Cosimo Vincenzo Gagliardi

 March 14, 1952 – August 15, 2022

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness, that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved Cosimo Vincenzo - “Vince” - Gagliardi on August 15th, 2022, after a difficult battle with brain cancer. At 8:05pm, Vince courageously took his last breath, in his home, with his loving family beside him. 

It has been a long and arduous journey since Vince was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma in January; and while he fought his terrible illness with everything he had, there is much solace in the fact that he is at peace and is no longer suffering. There is comfort in knowing that Vince has been reunited in heaven with his parents and father-in-law, and that he is probably already up to no good with his dear cousin, Tony.

Vince was the most selfless husband, father, brother, Zio and friend. Predeceased by his parents Giuseppe and Concetta (nee Roti), Vince leaves behind his wife, Rose (nee Rosso), whom he loved for 35 years, his cherished children, Connie and Alessandra, and treasured son-in-law, Spyros Stergiotis. He is survived by his dear mother-in-law Elvira (Francesco, pre-deceased), and he will be sorely missed by his siblings Francesco (Amy), Vito (Angelina) and Rosina (Domenico Napolitano), as well as his brother-in-law Dominic Rosso (Jodi) and sister-in-law Teresa (Joseph Belcastro). All of Vince’s nieces, nephews, cousins, paesani and friends around the world will fondly remember and lovingly miss his playful jokes and pranks and endless teasing.  

Vince was always proud of where he came: Simbario, Calabria, Italy. He was partly raised in Nilvange, France; but after the sudden death of his father, Vince returned to Italy to attend the seminary in Squillace in 1964 until his immigration to Toronto, Canada in 1968 at the age of 16. There he attended Central Technical School, graduated from Central Commerce, and went on to study at the University of Toronto. In 2017, Vince retired from a 35-year long career at the Ontario Food Terminal, where he made many friends and played many pranks. Vince enjoyed his few years of retirement playing cards and rounds of bocce at the Amesbury Community Centre.

Connie and Alessandra will forever remember their father for his fly-zapping skills, his love for AC Milan, his ability to “jimmy” and fix just about anything in his own way, and his dedication to keeping Queens Drive squirrel- and racoon-free. They will always remember the last Gagliardi family trip, when Vince visited Palestine and wore Italy sportswear all over the Holy Land. And the memory of Vince’s excitement and happiness after the Azzurri Euro Cup 2021 victory is how they will always remember their father.

There were few things in life that brought Vince more joy than sharing a joke and spreading laughter. He was a real jokester at heart. Please toast Vince’s memory with a Negroni or shot of Remy Martin, and think of him whenever you see a squirrel or raccoon run by. 

Our lives are greater having had Vince in it. We will forever miss his laughter, humour, quirky sayings, and selfless devotion to his family. We are deeply saddened by his loss and it will be felt for years to come.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Robert Urback, Dr. Jonathan Abrams, Dr. Barbara Millar and Dr. Warren Mason; to all of Vince’s nurses, particularly Denise; and to all of the PSWs - especially Ebenola, Celestina and Benedicta (Benny) - who provided him with truly exceptional care. We would not have been able to wage this fight without your help. 

Visitation will be held at Bernardo Funeral Home (2960 Dufferin Street south of Lawrence Avenue West) on Sunday, August 21, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Fidelis Church (33 Connie Street, Rustic Road, east of Keele Street) on Monday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m.  Entombment to follow at Glendale Memorial Gardens (1810 Albion Road at Hwy. 27)

Mr. Gagliardi's Funeral Mass will be livestreamed via St. Fidelis Church's website. Please click the link below to join.

Funeral Mass Link

Donations in Vince’s memory can be made to the following charities listed below, please click on the desired link to donate.

St. Fidelis Parish  (Please select St. Fidelis Parish from drop-down list)

Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Tumour Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital