Giacomo Crosilla
January 21, 1935 – September 04, 2020
Giacomo (Jack) Crosilla
January 21, 1935 – September 4, 2020
Born in Liariis, a mountain village in northern Italy, Jack passed away peacefully in Oakville with his devoted wife Pasqua at his side. He leaves behind his daughter, Luisa (Greg), and 8 grandchildren: Monica (Shawn), Christine (Andrew), Ted (Jenna), Andrea, Maria (Brandon), David (Payton), John and Ava. He was predeceased by his first wife, Silvana, and his siblings Anna, Agostino, Catina and Toni.
Jack immigrated to Canada in 1954 when only 19 years old determined to make a new and better life for himself. In 1956, he settled in Ottawa where he made lifelong friends, met and married Silvana, and became a father.
In 1965, Jack bought the house where he lived for 53 years without even setting foot inside and moved his family to Oakville after taking a job with Bot Construction. Jack was a heavy equipment mechanic who could fix and make anything. His memories of repairing equipment and running the stone crusher in remote northern Ontario and James Bay stayed with him throughout his later years while living with dementia.
In 1983, Silvana passed away. However, Cupid struck again and Jack married the second love of his life, Pasqua. He was welcomed into the Piasentin family and enjoyed teasing his new nieces and nephews. Jack had a great deal of respect for his elders and enjoyed helping his in-laws, welcoming his mother-in-law Nella in her later years into his and Pasqua’s home.
Jack joined the Fogolar country club, where he spent many hours on maintenance, and playing bocce and cards. Jack and Pasqua made several trips back to Italy to visit their friends and families.
Jack’s passion was fishing. He spent much of his vacation time on the water at his cottage on Lac Pemichangan in Quebec. After retiring and selling his cottage, Jack purchased a 26-foot Sea Ray fishing boat, the Canada Goose. When not running charters or fishing with Pasqua and family and friends, Jack enjoyed napping on the boat and sharing stories with his fishing buddies at Bronte Harbour.
Jack was proud of his grandchildren. Although he acted tough with them, they knew that their nonno loved them dearly even when he wagged his finger at them. He shared his values of hard work, integrity, loyalty and generosity through his stories about his childhood, immigrant experience and life in Canada. He created memories with them when they went for sleepovers at his cottage; let them drive the snowmobile and four wheeler; took them to the club for picnics and swimming; picked them up at university to enjoy dinner cooked by nonna; and, of course, woke them up at 6 a.m. to GO FISHING.
Jack was a man with definite opinions, a strong personality and a streak of stubbornness. But his heart of gold, loyalty and willingness to help led him to make friends wherever he went. Our family would like to thank you for the friendship and support you showed him throughout his life.
Thank you also to all those who helped care for Jack in recent years, especially the staff at West Oak Village Long Term Care Home.
As Pasqua said to him, “Your work is done. It’s time to rest.”
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
SERVICES
Funeral Service
Thursday, September 10, 2020
10:30 AM
St. James Roman Catholic Church
231 Morden Road
Oakville, Ontario L6K2S2
January 21 1935 September 04 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Giacomo Crosilla January 21 1935 September 04 2020..
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home
Décès pour la Ville: Oakville, Province: Ontario