It is with broken hearts that the
family of the Late Leo Giovannini (Bud) announces his
passing. Leo passed peacefully away on Sunday, September 15,
2019 at the US Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence, aged 88. He was
predeceased by his wife Rita, his parents Peter Gregory and Ethel, and
his siblings, Sr. Mary Julian, Greg, Ethel, Celestine, Ferdinand,
Julian, Gug, Rico, and Carmel.
Bud leaves behind 10 children:
Dolores Kean (Baxter), Jim (Turid), Sue (Ceci), Bob (Alana), Brian,
Patti (Michael), Joy Piepjohn (Manfred), Paula (Andy), Karen (Rudy)
and Kathy; 22 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, who brought
great joy to his later years. He also leaves his dear sisters Margaret
McDonald and Mary Jackman, brother-in-law Vincent McDonald,
sister-in-law Theresa Giovannini, and many devoted nieces and
nephews.
Born in St. Lawrence, Bud married
Rita (Fitzpatrick), a very capable woman who would help him develop
his business dreams. He had started in sales in Toronto, then worked
as a mechanic at the St. Lawrence mine while he and Rita had a family
of ten children. He built his own garage in the mid 50s, which grew
into a full-service station and used car lot. Through the 70s and 80s
he and Rita developed a night club and hotel, which became
entertainment and hospitality central in St. Lawrence. The Ocean View
Hotel (and Bud’s) thrives to this day, now owned by son Bob
and his wife Alana. Bud returned to sales in his later years,
travelling every corner of Newfoundland as an auto parts salesman with
Royal Garage, and winning national sales awards. He also set sales
records in high-stakes tickets for charities at the St.
John’s malls. He was a charming and very funny man whose
unique sense of humour lifted many a person’s day, and
brought good sales returns. Bud was a generous supporter of the St.
Lawrence Laurentians and other sports teams, and he served as a
regional organizer for the PC party for many years. He was a devoted
visitor to anyone sick or in hospital, and he always made time to call
and visit his friends, lighting up their day with his upbeat tone and
crazy humour. He will be sadly missed.
Cremation has taken
place.
Visitation will be held at St.
Thomas Aquinas Church in St. Lawrence on Friday, Sept 20 from 2 to 5
pm and prayer vigil at 7 pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday, September 21 at
10:30 am.
Donations in Leo’s memory can be
made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, St. Lawrence or to his niece CeAnne
Giovannini, Team CeAnne, fighting stage 4 colon cancer:
ceanne55@gmail.com Flowers are also gratefully accepted.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of LEO ROBERT GIOVANNINI..
Death notice for the town of: Marystown, Province: T-N