Giovanni B. Flumian's Obituary
Giovanni B. Flumian passed away peacefully at home on March 30, 2016. He was born March 5, 1923 in Pasiano, Italy, the son of Vittorio Flumian and Libera Casonato. He was the sixth of five sisters and three brothers. He loved music and the violin. He began his life long journey with the violin at the age of eleven. At age thirteen he was enrolled at Udine’s Benedetto Marcello Conservatory until age nineteen when he was called to join the Italian Army. During World War II he served on the Italian/Yugoslav border until the Italian capitulation at which point he entered a German forced labor camp. He stayed there three years. After returning home he searched for work in various European countries without success. He then set his eyes on South America and found work in Argentina. He left Argentina as the seeds of the revolution were being planted and returned to Italy. In 1953 he immigrated to Canada after marrying his love Tersilla. She joined him in Chatham, Ontario in 1954. He was a barber and played with the Windsor Symphony and Detroit Center Symphony Orchestras. In 1965 the family immigrated to San Diego so he could continue his musical career with the San Diego Symphony and Opera Orchestras. After a few years he opened Flumian’s Barbershop in La Mesa. He was an active member of the La Mesa Rotary, and a member of the Musicians and Barber’s unions. After retiring he continued his love of playing the violin with the USD orchestra and string quartet with friends. He also continued to cut hair for his special friends and family in a barber’s chair at the house. He loved gardening and all enjoyed sharing his grapes, figs and vegetables. He loved going on fishing trips with his wife. He is survived by his wife Tersilla, a brother Angelo, a sister Santa Zanese, two sons Joseph and Michael, a daughter-in-law Moira McGrain, seven grandchildren John, Julia, Katya, Fiona, Andrei, Liam and Massimo, one great-granddaughter Alexandra, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation Tuesday April 5th, 2016 from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park, Salli Lynn Chapel, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113. We will pray a rosary 6 pm. Funeral mass Wednesday April 6th at 10:00 am will be celebrated at the Immaculata on the USD campus, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110. Light refreshments will follow. Burial Wednesday April 6th at 1:30 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park. Please give donations to Father Joe’s Village in lieu of flowers.
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