Obituary for Giovanni (John) Basso
John (Beppi) Basso
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, John (Beppi), on September 27, 2020, in his 89th year. John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife and daughter, at Sunnybrook Hospital, following complications from a fall.
Born in Bannia, Fiume Veneto, Italy on November 18, 1931, his family travelled to Toulouse, France and returned to Italy when he was eleven years old. John immigrated to Canada in 1954 at the request of the Canadian Government, which was seeking workers to help build up the country in the post-war years. He worked hard in his new homeland; first on the Trans-Canada Railway, then as a lumberjack in north-western Ontario, and then ultimately, as a float driver and machine operator for Cliffside Pipe Layers for 30 years.
Early in 1960, he returned to Italy to visit his family and while there, attended a party to celebrate the Epiphany. It was there, at the ‘Casera’ (bonfire) that he met his future bride, Rina. They married only 3 months later, and have remained each other’s sweetheart for 59 years. John brought his bride to northern Ontario, which she loved for its wild beauty. They had their daughter there and then 2 years later moved to Toronto, where they put down roots and built a loving home.
John had a passion for all things mechanical, motors of every kind. He enjoyed cars and driving, maps of the world and reading. Boating and fishing ranked high on his list of favoured recreational activities. He could fix anything and was the “go-to” guy for friends and family who had stubborn lawnmowers, faulty snow blowers, or a defective stove or microwave. We could all rely on Beppi to get it going in no time. Be it plumbing or electrical repairs, drywall, or concrete work, or simple carpentry, he was the man for the job. Come September, he would make wine with the help of his family; excellent ‘vino’ he was proud to share with all family and friends who came to visit. Beppi was always generous with his time and his talents.
Beppi will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Rina, daughter Anita, sisters Celestina (Mario – predeceased), and Antonietta (Franco – predeceased). He will also be remembered lovingly by his nephews Attilio and Walter (Monia) in Italy, and his niece Silvia, as well as by extended family and friends here in Canada, the U.S. and Italy.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit at DeMarco Funeral Home at 3725 Keele St., North York, ON, M3J 1N4 on Wednesday September 30, 2020 between the hours of 2-4 and 6-9 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 811 Lawrence Ave. W., North York, ON, M6A 1C3, at 10:00 a.m. Entombment to follow at Beechwood Cemetery, 7241 Jane St. in Concord, ON.
If desired, Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, John (Beppi), on September 27, 2020, in his 89th year. John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife and daughter, at Sunnybrook Hospital, following complications from a fall.
Born in Bannia, Fiume Veneto, Italy on November 18, 1931, his family travelled to Toulouse, France and returned to Italy when he was eleven years old. John immigrated to Canada in 1954 at the request of the Canadian Government, which was seeking workers to help build up the country in the post-war years. He worked hard in his new homeland; first on the Trans-Canada Railway, then as a lumberjack in north-western Ontario, and then ultimately, as a float driver and machine operator for Cliffside Pipe Layers for 30 years.
Early in 1960, he returned to Italy to visit his family and while there, attended a party to celebrate the Epiphany. It was there, at the ‘Casera’ (bonfire) that he met his future bride, Rina. They married only 3 months later, and have remained each other’s sweetheart for 59 years. John brought his bride to northern Ontario, which she loved for its wild beauty. They had their daughter there and then 2 years later moved to Toronto, where they put down roots and built a loving home.
John had a passion for all things mechanical, motors of every kind. He enjoyed cars and driving, maps of the world and reading. Boating and fishing ranked high on his list of favoured recreational activities. He could fix anything and was the “go-to” guy for friends and family who had stubborn lawnmowers, faulty snow blowers, or a defective stove or microwave. We could all rely on Beppi to get it going in no time. Be it plumbing or electrical repairs, drywall, or concrete work, or simple carpentry, he was the man for the job. Come September, he would make wine with the help of his family; excellent ‘vino’ he was proud to share with all family and friends who came to visit. Beppi was always generous with his time and his talents.
Beppi will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Rina, daughter Anita, sisters Celestina (Mario – predeceased), and Antonietta (Franco – predeceased). He will also be remembered lovingly by his nephews Attilio and Walter (Monia) in Italy, and his niece Silvia, as well as by extended family and friends here in Canada, the U.S. and Italy.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit at DeMarco Funeral Home at 3725 Keele St., North York, ON, M3J 1N4 on Wednesday September 30, 2020 between the hours of 2-4 and 6-9 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 811 Lawrence Ave. W., North York, ON, M6A 1C3, at 10:00 a.m. Entombment to follow at Beechwood Cemetery, 7241 Jane St. in Concord, ON.
If desired, Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.