Antonella Benenati (Niece)

Entered January 12, 2021 from Toronto

Our deepest condolences to all the family.

Antonella, Leonardo and Benenati family

Antonella Benenati 

Entered January 15, 2021 from Italia

Sinceramente dispiaciuti porgiamo le nostre condoglianze.

Antonella Benenati e famiglia

Famiglia Benenati 

Entered January 15, 2021

Da parte di tutti noi famiglia Benenati a Celle Ligure. Nino Sandra e Lucia Le più sentite condoglianze a tutta la famiglia Ciao zio, Tony. Un caro abbraccio Riposa in pace.

Andrea Benenati (Nipote, Cognati)

Entered January 15, 2021 from Scicli

Angelo, Andrea Benenati e Rosa Scifo, dalla Sicilia, si associano nel dolore.

Walker Family / Comparetto (Friend of daughter)

Entered January 15, 2021 from Hitchin, England

Our condolences to Jess and her family.
We met her Dad briefly, when he last came to England and shared a great night with some fond memories with our extended Sicilian family.
May you rest in peace & eternal rest.
Love from Walker/Comparetto famiglia

Dad was a man with many stories. His bilingualism and biculturalism made him a treasure. From a childhood learning unification songs in elementary school, to the snowstorm that greeted him in Halifax when he arrived with his family in 1950 and beyond, he knew all things Canadian from the price of a slice of apple pie 50 years ago to the latest hockey team recruits. While in his later years he lived minimally his daughters are proud to note that he happily and independently took excellent care of himself and wanted the same for all of us.

We sense his spirit alive with us still, are grateful and cherish the memory.

I remember the first time I met Tony at the airport in Toronto like it was yesterday. He was so excited to see 'his Rose' and I suppose I was an added bonus. He whisked us off to his immaculate apartment where he then proceeded to feed us just about everything that he could get his hands on. I had never eaten so much in my life in one sitting - soup, pasta, more soup, veal cutlets, more pasta and Sicilian pastries and I think we rounded off the meal with some espresso and a game of Scopa or Briscola...I can't remember which one.

One of my lasting memories of Tony that brings a smile to my face is how Rose and I had to become ever increasingly inventive when it came to distracting Tony while we paid the bill when we went out for a meal. Tony was so adamant that he had to pay sometimes it got to the point where we would be physically wrestling one another in the middle of a restaurant.

At this sad time I have many fond memories of time spent in the company of Tony, some of which are as follows:
- happily sitting in silence with Tony, which I think both he and I secretly enjoyed having both lived in a house surrounded by 3 strong females
- talking about sports and the worst snow storms in Toronto
- him hugging me so hard at the airport after meeting him for the first time that I swear he left fingerprints embedded in my back to this day
- how proud he was to be a grandfather and how he loved spending time with both Lily and Sophia, always wanting to show them off to his friends whenever we went to visit
- his unique way he posed for photographs if he had the opportunity to place one foot up high
- his kindness, love and the way he accepted me into his family

I'll miss picking up the phone and hearing you say 'How you doing?'...all my love Scot xoxo

Today I remember Nonno as a strong and loving grandfather. A funny and kind person. I have many fond memories of my time spent with him. Getting to make homemade pizza and buying him a brand new car after being stranded when his old car broke down. I remember me and Sophia squashed in the back of the car with him when we went for a drive, mum and dad sat in the front.
And the photos filling every space he had available on each wall with a fond photograph of his family.
I loved every minute of every memory made with him, even though I didn’t always show it. I knew then and know now how much he loved me and Sophia. He always talked about us and treated us with so much admiration. I wish I could have spent more time making memories with my Nonno but I know he lived a peaceful, happy and fulfilled life.
I am happy I got to know him, and forever grateful to have been able to call him my Nonno.
I will love you always
Lily x

IF ROSES GROW IN HEAVEN 
If roses grow in heaven, 
Lord please pick a bunch for me, 
Place them in my Father’s arms 
and tell him they’re from me. 
Tell him I love him and miss him, 
and when he turns to smile, 
place a kiss upon his cheek 
and hold him for awhile. 
Because remembering him is easy, 
I do it every day, 
but there’s an ache within my heart 
that will never go away.