Antonio Fiorentino

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Antonio (Tony) Fiorentino Antonio (Tony) Fiorentino passed on to the gates of heaven on January 19, 2016. He leaves his beloved wife Maria; daughters, Josie and Cathy; grandchildren, Nathaniel and Morgan, and two great-granddaughters. Tony arrived in Winnipeg from Italy in 1952 and began work as a sheet metal mechanic. He received a certificate from Red River College and went on to be very talented in his field of work. He could make anything out of shiny metal. Once, he made a replica of the first Canada Cup for hockey, the half maple leaf. It was extraordinary! Singing was his passion! He had a lovely voice. When he was 16 and working in Rome, he was spotted by a priest who ministered to government officials in Rome. He was flung onto a stage many times to sing at large events. Over the years he would sing Italian songs that he loved at many family gatherings. While raising his family, he loved to play soccer (in the early years), bowl in a league, hunt for wild fowl every fall with his brother Joe and other friends, watch hockey, football and wrestling. With his family, he travelled across Canada by car and rail, and to Italy a number of times with his wife. He loved his cars. He must have owned at least 30 in 65 years. In fact, upon retiring, his hobby was to restore car bodies. After retiring, he also travelled, with his wife, to what he eventually called his second home, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They visited with son-in-law Pedro's family there, and his presence will be missed after 25 years. Although he was quite solitary due to depression, with which he struggled most of his adult life, he would be at your door if he could help with anything. He was renowned for being frugal. His extreme frugality caused many to keep their distance. But, something few know is that he was not stingy. He sincerely took care of those who he thought were in need, no matter who they were and asked nothing but a friendly greeting in return. His daughter once smashed his car and was afraid to tell him. When she did, he calmly said, "As long as you're not hurt. There's insurance for that." He forgave everyone everything, except being called a thief. The next day he would say, "Oh, that's in the past already." He was a good son, brother, husband, father and friend. He was not religious, but he believed in God. He prayed every night and always spoke of "a greater being who created this wondrous world". When once asked, he commented that during his war torn youth, he would never have dreamed that he would have come to Canada and have had such a wonderful life. He said, "I've had a loving wife and daughters, grandchildren, many friends, a number of homes and cars, travelled all over and a comfortable retirement. What more could a poor boy from a small town want?" He felt God had blessed him and he said he was ready to go. In hospital, he was asked how he was doing and his response was, "I'm waiting for my angel to come for me." He adored his wife, daughters and grandchildren. He loved his brothers, nieces and nephews and his many cousins. He loved his son-in-law Pedro as a son. Pedro was at his bedside twice a day holding his hand until he passed. The feeling was mutual! At his request, cremation has taken place, and no funeral service will be held. May his soul rest in eternal love and peace! Glen Lawn Funeral Home 204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 09, 2016