Obituary of Bortolo Santarossa

SANTAROSSA, Bortolo August 15, 1932 - August 1, 2015 Passed away peacefully on the morning of August 1st days shy of his 83rd birthday. Beloved husband of 59 years to his devoted wife Paola (nee Tonon). Loving father and father in law to Lora (Tony Piunno), Doreen (Frank Colantoni) and Sandra (Luigi Baggio). Adored and admired by his grandchildren Andrea (Joseph Zagar), Paolo, Lucas, Adriana, Domenico, Nicolas, and Isabella. Waiting to welcome him into heaven with open arms is his great granddaughter Mia Zagar. He leaves behind his sister Ismide (the late Ezio Toffolon) and his brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws the late Adriano Tonon (Rina) and in Italy Vilma (Luigi Artusi), Nori, the late Fiorella, Pierluigi Tonon (Clara), Rafaella (Giuliano Barel) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Bortolo - affectionately known as "Cici" to his family and friends - left Italy in 1953 and moved to Canada where he and his wife built a life and started their family. He worked as a tile setter and was proud of his craft. He passed on his passionate and creative instincts to his grandsons. His kind and generous heart beats on in spirit through his adoring granddaughters. Cici was a member of the Giovanni Caboto Club and shared his beautiful voice as a member of Il Coro Italiano and St. Angela Merici church choir for many years. He was an avid gardener and greatly enjoyed the outdoors. He spoke joyously about the full life he shared with his wife and daughters and the pleasure he and Paola enjoyed while travelling. He was a devout Catholic whose faith gave him strength, vitality and optimism throughout his entire life. He will be missed deeply, loved always and never forgotten. Visitation at WINDSOR CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME (Main Chapel) 519-253-7234, 1700 Tecumseh Road East on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 from 3-5 and 7-9 pm. Prayers at 4:30 pm. Funeral Services on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 8:45 am from the funeral home then to St Angela Merici for Funeral Mass at 9:30 am. Entombment to follow at Windsor Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hospice of Windsor and Essex Inc. who provided exceptional in-home care during his time of need. Online condolences and cherish memories may be shared with the family at www.windsorchapel.com