It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Vincenzo (Jimmy) LoPresti, who passed peacefully on May 15, 2025, aged eighty-six.

Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Rosetta of 53 years; daughter Mimi (Salvatore); sons Joseph (Gabriella) and Vince (Lucy); and five grandchildren, who were the sparkles of his eye. He will be greatly missed by his brothers, Frank (Cenzina), Jerry (Christina) and Tony (Cathy); his sister-in-law Marianna; and his many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his adored parents, Giuseppe and Domenica, and his beloved brother Alfie.

Born in Sicily in 1938 as the first of his parents’ children, Jimmy came to Canada at the age of fifteen to join his father who had emigrated from Sicily to Hamilton, Ontario. Without knowing a word of English when he arrived, he quickly found employment as a dishwasher at the famed Chicken Roost in Hamilton. There, he worked and learned the restaurant business from Max Mintz, who became his mentor and lifelong dear friend. Jimmy worked his way up to become the manager of the Chicken Roost when he was twenty-one and went on to manage and operate The Colony Restaurant in Hamilton.

In pursuit of his dream of owning a restaurant, in 1969, Jimmy opened an Italian fine-dining restaurant in Toronto called the Florentine Court, which he owned and operated until 2014. A true original, his hospitality, charisma and generosity were legendary and kept patrons coming for nearly 50 years, many of whom became his dear friends.

While a successful restauranteur, Jimmy was at heart a family man. In a magazine article about his restaurant, Jimmy was quoted as saying, “The restaurant is just my bread and butter, it is the family that is most important to me.” As his wife and children can attest, Jimmy was a passionate and loving presence in their lives – a devoted husband and father and a beacon of strength, guidance and wisdom to them all.

Jimmy was a devout Catholic, an avid soccer fan, and a movie, music, and book lover. He was also proud to be an Italo-Canadian.

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful team at the CICU at the Toronto General Hospital, his cardiologist, Dr. Brahmbhatt, his previous family physician of 45 years, Dr. Watson, and current family physician Dr. Stewart and nurse Lorna.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Toronto General Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital.

Visitations will be held on Tuesday, May 20th at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre located at 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, Ontario, from 4 to 8 pm. Funeral Mass to be held on Wednesday, May 21st at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church located at 78 Clifton Road in Toronto. For further information and details please visit www.etouch.ca.