It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gennaro Buffone on November 18, 2018.

Gennaro died peacefully with is wife Ilde (Orsini) by his side. They have traveled the road together for 61 years. This road was at times hard but always their commitment to each other made the journey possible.

Gennaro was born on September 6, 1935 in Cotronei, Catanzaro, Italy. He traveled to France at the age of 20 where he met his wife Ilde. They moved to Germany in 1962 were they lived, worked and raised their family.

In 1974 he moved his family to Canada and settled in Winnipeg where is brother Santino and his family lived. Gennaro worked at Federal Pioneer Electric. He organized many Lotto 6/49 pools and was able to travel to a few Canadian cities for work. In 2000 Gennaro decided to retire as a bigger job needed his full attention. He became the personal driver for his Grandchildren. Gennaro loved having his grandchildren around him, he drove them to and from school everyday and loved to spoil them. He would do anything for them and all that was ever needed from them was a hug or to say they were hungry. He loved to teach them to fish, pick mushrooms and blueberries at the lake home. Each one became a pro at scratching lottery tickets. All the grandchild and great grandchild quickly learned the way to Nonno's heart was to say yes when they heard the word Mangia.

In 2009 shortly after his return from vacationing in Cuba, Gennaro suffered a stroke that set his feet on a new path in life. His declining health took him from Prime day program at Deer Lodge to St Joseph Residence. Dad quickly took on the job of greeter and time keeper for staff and visitors at the home. He oversaw the Bingo to make sure no one cheated, made sure the ladies at his table ate their food and loved to hand out sweet treats to everyone. Staff quickly learned that you could not forget Mr. Gennaro, he needed their attention, loved to give them a hard time and loved to make them laugh. Everyone knew a happy Gennaro made for a happy day at St. Joseph.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, staff and everyone involved with St. Joseph for always taking such good care of Dad and his family for the many years. Each one of the people who cared for him was such a blessing in his life. Dad had special names; special times; and special smiles for each of you who came to room 109.

Gennaro leaves to mourn his wife Ilde, his children Antonietta (Bill) and Julia. He also leaves 3 grandchildren Kristina (Mike), Lisa (Jonathan) and Serena, as well as great grandchildren Steven, Kamila, Jacob and Anna. He will also be missed by his siblings Santino (Teresa), Gino (Christina), Caterina (Gaetano), and Silvio (Sabina). There are also many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada, Italy and Germany. He is predeceased by his parents Giuseppe and Anna Buffone, sister-in-law Giulia Orsini and grandchild Melanie Belton.


Mi mancherai,
Mi mancheranno i tuoi abbracci e i tuoi baci
Mi Manchera tutto di te. Nonno sei stato importante per me,
E era so che non sara facile, ma non smettero mai di volerti bene.
Almeno di una cosa ne sono certa..
Tu ora sei felice lassu.
Riposerai e mi guarderai sempre, e questo e cio che conta
Io ti sento ancora vicino