Antonino Aguanno
November 1, 1925 – December 18, 2020
Peacefully at Villa Colombo, Toronto, on December 18, 2020 at the age of 95, God reached out and received his spirit. He now joins his wife Maria (nee Cappello) with our Lord.
He will be sadly missed by his 7 children and their families. Jim (Julie), Salvatore (Marisa), Vita (James) Hurley, Ross (Evie), Joseph (Cris), John (Cheryl) and Caterina (Ray) Cormier. His 16 grandchildren, Alexander, Violet (Joseph) Carpio, Anthony (Jessika), Daniella, Clint, Glenn, Kellie, Nicholas, Daniel, Angelina, Richard, Sebastian, Liana, Tony, Cecilia and Rocco and his 2 great-grandchildren Aurelio and Jericho are sure that their Nonno will watch over them.
Antonino was predeceased by his 5 siblings. Antonietta (Giuseppe) Spatafora, Erasmo (Ida), Giovanni (Rosa), Vincenzo (Santina), Frank (Antonietta). Antonino is fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, PSW’s and support staff of Villa Colombo – 2nd Floor Fidani Wing for their excellent care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, in memory of Antonino, donations may be made to Villa Charities www.villacharities.com/antoninoaguanno
Due to Covid 19 restrictions there will be a private funeral service on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm. Click on the link below to view the service.
Memories of Antonino
Antonino left his hometown, Vita, Italy, for Canada in 1953 as a young man looking for better opportunities. He made Toronto his new home and began working the very next day after arriving. Soon after he attended night school to learn to speak, read and write English, a skill that would serve him well. In the next few years, he worked in various jobs and quickly saved enough to buy his first car.
In 1957 he was joined in Canada by his fiancé Maria and they were married 2 months later on September 25. Their first child was born 2 years later followed by 6 more over the next 12 years. Antonino regularly worked 10-hour days to support his growing family and loved every moment of it. He became a self-taught carpenter in the days when the only way to work with a 2 by 4 was a handsaw and a hammer. He would boast “you only need to hit the nail 3 times, once to set it, once to drive it in and once more to set it flush”. He prided himself in building perfectly plumb walls and doorways and perfectly pitched roofs “by eye”. His pride for his work allowed him to work long hours spring, summer, fall and winter.
His wife Maria made sure the kids had a light snack after school so the whole family would be able to enjoy dinner together with Antonino after his long workdays on the construction site. After dinner he still had the energy to help the children with homework and he particularly enjoyed when the children practiced their reading. He encouraged his children to understand the value of education and attended every parent-teacher interview.
Summertime was particularly fun as Sunday afternoons would be picnic day at nearby Taylor Creek Park, where he would run and play soccer with the kids. And the highlight of most summers would be the family one-day “vacation” to Niagara Falls.
Even in his modest home in East York area of Toronto with a large family, he still offered his house as a steppingstone for relatives to stay as they immigrated to Canada. With his English skills, he helped them apply for jobs, set up bank accounts and find homes. On Saturdays, his day off, he regularly helped a relative or friend fix their front porch, build a backyard shed or mix cement to build walkways. After building a friend’s shed, he typically stood back, proud of his accomplishment, and would exclaim “you know, that shed is never going to fall down”.
He was extremely proud of all his children as they all grew up and took their turn getting married and starting their own families. He welcomed every daughter-in-law and son-in-law into the family and expressed great joy at each grandchild’s birth – all sixteen of them, and 2 great-grand children. Antonino loved to dance and was so delighted that he had the opportunity to dance at the 2 grandchildren’s weddings that have married.
Antonino retired from his carpentry career at 65 but continued his “backyard shed” building for many years. He helped each of his kids renovate their basements or other parts of their homes. Antonino did not put down his carpentry hammer until well into his 80’s. One year he gathered all his sons, sons-in-law and a few of the older grandsons and told them he needed some help to replace the roof on his house. Well they all showed up to work a long day, but the one who did the most work, climbed up and down the ladder carrying the most shingles was 80-year old Antonino.
It was evident that Antonino’s main love was his family. He also enjoyed growing his vegetable garden. He was able to grow so many tomatoes, zucchini and green beans in that tiny backyard garden and then later in the local community garden. When his children married and bought their homes, he would plant their vegetable gardens too.
Although Antonino lost his beloved wife, Maria, much too early, he managed to be self-sufficient for many years after. His 70’s and early 80’s saw him vacation in Cuba a few times and also drive to Florida for a friend’s anniversary. However, in 2011, at 86 years old he decided to sell the family home that he and Maria had purchased in 1962 saying that it was becoming too much work. He moved to a one-bedroom apartment that was much easier to maintain, and that gave him more time to visit his beloved grandchildren, each one his favourite in a special way. At age 90 he passed his mandatory driving test and kept driving for 2 more years. He loved driving, but at age 92 and driving for over 64 years, he decided that it was time to pause that activity also. Soon after that time the apartment and cooking and cleaning became a chore too and Antonino asked his family to support his wishes to move to a care-home. He did not want to be a burden to any of his children or their families but did continue to enjoy every birthday celebration and holiday with everyone. On November 1st this year Antonino celebrated his 95th birthday. He was thrilled to see all his children and grandchildren assemble in the parking lot outside his Villa Colombo room. He recognized everyone and understood that the circumstances of the times did not allow us to be close enough to hug. However, about a month later his health changed (or one can say, “he heard God calling”) and he peacefully left us, as 2 of his sons sat at his bedside. We entrust Antonino into God’s care.
“To view family photos click the link below”
photos.app.goo.gl/SW86oxrHL2SbkSCm8
5 Messages
Clare Webb
on December 21, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Jim, Ross and families. Sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I am sure he is in a better place now and he will be watching over all of you now and in the future, so you will always have some at your side.
Reply
Elizabeth Wiwchar
on December 21, 2020 at 5:05 pm
What a beautiful story of your father’s life. At the end, God will say to him, “Well done my son, welcome home”.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Elena Popa
on December 21, 2020 at 5:34 pm
Jim and Ross:
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved father. May God rest his soul in peace and bring comfort to the whole family during this difficult time.
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David Facini
on December 21, 2020 at 5:59 pm
Joe and family. Sorry for your loss. My condolences. Your father was a remarkable man!
Reply
Elio Vitaliano
on December 21, 2020 at 6:46 pm
My condolences to Jim, Ross and to the family
Reply
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Antonino Aguanno 2020..
Death notice for the town of: TORONTO, Province: Ontario