Armando Crispino

His loving wife, Klara, and daughter, Martina, had spent most of that day with him and he took his last breath with his daughter, Natascha, at his side. Armando was known to many family and friends as "Sestilio" or “Sesti”, as “Papa” or the self-named, “Papaboy”, to his kids, and as “Nonno” to his grandchildren. He was born in 1941 near Carpanzano, Calabria, Italy to Maria (née Garofalo) and Luigi Crispino, who cherished him. The name Sestilio was gifted to Armando, named after a good friend of Saverio Crispino, Armando’s paternal grandfather, who helped the family through some tough times. The family immigrated to Canada on the “Irpinia” ship in 1959 and lived in Corso Italia in Toronto. In 1972, he married Klara, and together they raised Natascha and Martina, first in Toronto and then moving to Mississauga in 1978. From an early age, Armando discovered he was good at cutting hair, being recruited by many family members and friends for their own haircuts. He decided to go to hairdressing school in Toronto, where he met one of his life-long friends, Mario Perri. He worked at a furniture factory to make money while attending school, having already developed some carpentry skills learned in Italy from his Nonno Saverio, who had been a cabinet maker. He often used those skills to reupholster his family’s chairs and couches to make them look brand new. Armando also owned Kahlua Café with Mario, which had been a coffee shop at St. Clair and Christie in Toronto. He ultimately owned and operated several hair salons over his career, the last of which had been at the Toronto International Airport, where he made many friends with the airport and airline staff. In his free time, he loved spending time at “The Farm” near Meaford, Ontario, which reminded him of his family’s farm in Valieri, Italy, where he grew up. Long walks on the property and climbing trees, where he sometimes showed off his skills by getting back to the ground swinging down the branches, were customary activities. He also loved collecting and tinkering on classic cars, nurturing, with Klara, a large garden at their home in Mississauga and at The Farm, and roasting chestnuts in the fireplace on cool nights, but his passion was his and Klara’s family and friends, a passion he and Klara passed on to their children. Family gatherings were one of Sesti’s happiest places, where he delighted in telling Italian folk stories and tales of family and ancestors. Often his storytelling was interrupted by his own uncontrolled laughter which spread to all in the room and filled listeners with so much joy. He was also known for making toasts and reciting short poems at special occasions, a tradition he carried on from his Zio Giulio, who had been a master of this art. He and Klara also loved to travel. They did an epic 3-month European tour for their honeymoon and later took their children to Australia, with the intention of moving there; ultimately, they returned to Canada, but their connection with their Australian relatives was forever strengthened by this trip. They thoroughly enjoyed travelling both to visit family or friends as well as to discover new places. Armando or “Nonno” also loved spending time with his grandchildren. Whether it was reading stories or playing games with them, telling them stories, or giving them cuddles, he adored and loved them immensely. When Armando’s health started to fail, Klara, with help from their children, was a loving and steadfast support to him. Armando was a warm, generous, witty, fun-loving, and wise person, who was always willing to help others where he could. He was loved by all who knew him and will be dearly missed by his wife, Klara, his two children Natascha and Martina and their spouses Jason and Martin, his grandchildren Maximus, Marley, and Sidney, his siblings Finitella, Franco (Elena), and Giselle, his many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews, his surviving uncle and aunts, Zio Umberto (Clorinda), Zia Rosina and Zia Carmelina, as well as many beloved cousins, other family members, and dear friends in Canada, Italy, Australia, Germany and the USA.

The family would like to sincerely thank the care team on 5 North, Baycrest Apotex, for their dedicated and compassionate care during our dear Armando’s time with them.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Baycrest Apotex, directed to 5 North, to the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto, or to a charity of your choice. Thank you.

A visitation for Armando will be held Sunday, October 23, 2022, from 2-4pm and 6-9pm at Jerrett Funeral Home, 1141 St Clair Ave West, Toronto.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022, at 11am at St. Clare Church, 1118 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto.

The entombment will follow at Prospect Cemetery, 1450 St Clair Avenue West, Toronto.