Arduino "Lucio" Gemin

March 22, 1935 – November 13, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lucio on Thursday, November 13. Lucio passed peacefully in his sleep early Thursday morning, at Queenston Place retirement home, after fighting bravely through over 4 years of kidney dialysis and a stroke 2 years ago. He remained proudly independent, retaining his curiosity and spark for life to the end.

Lucio was the loving father and father in-law to Mark and Susan, Louanne and Tim, and Rick and Karen. He was also the proud grandfather of Stephen, Matthew, Alicia, Ethan, Sydney, Madison and Chelsea. Lucio is survived by his sister Teresa (Leda), and predeceased by his mother and father, Giuseppa and Domenico, and his siblings Gino, Rino, Attilio, Innes, Gina and Rina. Lucio will be deeply missed by his family, his many relatives throughout Canada and Italy, along with his remaining friends and compari.

Lucio was born in the town of Istrana, Italy, in the province of Treviso, and raised in the small town of Ospedaletto. When Lucio was ten, he tragically lost his father during WWII. Despite this difficult circumstance, he completed his skilled trades education in Venice, Italy, and came to Canada at the age of 21, to make a better life for himself and his bride-to-be, Zena Pietrobon. Zena and Lucio spent 67 years together, buying their first home on Brooks Street in 1963, and raising their 3 children there. Lucio remained proud of his Italian heritage, travelling back with Zena and his children frequently, but he embraced Canada as his home, becoming equally comfortable in English and Italian.

Lucio and Zena loved nothing more than spending time with friends and family. Their home was always an open door, at all times of the day or night. They enjoyed their membership at Club Italia, both as members and as volunteers, frequently attending celebrations, events and dances over the years. One of Lucio’s greatest joys was building a new home in 1986, where he and Zena lived happily, surrounded by great neighbours, until 2023.

Lucio was first employed in Canada as a Machinist at Tommy Hamil Machining and he then worked at Wire Weaving Canada until 1967. Lucio completed his career at Hayes-Dana, employed as an Industrial Machinist/Millwright, retiring in 1997 after 30 years of service.

In his retirement, he and Zena enjoyed travelling with their family and friends throughout Italy and North America. Lucio loved sports, especially soccer (go Azzurri) which he both played and coached, as an active promoter of Canadian soccer. His other great passions were his vegetable garden, dancing the tango with Zena, reading the newspaper and of course his wine making. Chin, chin Lucio!

A memorial service for Lucio will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025, followed by a lunch reception, at Patterson Funeral Home 6062 Main Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario; all family and friends are welcomed to attend both. If desired, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada would be greatly appreciated.