John D’ Antonio
July 23, 1941- April 23, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of John D’Antonio on April 23, 2020. After several months of declining health, John passed away peacefully in his sleep at Humber River Hospital, at the age of 78. Son of Rocco and Grazietta D’Antonio. Devoted husband of 54 years to Josephine. Cherished father to Grace (Domenic), Teresa (Michael) and Rocky (Dina). Adored nonno to Alexander, Austin, Julia, Connor, Ethan and Jordan.
During this unprecedented Circumstance surrounding this global issue, it is with very heavy hearts that our family has made the difficult decision to hold a private funeral with our immediate family. The funeral service will be held on April 25th, 2020 and will be able to be live streamed in our visitation room. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of John D’Antonio be directed to “The Kidney Foundation of Canada” or “The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada”.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to everyone’s strength and understanding during this time.
Eulogy of John D’Antonio
My name is Teresa Abballe, my loving father’s middle child. I am very blessed to have had John as my father who was the second child of Rocco and Grazietta D’Antonio. It is comforting knowing that my father passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 78. Grace, Rocky and I are blessed to have talked to him on facetime the day prior to his passing. My father’s last words were, “I love you, please take care of mamma and remember to stay united as a family”.
My father came to Canada at the age of 17 to fulfill his ‘Canadian Dream’ of becoming a hardworking electrician, finding a soulmate and starting a family. At the age of 24, he married my mother, the love of his life and his best friend. He adored my mom and always treated her like a Queen. For 54 years my parents shared everything life had to offer. They were inseparable and were a great team supporting each other in every way. There was not a decision my father made without the consent from my mother.
My father retired at the young age of 62. His golden years were spent travelling around the world with my mother. He enjoyed travelling to Italy to visit his family, sunbathing at La Rocca beach and enjoying the winter months in Acapulco with his friends. My father was known to have a “green thumb”, spending countless hours pouring his love into his beautiful garden, perfecting his trees, plants, and grape vines. It gave him great joy to spread his love by giving baskets of his fresh produce to his family and neighbours.
My father’s love was unconditional, and this is something we will cherish from his character. His kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. My father will forever be remembered as a strong-willed, hardworking, caring, kind and loving husband, father and nonno to his children; Grace, Teresa and Rocky and his six grandchildren; Alexander, Austin, Julia, Connor, Ethan and Jordan.
I am humbled by my mother’s strength over the past few days and her ability to focus on the amazing life she shared with my father, not dwelling on what she lost. I hope that through his passing we can gain strength from her and be there for her whenever needed.
Thank you Papa for being the handyman around my house; installing my light fixtures, pruning my shrubs, replanting my urns, taking me to doctor appointments and putting up my Christmas tree year after year. My beautiful memories with my father will keep his spirit alive.
Although we are deeply saddened by our loss, we find comfort knowing you are reunited with your parents, siblings and all the angels and saints in Heaven. Rest in Peace Papa. You will be forever in our hearts and prayers. We love you…