Information/Write-up
Cosimo James “Filane” Figliomeni (January 25, 1939 – December 19, 2025) was a Canadian singer, entertainer, entrepreneur, author, and community leader whose life and work were deeply rooted in Schreiber, Ontario. Known professionally as Cosimo Filane, he became a widely respected figure in Northwestern Ontario through a rare combination of music, business leadership, and lifelong community service.
Born in Port Arthur, Ontario, to Edith and Domenic Figliomeni, Cosimo spent most of his life in Schreiber, a remote railway town on the north shore of Lake Superior. Raised in a close-knit community long defined by isolation and self-reliance, Filane developed a strong sense of loyalty to place that would guide his entire life. At age eighteen, he left home for Toronto to pursue a career in singing and acting.
During this period, he adopted the stage name Cosimo Filane, formed by combining the first syllable of his family name with the surname of his favourite singer, Frankie Laine. What began as a professional alias soon became a lifelong identity, both artistically and publicly.
Filane’s recording career began in the mid-1960s. His debut album, Small Town Boy (1966), recorded in London, England, established his polished pop vocal style and introduced a persona rooted in sincerity and approachability. Over the course of his career, he released six albums, recorded in Toronto and the United States, with releases spanning more than five decades. Several of his songs received national airplay, including appearances on the CHUM Charts, most notably the single “My Girl,” which reached #43. His final album, Forget About It! (2020), marked the close of a long and sustained recording life.
Beyond music, Filane was recognized nationally for his entrepreneurial and civic contributions. He appeared on CBC’s A Scattering of Seeds (1999), a documentary series profiling Canadian entrepreneurs, and later on CBC’s Personal Best (2002). Together with his family, he operated numerous businesses in Schreiber, including the Cosiana Inn, Fallen Rock Resort, Hollywood Filane Sportswear & Boxing Gym, Filane’s Can-Op & Variety, Filane’s Dollar ’n’ More, Filane’s Food Market, and Filane’s Natural Spring Water, all of which played a significant role in the local economy.
Filane was also deeply committed to minor hockey, a lifelong passion. In response to inequities he observed in youth sports, he founded Fallen Rock Minor Hockey, an organization built to give all players the opportunity to participate and develop. His dedication to amateur hockey earned him recognition as an RBC Regional Hockey Leader in 2009. He later documented his experiences in the book You Can’t Win Them All (1986), a novel inspired by small-town minor hockey culture that received praise from notable Canadian figures.
Cosimo married the love of his life, Diana, in 1966. Together they raised eight children—Domenic, Gerry, Edith, Dean, Salvatore, Shawn, Deana, and Mario—and built a large extended family. He passed away on December 19, 2025, in Terrace Bay, Ontario, at the age of 86, surrounded by family.
Remembered as an entertainer, builder, mentor, and devoted family man, Cosimo Filane’s legacy lives on through his recordings, his writing, his businesses, and the countless lives he touched through music, sport, and community leadership.
-Robert Williston
Musicians
Cosmo Filane: vocals
The Breakaways: backing band
Songwriting
‘Stiamo Sempre Vicini’ written by L. Chiosso, Ray Davies
‘Don’t Ever Change’ written by Ray Davies
‘Orange Peel’ written by Guy Wood
‘The Door Is Still Open’ written by Chuck Willis
‘Down By The Riverside’ written by Dazz Jordan
‘King of the Road’ written by Roger Miller
‘No Money’ written by Al Rain
‘Small Town Boy’ written by Al Rain
‘Lazy Mary’ written by Leonard, Lewis, Gentes
‘Send Flowers’ written by Larry Sturino
‘Indian Love Call’ written by Harbach, Hammerstein, Friml
‘Enjoy Yourself’ written by Magidson, Sigman
Production
Arranged and conducted by Art Snider
Recorded in London, England
Liner notes
Cosmo Filane really IS a “small town boy”! He was born at the “Lakehead”, Port Arthur, to be exact. The family, shortly after, moved to Schreiber, a small rail centre on the rocky, rugged north shore of Lake Superior about a hundred and fifty miles East of where he was born. Until very recent years, there was NO road from the Schreiber area connecting to the East (Sault Ste. Marie). Schreiber Ontario IS a small town and that makes Cos’ a real “small town boy”.
About seven years ago, Cosmo came to Toronto because he wanted to get into Show-Biz! It’s a hackneyed phrase but it’s the most important thing in the world for youngsters that want it.
With surprising little academic training Cos’ smashed right into the middle of things. In a comparatively short space of time he had several CBC radio and shows to his credit as well as a part in one of Canada’s only full length movies. Then he decided to make singing a career.
That in itself is a story worth telling. When Cos’ came to me I was a vocal coach with my own dreams of “Canadian talent for Canadians”. Cos’ was in the right place at the right time. The only trouble was that he was almost tone deaf. It was with great difficulty that Cos’ could tell up from down, never mind landing on the right note… Well, several thousand songs later, (with the aid of Dave Thomas, C.B.C.’s star builder), we started to put together a HIT RECORD. And a HIT RECORD we got. It was a “mild” hit, but it got on most of the charts across the country and sold in the thousands. Why? Well, mostly because of Cosmo’s personality. When you listen to this album you’ll understand just what I mean.
I predict that COSMO FILANE, Small Town Boy is going to be a star. He’s got that certain magic! The rest is a matter of time, good luck, and good judgement. This album is a milestone to the project. It was recorded in London England. You’ve heard the musicians and singers many times before. They’ve belted home many a hit for people like Petula Clark, Tom Jones, and the Bachelors to name a few. On this LP they do their share to help provide 30 minutes of pure enjoyment.
The selection of songs represents the combined effort of both Cos’ and myself – but enough chatter, time to stop reading and start listening to the fabulous COSMO FILANE, “Small Town Boy”!
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