Antonio Aiello

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Antonio Aiello on May 4, 2026, at the age of 91. He will be dearly missed by his wife Maria, children Marisa (Brad) and Caterina (Simon), grandchildren Jessica, Nathan, Alexandra and Ryan, sister Maria (Salvatore), sister-in-law Vittoria and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Maria and Antonio, his brothers Luigi, Francesco, Natalino, Giuseppe, and Pietro.

Antonio was born in Amato, Italy, on November 19th,1934. In 1963, he married the love of his life, Maria. They would spend the next 62 years together. Antonio was a devoted husband; he worked hard to give his family a better life. His wife and soon-to-be-born child remained in Amato while he left to work construction in Hamburg, Germany. Antonio earned money to send back home, hoping one day he could move his family to Canada. In 1967, Antonio left his family again to come to Winnipeg. With help from his brother Joe and sister-in-law, Vittoria, he found employment as a furniture assembler at Acme Chrome Furniture. There, he met lifelong friends and was a dedicated employee, serving the company for 29 years before retiring in 1996. In 1968, Antonio was reunited with Maria, Marisa and his mother in Winnipeg after being separated from them for a year. Antonio and Maria both worked hard to save money and buy their dream home, having lived there for over 50 years.

Retirement life fit Antonio perfectly. “Tony,” as many family and friends called him, enjoyed walking in the neighbourhood and knew everyone he met, everywhere he went. A stroll could be going down the street to visit with a friend or disappearing for hours walking to places like The Bay downtown.

Gardening was another passion. He would be out every single day with Maria watering, planting, picking vegetables, or just enjoying the outdoors under his grapevine. A place where he spent hours with friends and family chatting over a sandwich and a glass of wine. But on most summer days, Tony spent his time in Matlock with Maria, his children and grandchildren, where he owned his cottage. This is where he loved to play Bocci, sit at the beach or walk in the lake with his grandchildren. Tony loved to have friends visit and sit at a long table filled with his wife’s homemade bread, salami, cheese, garden vegetables and steaks off the grill. Of course, there was always a bottle of his homemade red wine, his other passion, on the table, ready to serve to friends who dropped by. The veranda was a place to eat, play Scopa and then sing his opera for the neighbours to hear. He enjoyed a good party and was always the centre of attention. Many couldn’t wait for his hilarious stories that were to follow.

His greatest passion was his children, especially his grandchildren. Every day revolved around them. His life was devoted to them. Each day consisted of a check-in. Sometimes, a phone call or calls. Other days, he’d show up at their houses to fry his famous potatoes, help get the tomato sauce started for dinner, do dishes or monitor the extra gardens he planted in their back yards. Throughout the grandchildren’s lives, “Nonno” was there waiting to go to the park or simply to have a chat and offer his advice about life and his values. Not a day went by that he didn’t call or show up. Life without Nonno is difficult to imagine, let alone reality. He will forever be in our hearts.

We would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Thank you to pallbearers Daniel, Bryton, and Franco Stranieri, Franco and Joey Aiello and Carman Scarpino.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave. Condolences will be at 10:00 am, with mass at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Waverley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 1501 Waverley.