Passed away peacefully at his home in Sault Ste Marie on Sunday, January 8, 2023 after a 90 year-long life that was filled with love, adventure, generosity, and good humour.
His loving wife of 60 years, Brenda (nee Carroll) and son Anthony (Tony) were always at the centre of his life and miss him dearly. He will also be missed by his son-in-law Seong Joon Chen, sister Anna Colvin (Wayne), brother Mario Concil (Elsie), sister-in-law Mary Lacaria (Dominic) and all their families. Elio is predeceased by his parents, Maria and Virgilio Concil (White River), and his mother and father-in-law Elbert (Ab) and Edna Carroll (Thunder Bay).
Elio grew up in White River and enjoyed a sporty youth honing his skills for hockey, baseball, skiing, hunting, and fishing. A highlight of Elio’s early years was an extended trip to Europe to connect with the families of his parents in San Daniel, Friuli, Italy. He maintained those family ties throughout his life and return trips in his later years provided much joy.
In May 1961 he first saw the love of his life, Brenda, who was teaching school in White River. She walked by as he was painting his parent’s house. He asked a friend to invite her to a party for viewing slides of his European travels. Even though Brenda fell asleep on their first ‘date’, Elio fell in love. A year later they were joined in marriage. In 1967 they were blessed with the birth of their only child, Tony. In 1973 the family moved to Sault Ste. Marie when Elio’s employer, the CPR for whom he would eventually work for 47 years, restructured.
Elio was always a devoted husband and father, and he was never slow to lend a hand to anyone in need. As he grew older, Elio’s sporting focus shifted to carpentry, home improvement, gardening, cheering the Greyhounds, reading voraciously, and monitoring the stock market. Anyone passing the family home in summer would likely see Elio on his tractor and notice the fruits of his labour in the lovingly manicured flower beds and immaculate lawn.
Elio had an adventurous soul. It was always a reliable bet that he would try the most interesting item on any restaurant menu. And in retirement, when his health permitted, he enjoyed travel adventures to spend time with his son in Asia and Europe. During these travels he made many friends who were attracted by his gentle nature, inquisitive mind, quiet humour and sometimes cheeky smile. Elio’s life, as he often said, was truly well-lived.
The family wishes to remember and thank all those who helped and supported them as Elio’s health deteriorated in his final years. Special thanks to Murray and Monica Ruzyski, Perry and Anne Vilaca, Barry and Norma Osbourne, Kim and Gerry Dunn, Dr. Bob Rasaiah, Dr. Darren Costain, the Parabus team, the Sault Area Hospital (SAH) volunteers, and all the nurses in the SAH Cancer Clinic.
Following cremation, a service to celebrate Elio’s life will be held at the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East 705-759-2522). Friends and family are invited gather in casual attire from 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 with the service commencing at 11:00 am. To reflect Elio’s generous spirit, memorial contributions to the charity of your choice will be appreciated. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.arthurfuneralhome.com for the Concil family.