Edo Da Prat

Edo Da Prat, age 89 years, passed away peacefully on March 21st surrounded by his loving family in the home he and his brother built on Ross Avenue over 50 years ago. Predeceased by his cherished wife of 58 years, Lia, his brothers, Armando, Lino, and Angelo, sister Maria and his parents, Agata and Alvise. Edo is survived by his adoring daughters, Christine and Cynthia, sons-in-law Chris and Tony and his doting grandchildren, Matteo, Luca, Alessandro, Elena, Grazia, and Daniela.

The eldest of five children, Edo was born in the Northern Italian town of Arba in Friuli on August 11, 1932. Losing his father at a young age and as the eldest, Edo travelled to France then Belgium finding work and new friends along the way. In 1955, he immigrated to Canada with four friends onboard La Roma ship and arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax. With the required $25 in his pocket, Edo’s work ethic, courage and business acumen would drive him to achieving a life anyone would be very proud to have lived. After a short stint in Montreal, Edo moved to Ottawa for a few years working in several construction companies before settling in Cornwall. There he founded a prosperous construction company together with his brother Angelo and built homes, apartments and a strip mall in Cornwall and Ottawa. He and Angelo proudly christened Da Prat Avenue and Arba Street ensuring the family surname lives on.

Edo was a deeply committed and devoted family man who loved his Lia, dearly. He was proud of his northern Italian heritage and maintained very close ties with friends and family. Sundays were a time for gathering and celebrating friendship. The Da Prat basement “taverna” played host to many fiestas and salami making. He was a proud wine maker engaging both daughters, sons-in-laws and even the grandchildren in the tradition. Every fall, Edo brought family and friends mushroom picking in the forests enjoying the harvest and more so its cooking by Lia.

He and Lia loved to travel and were fortunate to visit many countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East and even enjoyed the Florida and Caribbean sun. They made frequent trips back to their hometown Arba proudly showing their native home and traditions to their family and friends. A big soccer enthusiast, Edo never missed a chance to watch his Udinese. In 1974, he took his wife and daughter to the 1974 FIFA World Cup only to witness an early exit by his beloved Azzurri.

Edo loved his six grandchildren to depths which are indescribable. He had a very special relationship with each of them, and the strength of those bonds will stay with them for the rest of their lives. He taught his grandchildren the values of hard work, resiliency, and unbreakable commitment to family and loved ones. And they learned the need to “push it”. It was only fitting that his last breath was with his loving daughters and grandchildren who were able to whisper in Nonno's ear how much they loved him, and the wonderful impacts he made on their lives.

Edo will be remembered fondly as a pillar member of his community who was loyal and committed to family, friends, and business colleagues. He cared deeply about people and had a very big heart for those who simply needed a break, or a little support to get them through. He did not mix words and spoke from the heart. His presence made us all work a little harder and live our lives with the same dedicated, humble, and honest spirit.

A heart felt thank you to the health professionals who helped make Edo’s journey peaceful and serene. Our sincere appreciation to the Nurse Next Door team, Ashley, Jaymie-Lynn, Patrick and Nathalie and the Ottawa Hospital Riverside campus nephrology team who worked hard to fulfill his desire to remain at home. A special mention of his physician Dr. Di Cintio and family friend Dr. Mireille Lecours who once again with patience and compassion guided us through this journey.

The family will be in attendance at LAHAIE AND SULLIVAN, CORNWALL FUNERAL HOMES, WEST BRANCH, 20 Seventh St West (613-932-8482) from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Service on Monday, March 28, 2022. Funeral will be held Monday, March 28 for Mass of Christian Burial in Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Notre Dame Cemetery. As expressions of Sympathy memorial donations to the Diabetes Canada, www.diabetes.ca is greatly appreciated by the family. Messages of condolence may be left at www.lahaiesullivan.ca.