Obituary for Luigi Zilli
Luigi Zilli
January 1, 1931 – January 20, 2020
It is with heavy hearts we lay to rest our father, grandfather and uncle, Luigi Zilli. He passed away peacefully on Jan.20, 2020 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg at the age of 89.
Luigi was born in Col San Martino, Treviso, Italy, on January 1, 1931, the second son of four children to Brigida Arman and Umberto Zilli. His father died when Luigi was only 8 years old. Despite this tragedy and the hardships of living in impoverished times, his early years through childhood and adolescence were nonetheless joyful. But because of the death of his father, Luigi was forced to leave school to work to help support the family. Luigi and his brother Angelo, worked a small plot of land owned by the church to grow food to eat and sell. Luigi was a good singer, so he used this talent to earn a few liras by going from town to town and singing in bars with a small group of friends. Jobs were scarce, so at one point, he travelled to France as a migrant worker, until he was called for compulsory military service of 18 months with the Italian army. A few years after completeing his military service, Luigi immigrated to Canada in 1955 in hopes of a better life for himself and his family. After acrossing the ocean, he landed in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There he first worked for CN Rail for a short period of time, and then got a job with Subterranean, where he worked until his retirement.
In April of 1959, he married the beautiful Ida Buccini. They raised 2 children and were married for 42 years until Ida's death in 2001. His love for Ida was never more apparent, then when Ida became ill. He was at her side all the time, caring for her, encouraging her, making her laugh. When she became hospitalized, he'd be at the hospital every day to help care for her and keep her company. Luigi was at her bedside when she died in the wee hours of the night. A man could not be anymore devoted to his wife than he was.
Luigi enjoyed napping, watching sports on TV, especially hockey and WWF wrestling, working his garden, an evening of playing cards with friends and being with family, especially his grandchildren. Luigi loved all kids and they all seemed to be drawn to his gentle way with them. He had a soft spot in his heart for Cristina, his niece's daughter. Luigi liked going to his friend Vitorio's garage, where he'd meet with friends pretty much weekly in the warmer months, and they'd all bring something to eat or drink and have some fellowship. He'd make his own wine, of which he'd drink a glass with dinner every evening. Luigi was a good father, husband, son and brother. He worked long hours in order to provide for his family to which he was devoted. He was a quietly spiritual man with a deep love for and faith in God.
Luigi was predeceased by his parents, brother and sisters, and wife. He leaves behind his daughter, Mirella Seaman (Ken) and son, Umberto Zilli (Wendy) and his grandchildren, Michael, Leanna, Jaylene and Daniel and great-grandson, Lucas and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Always loved. Never forgotten. Forever missed.
For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log on to www.mosaicfunerals.ca
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January 1, 1931 – January 20, 2020
It is with heavy hearts we lay to rest our father, grandfather and uncle, Luigi Zilli. He passed away peacefully on Jan.20, 2020 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg at the age of 89.
Luigi was born in Col San Martino, Treviso, Italy, on January 1, 1931, the second son of four children to Brigida Arman and Umberto Zilli. His father died when Luigi was only 8 years old. Despite this tragedy and the hardships of living in impoverished times, his early years through childhood and adolescence were nonetheless joyful. But because of the death of his father, Luigi was forced to leave school to work to help support the family. Luigi and his brother Angelo, worked a small plot of land owned by the church to grow food to eat and sell. Luigi was a good singer, so he used this talent to earn a few liras by going from town to town and singing in bars with a small group of friends. Jobs were scarce, so at one point, he travelled to France as a migrant worker, until he was called for compulsory military service of 18 months with the Italian army. A few years after completeing his military service, Luigi immigrated to Canada in 1955 in hopes of a better life for himself and his family. After acrossing the ocean, he landed in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There he first worked for CN Rail for a short period of time, and then got a job with Subterranean, where he worked until his retirement.
In April of 1959, he married the beautiful Ida Buccini. They raised 2 children and were married for 42 years until Ida's death in 2001. His love for Ida was never more apparent, then when Ida became ill. He was at her side all the time, caring for her, encouraging her, making her laugh. When she became hospitalized, he'd be at the hospital every day to help care for her and keep her company. Luigi was at her bedside when she died in the wee hours of the night. A man could not be anymore devoted to his wife than he was.
Luigi enjoyed napping, watching sports on TV, especially hockey and WWF wrestling, working his garden, an evening of playing cards with friends and being with family, especially his grandchildren. Luigi loved all kids and they all seemed to be drawn to his gentle way with them. He had a soft spot in his heart for Cristina, his niece's daughter. Luigi liked going to his friend Vitorio's garage, where he'd meet with friends pretty much weekly in the warmer months, and they'd all bring something to eat or drink and have some fellowship. He'd make his own wine, of which he'd drink a glass with dinner every evening. Luigi was a good father, husband, son and brother. He worked long hours in order to provide for his family to which he was devoted. He was a quietly spiritual man with a deep love for and faith in God.
Luigi was predeceased by his parents, brother and sisters, and wife. He leaves behind his daughter, Mirella Seaman (Ken) and son, Umberto Zilli (Wendy) and his grandchildren, Michael, Leanna, Jaylene and Daniel and great-grandson, Lucas and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Always loved. Never forgotten. Forever missed.
For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log on to www.mosaicfunerals.ca
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