Manuel Brutto (Nephew)
Entered
October 29, 2022
My Uncle John
A man who was always there for me, in good times and not so good. He listened when I needed advice or just to be heard, he responded with optimism and tried to have the conversation end with a positive note maybe even a smile if he felt it was possible. I always felt not only welcomed, no not just, but wanted. My memories of uncle John are of a hero to my brothers and I in my perspective, I recall my brother Dante and I being in the basement at Manning Ave and accidentally Dante inadvertently getting his hand caught on the rollers that were used to squeeze out the water from washed clothes. I screamed, Dante surely yelled in pain, our mother rushed down and wasn't able to release the upper roller latch to free his arm which by that time reached his armpit, uncle John swooped down without a word hit the latch with something and freed Dante's arm then got him to the hospital. On a humorous event somehow uncle John had challenged Dante that he could beat him in a race on Manning ave, they were start at Palmerston Grdns and run along the sidewalk to the home and see who wins. I think uncle was about 35 years old and Dante 12, well he gave it a good run but had mis- stepped on the curb once they reached Olive Ave, and took a bad landing ending up with scrapes and bruises, but smiling and laughing, saying that if he was on flat pavement he would've won! Yeah he was all of everything we needed in an uncle and more. We always were considered in Aunt Pat and Uncle John's equation for weekend getaways, whether it was fishing, a drive in the country, mushroom picking, or his family vacations. Uncle John and Aunt Pat always included us. The family picnics to centre Island or High Park, Victoria day fireworks at Christie pits, or the Santa Clause parade along Bloor st. We needed a drive somewhere he drove us all everytime to weddings family clebrations and far more to mention. By including us in thier family they allowed the memories we can recall anytime, our Christmases and Easter, New Years our cousins Josie, Tony and Spez were brothers and the sister we needed throughout our lives not only when we lived under one roof. When we moved to Yarmouth, Geary Ave or Kane the door was always open at 831 Manning Ave and 33 Arleta Ave. We would just walk in and pick up where we left off, distance and time was transcended by our sense of belonging together. It still is that way today and will always be.
Uncle John and Auntie Pat created and formed this unity without any effort, it is with love, we were part of them and they of us. Our lives have all been strewn in many directions, but they always cross each other many times and the continuation of our bond is directing us together to laugh support encourage and enjoy our time together.
I love my uncle John and am so glad he was such a big part of our lives. I will miss him, we will be one of the best less without him.
God bless this gentle man.
Zio Giannino lo pillo Russo non se dimentica mai il vostro carezza e affetto, dio ti benedica.
Manuele Brutto & Family
