him to many faraway lands around the world.
In 1965 he met Adriana in Trieste, Italy, while they were both recovering in hospital, proving that you just never know where love will find you. They married, and soon after started their family. The adventures continued, not always all sunshine and roses, but with love.
Eventually, they relocated to Toronto, to join his parents, brother and sister once again, as they had all immigrated to Canada some years earlier.
Nicola had a gift for connecting, making friends and leaving people feeling special and seen. He was always ready to lend a hand or offer support in any way he could. This was especially true when it came to his daughters. Always ready and willing to help them resolve the issues and dream improvements that come with owning their own homes. If they had an idea, he made it happen, but not without expecting their help and teaching them much along the way. He took great pride in details and in a job well done. Priceless gifts from a loving dad. Nicola’s greatest joy was definitely his family. Taking adventurous road trips with Adriana and their daughters, and creating memories together is something they will hold very dear to their hearts forever. Those were the best of times.
And when the grand-daughters came along, well that put a whole new spin on family fun. Nicola truly loved spending time with them. Holidays were especially meaningful. New Year’s Eve parties with the whole gang were epic and something he looked forward to every year. When extended family and friends came together, for picnics and outings - those were the days he loved most, right to the end.
Food and laughter, family stories, shenanigans, always music, and of course singing Bella Ciao together, these are the memories that the whole family will cherish forever.
Nicola is survived by his beloved wife Adriana, his daughters Mary (Rob) and Federica (Marco), his granddaughters Stephanie (Justin), Isabelle, Christina, Tiziana, Juliana, and also Stephanie Amanda (Jeff) and Jennifer. He was so incredibly happy when the great-grandchildren arrived, first Emmett and then Remy.
He will also be dearly missed by his cousins, nieces and nephew, and their families, whom he truly loved and treasured, as well as many friends and wonderful neighbours, some who went above and beyond in the last few months (we are forever grateful).
A very sad kitty, Charlie, is also missing Nicola’s tender love and warm lap.
Nicola is predeceased by his parents Francesco and Fotini; his brother Domenico and sister-in-law Margaret; and his sister Elena and brother-in-law Ferdinand.
Nicola’s legacy is one of connection. He understood its true meaning, and shared it through language and through family.
He was one of a kind, without a doubt, and will live on in our hearts and memories.
A life well lived ❤️ forever loved
Visitation will take place on January 27, 2026, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Turner & Porter Funeral Home, 1981 Dundas St. West, Mississauga.
A Chapel Service will follow at 3:00 PM, with light refreshments served afterwards.
No interment service, cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association or Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga.
Funeral Details
Show location:
Visitation
Turner & Porter - Neweduk - Erin Mills Chapel
1981 Dundas St. West, Mississauga, ON, L5K 1R2
Get Directions
Tuesday, 27 Jan 2026 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Chapel Service
Turner & Porter - Neweduk - Erin Mills Chapel
1981 Dundas St. West, Mississauga, ON, L5K 1R2
Get Directions
Tuesday, 27 Jan 2026 3:00 PM