Obituary of Antonino Di Gesù

ANTONINO DI GESÙ March 5, 1934 - October 2, 2023 - On October 2, 2023 at the age of 89, Antonino passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

He was a dedicated father and friend to Elvira (Luciano Iarusso), Loredana (Ron Quaggiotto), Nick (Roxanne Renaud) and Christine (John Athan). He was also a loving and affectionate Nonno to Amanda (Patrick Osland), Melissa (Giuseppe Morcinelli) and Erica Iarusso, Elisa and Emilia Quaggiotto and Liliana and Gabriela Di Gesù, who will fondly remember him as their “Ninuzzo Panuzzo”. He will be missed by his younger sister Rosetta (Gaetano Dionisi), sisters-in-law Catarina (Sergio Vizzutti, 1987), Rosetta (Salvatore Russo, 2010), Maria Di Camillo, as well as by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends both here and in Italy.

Antonino is reunited with his beloved wife Maria Gucciardo (2013) of 51 years and son Nicolò (1965), his parents Nicolò Di Gesù and Girolama Fiorentino, siblings Nicolò, Maria (Vincenzo Fodera), Catarina (Salvatore Fiorentino), Giuseppe “Pino”, and in-laws Vito Gucciardo and Giacoma Perniciaro.

Born in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, Antonino had a strong work ethic and an innate sense of self-reliance. He had strong cultural roots, cherished his family, was fierce in character and loving at heart, and was dedicated to a life of beauty - from food, to music, to creativity, to fashion, to gardening, to every element that makes up a life.

At age 20, Antonino apprenticed in fashion design in Milano, specializing in custom men’s suits and creating patterns. With ambition to master his craft, Antonino opened a men’s clothing store in his hometown with his younger brother Pino. He found great success in this business (which is still in operation today) and gained the reputation of master tailor. It was here that he met his beautiful and talented wife Maria, who specialized in sewing men’s pants. They married in 1962. Yearning a better life, he took his family to Windsor in 1968. He owned and operated Tony’s Custom Tailoring and Modern Cleaners with his wife on Wyandotte St. W, which later turned into the city’s first Internet coffee house, the Mocha Café.

Antonino enjoyed telling old stories and Sicilian proverbs, spending time with family, singing Italian classics and dancing with his granddaughters to make them smile. He will always be remembered for his courage and charm, hysterical laugh, card playing skills and sparkling blue eyes.

Forever missed and never forgotten, his memory will always live on in our hearts. In Antonino’s memory, please show patience to the elderly, take interest in your family history, eat well and cherish the simple things in life.

Antonino’s family is grateful to the kind-hearted and caring staff at Dolce Vita Retirement Living.

In lieu of flowers, Antonino’s family is collecting donations for musical programming for the residents of Dolce Vita, in his memory.

A visitation will be held at WINDSOR CHAPEL (South Chapel) 3048 Dougall Ave. 519-253-7236, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm and 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Eulogy to be read at 7:00 pm. Visitation will resume Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 12:30 pm until the time of the Funeral Service at 1:30 pm in the chapel. Entombment to follow at Heavenly Rest Cemetery. Online condolences and cherished memories and photos can be shared at www.windsorchapel.com