Obituary for Antonio Pietrantuono
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather Antonio (Tony) Pietrantuono on October 26, 2022. Antonio will be lovingly remembered and missed by his beloved wife of 62 years Assunta; son Michele (ex-Jennifer); daughter Giovanna (Luigi) and his treasured grandchildren Antonio, Alessandra, and Ariella. He also leaves numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends in both Canada and Italy to mourn his memory.
Antonio was born in San Bartolomeo in Galdo, P. Benevento, Italia on December 28, 1934. He worked for several years in Switzerland and Belgium prior to immigrating to Canada in 1957. He began his Canadian life working various jobs in Winnipeg and northern Manitoba. In no time he gathered enough money to purchase his first car, a treasured ’53 Chevy-he was so proud! Dad had a keen entrepreneurial spirit and set out to open his first business in 1967. What he lacked in experience he overcame with an abundance of determination. His first store was located directly across from the Via Rail train station on Main & Broadway, followed by Victor Grocery, Stop ‘N Save, and finally Classy Meats.
Dad thrived being a business owner and especially loved making his customers laugh. He was known for his sharp sense of humour. He was always ready with a joke or funny story. Some of our fondest memories were when he couldn’t quite get to the punch line while telling a story because he’d start laughing so hard at his own joke; he couldn’t speak and would end up in tears. Those were the best ones; you’d laugh harder with him than at the joke he was trying to tell.
Dad suffered from memory and cognitive challenges in his later years, but he found creative ways to work around these difficulties. Although frustrating for him at times, it provided opportunities for us to hear different and often better punch lines to his familiar jokes.
Dad met his beautiful wife in 1959 in Winnipeg and they married shortly after in 1960. Four years later they welcomed their son Michele and then daughter Giovanna. He was a very modest family man who enjoyed gatherings uniting extended family and friends. However, his greatest joy was when his grandchildren came to visit Nonno. It was then that he was happiest; his heart was full of love and pride for each one of them.
Dad in many ways lived the classic immigrant story. Work hard, save and build a strong family. Dad and Mom did all that with grace, good humour, and humility setting a standard for our family and a roadmap for the next generation.
Papa/Nonno we will always be grateful for all the sacrifices you made that lifted our family. You will always be in our hearts, a part of us; we will remember and love you forever! Riposa in Pace Papa
Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Antonio was born in San Bartolomeo in Galdo, P. Benevento, Italia on December 28, 1934. He worked for several years in Switzerland and Belgium prior to immigrating to Canada in 1957. He began his Canadian life working various jobs in Winnipeg and northern Manitoba. In no time he gathered enough money to purchase his first car, a treasured ’53 Chevy-he was so proud! Dad had a keen entrepreneurial spirit and set out to open his first business in 1967. What he lacked in experience he overcame with an abundance of determination. His first store was located directly across from the Via Rail train station on Main & Broadway, followed by Victor Grocery, Stop ‘N Save, and finally Classy Meats.
Dad thrived being a business owner and especially loved making his customers laugh. He was known for his sharp sense of humour. He was always ready with a joke or funny story. Some of our fondest memories were when he couldn’t quite get to the punch line while telling a story because he’d start laughing so hard at his own joke; he couldn’t speak and would end up in tears. Those were the best ones; you’d laugh harder with him than at the joke he was trying to tell.
Dad suffered from memory and cognitive challenges in his later years, but he found creative ways to work around these difficulties. Although frustrating for him at times, it provided opportunities for us to hear different and often better punch lines to his familiar jokes.
Dad met his beautiful wife in 1959 in Winnipeg and they married shortly after in 1960. Four years later they welcomed their son Michele and then daughter Giovanna. He was a very modest family man who enjoyed gatherings uniting extended family and friends. However, his greatest joy was when his grandchildren came to visit Nonno. It was then that he was happiest; his heart was full of love and pride for each one of them.
Dad in many ways lived the classic immigrant story. Work hard, save and build a strong family. Dad and Mom did all that with grace, good humour, and humility setting a standard for our family and a roadmap for the next generation.
Papa/Nonno we will always be grateful for all the sacrifices you made that lifted our family. You will always be in our hearts, a part of us; we will remember and love you forever! Riposa in Pace Papa
Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.