Henry James Macerollo

Henry, 73 years of age, was the cherished son of the late Dominic and Julia (Finamore) Macerollo. He is survived by his beloved sister Josephine and her husband, Jim Scott. Henry was preceded in death by his loving sister Gloria, and treasured brothers, Donald, Gerry, and Charles. Henry will be deeply missed by his sister-in-law, Sue and her husband Dave Hodgson. He was the loved uncle of Carrie (Nixon Perez Ozuna,) Julie (Ron Mills), Susie, Michael (Michelle), and Kathleen (Cory Scott), and the beloved great uncle of Matthew and Nicholas Perez-Scott, Owen and Alex Mills, Palmer, Myles and Emmi Macerollo and Keeley Macerollo Scott. Henry will also be fondly remembered by his many cousins, friends and parishioners.

Henry graduated from the University of Waterloo as a Chartered Accountant. Soon after, he moved to Toronto when he became employed with Revenue Canada. Henry was a hard worker and a conscientious employee. It was inevitable that Henry would be very successful in meeting the expectations of a very demanding job despite the challenges he had with his vision. However, Henry eventually had to retire when his blindness became too significant to continue working. Despite these increasing challenges in Henry’s life, he was a fiercely independent man who learned to navigate his way through life relying on his memory of what he once saw. Henry learned to see with his ears, hands and mind and had a memory that was second to none. In addition to this fierce independence and sharp mind, faith was always at the center of Henry’s life. His kind, quiet and gentle spirit was a true testament to who Henry was and what he believed. While in Toronto, Henry met a group of fellow Catholics and together they purchased a farm in Thomasburg, Ontario where they lived as a community. Henry went on to spend the remainder of his life there, and only left that home to return to his home in Heaven. He loved the community they built, but above all, he loved God.

Special thanks are extended to the team at Gateway Community Health Centre in Tweed, especially Paige Harding (Nurse Practitioner) and Dr. Villa, who showed compassion and supported the family in carrying out Henry’s last wishes to pass in his home which he loved. A very special acknowledgement is extended to Fr. Aidan Dasaah, (Parish Priest at St. Carthagh’s Church, Tweed, 1887 and St. Edmund’s Church, Stoco, 1851,) who visited Henry’s home on Sunday, June 8th to ensure that he was able to participate, first hand, in the readings and reflections of the feast of Pentecost Sunday that were so deeply rooted in Henry’s life-long faith journey from childhood to his last days of life. Thank you dearly, Fr. Aidan, for nourishing Henry’s soul with the Holy Eucharist the day before he passed, and anointing him with the Sacrament of the Sick hours before he was welcomed home through the gates of heaven! And, last, but not least, an honourable mention is extended to Dennis and Lucille Campbell, neighbours of Henry and very special friends, who visited him daily these past three years offering him their most genuine friendship and support. Dennis and Lucille helped Henry maintain and refresh his home, which he was so very proud of, and kept a watchful eye to ensure Henry was safe and always taken care of right up until his final hours of life. Henry’s friendship with Dennis and Lucille deepened Henry’s love for life and his community! Their friendship meant the world to Henry - we will be forever grateful that God brought them into Henry’s life!

Henry is resting at Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home on 252 Dublin St. N., Guelph, where the family will receive their friends on Saturday June 14th, from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place at Holy Rosary Church on 175 Emma St, on Monday June 16th, at 10:00 a.m. Following the mass, Henry will be laid to rest at Interment Marymount Cemetery. A luncheon will be served at Holy Rosary Parish Hall following the burial – all are welcome to attend. As expressions of sympathy, donations in Henry’s honour can be made to the CNIB, the Passionist Fathers or the Knights of Columbus.