Obituary for Egeo Di Genova
Egeo passed peacefully of Congestive Heart Failure on Sunday July 14, 2019. His devoted wife of 54 years, Domenica, by his side
Born in San Benedetto Dei Marsi on October 16, 1939 to Maria Cordischi and Francesco DiGenova with siblings Lina, Nevio, Gigino and Nevra, he was the 4th of 5 children.
He, along with his brothers, grew up as a shepherd tending their flock of sheep in the mountains of Abruzzo, whilst learning to be butchers and continuing their father’s legacy.
At the age of 24, he began dating his soon to be future wife Domenica, also from San Benedetto Dei Marsi. While courting Domenica, he sought to offer his future wife and family a better life and sailed overseas to Canada, settling in Toronto. After 2 years of a long-distance courtship, he sailed back to Italy and married his wife in waiting on May 23, 1965.
Throughout his lifetime, his entrepreneurial spirit compelled him to open and successfully run his butcher shops. The first, with his brother Nevio, Macelleria Avezzano on Bathurst, then again, another Macelleria Avezzano on Bloor Street and then Macelleria Santa Rita on Eglinton. Each endeavour became the life school and playground for his 3 children, Pierina, Maria Luisa and Francesco. Work hard, play hard was the family business belief, and many precious moments and memories were had during those years. Being the social butterfly, his customers frequently commented on how big his personality was and how his infectious laugh brightened their day.
Recognizing the importance of a work/life balance, he elected to build his dream home in Italy so that he could spend his summers with his family. The shop doors closed for 2 months during the busiest time of the year, but he knew that the memories had, would outlast the business.
Although he worked hard and provided more than enough for his family, he was a passionate and avid bocce player. He belonged the to the Woodbridge Bocce Club and travelled often throughout Ontario and the United States with his teammates becoming the North American champions. He continued to play the sport daily, throughout his life.
After deciding to close the business, he assisted his son for 10 years who continued the family butcher business with his own shop Not Just Steaks in Mississauga. Being especially social, he charmed his way into their customer’s hearts. When he finally retired from the business at the age of 55 years young to enjoy his twilight years, his son’s customer’s continued to ask about him and still do to this day.
He will be remembered by his laugh, his sense of humour, his smile that brightened every room he walked into and his colossal social character that was too grand to ignore.
Left with loving and wonderful memories are his children Pierina (Frank), Maria Luisa and Francesco (Nikolina). Adoring and cherished grandfather to Salvatore, Jesse, Luca, Jacob, Nathan and Alexandria.
Predeceased by his brother Nevio (Concetta), his sister Nevra (Pasquale) and his many nephews, nieces and families. Awaiting him with open arms are his late mother and father, his sister Lina, Gigino, and his nephew Lidio.
‘Pa, you know what?...chicken have teet’
Born in San Benedetto Dei Marsi on October 16, 1939 to Maria Cordischi and Francesco DiGenova with siblings Lina, Nevio, Gigino and Nevra, he was the 4th of 5 children.
He, along with his brothers, grew up as a shepherd tending their flock of sheep in the mountains of Abruzzo, whilst learning to be butchers and continuing their father’s legacy.
At the age of 24, he began dating his soon to be future wife Domenica, also from San Benedetto Dei Marsi. While courting Domenica, he sought to offer his future wife and family a better life and sailed overseas to Canada, settling in Toronto. After 2 years of a long-distance courtship, he sailed back to Italy and married his wife in waiting on May 23, 1965.
Throughout his lifetime, his entrepreneurial spirit compelled him to open and successfully run his butcher shops. The first, with his brother Nevio, Macelleria Avezzano on Bathurst, then again, another Macelleria Avezzano on Bloor Street and then Macelleria Santa Rita on Eglinton. Each endeavour became the life school and playground for his 3 children, Pierina, Maria Luisa and Francesco. Work hard, play hard was the family business belief, and many precious moments and memories were had during those years. Being the social butterfly, his customers frequently commented on how big his personality was and how his infectious laugh brightened their day.
Recognizing the importance of a work/life balance, he elected to build his dream home in Italy so that he could spend his summers with his family. The shop doors closed for 2 months during the busiest time of the year, but he knew that the memories had, would outlast the business.
Although he worked hard and provided more than enough for his family, he was a passionate and avid bocce player. He belonged the to the Woodbridge Bocce Club and travelled often throughout Ontario and the United States with his teammates becoming the North American champions. He continued to play the sport daily, throughout his life.
After deciding to close the business, he assisted his son for 10 years who continued the family butcher business with his own shop Not Just Steaks in Mississauga. Being especially social, he charmed his way into their customer’s hearts. When he finally retired from the business at the age of 55 years young to enjoy his twilight years, his son’s customer’s continued to ask about him and still do to this day.
He will be remembered by his laugh, his sense of humour, his smile that brightened every room he walked into and his colossal social character that was too grand to ignore.
Left with loving and wonderful memories are his children Pierina (Frank), Maria Luisa and Francesco (Nikolina). Adoring and cherished grandfather to Salvatore, Jesse, Luca, Jacob, Nathan and Alexandria.
Predeceased by his brother Nevio (Concetta), his sister Nevra (Pasquale) and his many nephews, nieces and families. Awaiting him with open arms are his late mother and father, his sister Lina, Gigino, and his nephew Lidio.
‘Pa, you know what?...chicken have teet’