Peacefully passed away in his 90th year on the morning of April 11, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph. Beloved husband to the late Maria Follo (d. 2013) for 54 years. Loving father of Rosa Lucia (Ettore Scapin) and Fiore Antonio (Patricia). Dear Nonno of John-Michael, Julia and Alyssa. Predeceased by his parents Rosa (Caporale) and Fiore Follo. He will be missed by sisters Maria DeCola and Leondina Follo, brother in-law Carmine Ottaviano, cousin Mario Nargi (Mena), his nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Giovanni, Maria & little Rosa immigrated to Canada in May of 1963. After a long journey on the S.S. Queen Frederica, the family arrived in Halifax and were welcomed in true Canadian fashion with an abundance of snow. Undeterred by the lack of southern Italian sun, Giovanni and family settled in Chatham, Ontario where they joined their family and friends from their hometown of Castelvetere Sul Calore. Their son, Fiore, was born soon after in 1964. As their new life in Canada began to take shape, Giovanni continued with his profession as a bricklayer and stone mason, eventually sharing his skills with students at St. Clair College. An avid gardener, Giovanni was passionate about the yearly cultivation of his garden and was subsequently awarded the Home Beautification Award from the Chatham Horticultural Society.
In 1978, Giovanni and family moved to Guelph, Ontario, where he continued his work in construction with Gorgi Construction and was on the team that built the first Tim Horton’s on Stone Road. In 1983, Giovanni opened a successful restaurant, Luna Pizza, in the newly constructed Eaton Centre in downtown Guelph. Patrons and passers-by were frequently serenaded with Italian songs while he made fresh, delicious pizzas and panzerottis. Giovanni continued to remain active within the community during his retirement, and greatly enjoyed his membership as part of Coro Cantitalia Guelph, where he was able to reconnect with many fellow Italians to share their musical culture at local events.
Nonno Giovanni will always be remembered for his love of family, sense of humour, incredible work ethic, patience – and of course, his delicious pizzas.
The family would like to thank Giovanni’s medical team including Dr. LoStracco, Dr. Burke,
Dr. Chan, the late Dr. Kapoor, the Guelph General Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Health Centre – Cherrywood Lane, and his trusted Bayshore PSW’s Muna, Lyndsay, Mary, Murray, and team.
Resting at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St, Guelph. Visitation will take place on Monday April 17th, 2023 from 6:00-8:00pm and Tuesday April 18th, 2023 from 10:00-11:00am. A Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday April 18th at 11:00am in the Funeral Home. Entombment and reception to follow at Marymount Cemetery, 5400 Highway 6 N, Guelph.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation or the Kidney Foundation of Canada would be greatly appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences can be made online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com