Elio Santi

Devoted husband to Bruna (nee Tartaggia). Predeceased by his parents Marcello † and Antonia (Stocco) † Santi. Loving father to Lorena (Tony) Pellizzari, Luigi (Shelagh) Santi, Mirella (Ed) Cazzola and Gino (Cynthia Petersen) Santi. Proud Nonno of 10 grandchildren: Stephanie (Paolo) and Nicholas (Megan); Andrea (Ryan), Luke † and Janelle (Scott); Elivia (Braden) and Anita (Sam); Emily (Danny), Joseph, Meghan (Jacob); and 3 great-grandchildren: River, James and Soli.

Dear brother of Dina (Luigi Rodato †), Giuseppina † (Lino Moro †), Cecilia (Serafino Lago †), Camilla (Lorenzo Cecchin †), Tiberio †, Suor Maria Grazia (Ginetta), Gino †, Maria (Guido Lago), and Tiziano (Carla Cecchin), all in Italy.

Dear brother-in-law of Vincenzo † (Gigliola †) Tartaggia, Bertilla (Giovanni †) Coan, Silvio † (Luisa †) Tartaggia, Giovannina (Mario †) Peruch, Imelda (Ildebrando) Trentin, Maria Rosa (Mario †) Serafin, Paolo †, Paolina (Vittorio †) Pessotto, Graziella (Antonio) Breda, all in Italy.

Will be missed by many nieces and nephews in Italy, and all friends and extended family around the world.

Elio was born December 17, 1934, the eldest of a large farming family in Castello di Godego, Italy. He was raised with extended family. As a young boy, he helped his father in the fields and brought livestock to and from market with a horse and cart. In July 1954, he met 17-year-old Bruna Tartaggia, the love of his life, at his hometown’s Sagra (yearly festival). He was so taken with Bruna, often describing her beautiful dark, wavy hair, that he later rode his bicycle 70km to see her again and to meet her family. The third time they saw each other, Bruna went to see Elio off at the airport as he was leaving on the adventure of a lifetime: immigrating to Canada at the age of 19 with $40 in his pocket.

Speaking no English, Elio left his home and his entire family to begin a new life in Canada, completely unfamiliar with its climate and culture. His first job was dishwashing at the Green Rooster Restaurant in downtown Guelph, where one of the perks was eating cereal with cream instead of milk! Meanwhile, he and Bruna regularly wrote letters over five long years. Bruna then bravely left her home and family to join Elio in Guelph where they were married in the Spring of 1959.

Elio scrimped and saved and worked very hard to raise his family and build a beautiful life for them. Despite missing his family back home, he had many relatives and life-long friends in Guelph. He was blessed with 4 children, and was a very proud Nonno to 10 grandchildren and Bisnonno to 3 great-grandchildren.

Over the years, Elio worked at Harding Yarns’ Dye House, IMICO, Dow Corning and finally, Hammond Manufacturing, from which he retired in 1999. His employers were fortunate to have such a reliable, dedicated man, with an unshakeable work ethic. On his “time off,” he and his friends helped to build each other’s houses, and he was a part-time bartender at the Italian Canadian Club, his home away from home. He was a long-time member of the ICC, where he enjoyed playing Bocce, Scopa, and had many chiaccherate with his buddies every Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

Elio was known to tell stories and quick-witted jokes. His memory for dates was uncanny and he would often recall details from memories long ago, including phrases like, “It was a Tuesday!” He loved calling his far-flung friends and family members on their birthdays every year, without fail.

Elio meticulously tended his prolific, manicured vegetable garden which nourished his family all year long. He was generous and shared his harvest with his neighbours.

He was a devout Catholic and was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Guelph for 70 years.

Elio loved to sing. In his early 20’s he performed at the Guelph Little Theatre as part of a choral group. He was a member of the Coro Cant’Italia for decades. Elio, his relatives and friends would often gather to watch NHL hockey games, munching on bagigi (peanuts), after which they would have a coffee or glass of homemade wine at the kitchen table and sing Italian folk songs in four-part harmony. Every year, Elio made wine, delicious sausage, and salami, traditions which his family will carry on.

In his retirement, Elio loved watching Price Is Right, Jeopardy, Let’s Make a Deal, and Wheel of Fortune daily. He would often be seen sitting on his front porch, solving Sudoku puzzles, napping, or chatting with neighbours and friends. Elio was known as “The Mayor of Harris Street,” always giving advice on how to trim a tree or prune grape vines. He was also known to give road construction crews some tips from time to time!

For almost 90 years, Elio lived wisely and courageously, making sacrifices for others, and sharing good humour all the while. We are grateful to our father for the love, care and dedication to each of us, especially for our mother, his partner of 65 years.

Our family wishes to thank Dr. Ul Haq, Dr. Atalla, the Palliative Care team, and the entire staff of the 7th Floor at the Guelph General Hospital for their attentive care.

Arrangements entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, 1099 Gordon St, Guelph. Visitation will take place on Wednesday April 3, 2024, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 98 Alice St, Guelph, on Thursday April 4, 2024, at 10:30am. A livestream link will be available on the funeral home website. Entombment and reception to follow at the ICC.

As expressions of sympathy, donations made to Canadian Cancer Society or Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences can be made online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com