GABRIELE, Matteo

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Matteo Gabriele on May 22nd, 2022 in Toronto at 94 years old.  Beloved husband to Elisa (nee Pelino).  Cherished by his children, Ettore (Diane), Peter (Franca), Maria (Philip) and Teresa. Proud grandpa of Amanda (Shayne), Victoria, Matthew, Nicholas, Julia, Austin, Calum, Amelia and “bignonno" to Jax and Easton.  Matteo will be missed by his nieces, Maria (Rein), the late Maria, Anna (Tom) and Emilia (Ted).  Matteo is now re-united in heaven with his siblings Nicola, Laura (a.k.a. Dina) Mascioli (nee Gabriele) and husband Guido.

Matteo was born in Popoli in 1928 to a young mother whom he adored. From childhood he was always working. At 14 during WW2, he rode the roofs of trains to trade goods to survive. But long before, at age 8, he learned to be a carpenter working in his father’s shop – a skilled trade he would bring to Canada to help build many iconic Toronto structures that still endure today such as Ontario Place, Toronto Island’s Centerville, the St. Lawrence Market, several Toronto subway stations, and hundreds more. He met the partner of his life, Elisa, on a festival day in Pacentro and they stayed true to each other for 69 years. Through thick and thin, they sacrificed for, and rejoiced with, their children, grand-children and great-grand-children. The only holiday was to see family, the only gift was to see family, the only reason to live was for family – a love and a life that has no precedent.

Visitation(s) will be held at the Bernardo Funeral Home (2960 Dufferin Street, Toronto) on Wednesday, May 25th from 6-8 p.m. & Thursday, May 26th from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.  Friends and family are welcome to attend.  Mask use is encouraged while attending the Funeral Home.  Funeral Mass will take place inside St. Charles Borromeo Church (811 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto) on Friday, May 27th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.  For those unable to atend the mass in person, it will be available via livestream. Please click here to join.  Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery (8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill.)  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Villa Charities or the Heart & Stroke Foundation in memory of Matteo Gabriele.

Villa Charities: https://villacharities.akaraisin.com/ui/donationform

Heart & Stroke Foundations: https://secure-support.heartandstroke.ca/site/SPageServer?pagename=DMDonationForm&s_locale=en_CA&s_fT=cont&s_pres=hsweb&s_cscid=hsweb_nav&_ga=2.4040886.788741963.1653309857-2070590846.1626726356