GILBERTO GRESTONI

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GILBERTO GRESTONI 1922 - 2011 Peacefully on May 22, 2011 with his loving wife and family at his side. He is survived by his wife Gina; brother Gino (Catherina); sons Roger (Adeline), Domenico (Jacquie), and Angelo (Leigh); daughter Gabriella (Carey), and grandchildren Colleen, Sean, Matthew, Paul, Rebecca, Jared and Jessica Grestoni and Sarah, Aidan and Jenna Bridges. Gilberto was born January 23, 1922 in Ancona, Italy. At a young age of 22, he served in the Italian army. His family survived the global depression, the destructive occupation of Italy during the Second World War and the every day challenge of hard work keeping up with the tasks on the family farm in Trapozzo needed just to survive. In 1948, he met Gina Mari from the nearby village of Monterosso, married in 1950 and had three sons born in Italy. At 37 years of age, he left the Italian part of his life behind to travel by himself with little more than his clothes for a new life in Canada. The family followed in the spring of 1961 and Winnipeg remained home until his passing. The Canadian life also brought a new addition to the family, daughter Gabriella his pride and joy. Work in Canada involved a variety of things until he enrolled at Red River College to take commercial cooking and then ended up working for Tache Nursing Centre for 26 years until his retirement in 1986. With retirement came the endless summer Bocce games at Provencher and Coronation Parks and anywhere else with a little grass to spare. Dad was always a kind person to all, a devoted husband and father and always put his needs last. Although his mobility was greatly reduced over the last few years, he rarely complained and his mind remained clear until the end and often drifted back to the first part of his life, the Italian years. He would speak of life events in Italy describing them with precise details as if he had just lived the moment. We will miss him but cherish his memories for ever. Una bona vita caro babbo e nonno, pensamo sempre de te-saluti. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, May 27, 2011 at St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church, 820 Cottonwood Road at 11:00 a.m. with viewing at 10:30 a.m. The family would like to thank the home care workers that helped greatly in his care over the last few years and the doctors and staff at St. Boniface Hospital 6A for their good care and compassion during the last month. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Parkinson's Society For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log onto www.mosaicfunerals.ca 1839 Inkster Blvd. 275-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 26, 2011