Giovanni Ruffolo

He will be leaving behind the love of his life, his wife, Maria. Proud Father to Frank (Emily), Mike (Lucy), Lucia (Agostino), and Gina (Peter). Loving Nonno to Cristina (Blair), Maria (Jaz), Nicholas, Ignazio, John, Carlie, Sophia. Giovanni is also leaving behind his only great-granddaughter Keira.

We remember your kind and generous nature. We admired your strength and your ability to persevere through all the difficulties you faced. These are the memories that we will cherish forever.

We love you and you will always be in our hearts.

In memory of Giovanni, donations may be made to Operation Smile Canada.

Thank you all for joining our family to celebrate the life of my father Giovanni Ruffolo.

My father was a good man. He was always fair and honest with everyone. He was a hard worker, and he instilled those values in me, always telling me to do whatever it was to the best of my ability. I will always remember him for his kind heart and his endless supply of love and support.

Dad came to Canada as a young man, settling in Toronto with previously settled family to start his new life. He immediately began to work so that he could settle and start a family of his own.

Shortly thereafter he met the love of his life, mom. Deeply in love they married and started a family of their own. I came along followed my brother Mike. Dad worked tirelessly, and shortly thereafter he purchased the home they lived in to this day. In our new home, they welcomed the arrival of my sisters Lucia and Gina.

Blessed with a new home and four children, he worked tirelessly to ensure the family had everything we needed. Even with all of these responsibilities he always made time to spend with his family and build far too many memories for me to share with you here today.

There were countless field trips to the Falls, the Martyr’s Shrine, conservation areas where would enjoy more swims and bar b que’s that I can remember, weekly fishing trips just to mention a few, and so on.

As we got older, he always encouraged us to continue our education, to go as far as we wanted, and be what we had always dreamed of.

When we all started our own families, he was always there to celebrate whatever the occasion, particularly enjoying the arrival of the grandchildren (Cristina, Maria Nicholas, Ignazio, John, Carlie and Sophia). He loved them all so very much and was proud of each one of them. He was also blessed to have recently welcomed his first great granddaughter, Keira. I was blessed to have witnessed the love in his eyes as he held and played with her.

Dad was a simple man who loved life. He didn’t need material things to make him happy – just the company of his family.

Two words describe my father best: kind and loving. Dad always put his family first and was always there for us when we needed him. He was the patriarch of our family and always so proud of his children and grandchildren. In my mind, I can still hear him bragging about our accomplishments to anyone who would listen. You grow up strong knowing your dad is your biggest fan and supporter. But dad was also an amazing husband to my mother. They were married for over 68 years and were truly best friends. They were always there for each other, no matter what. He was so happy seeing his entire family gather to celebrate such a marvelous accomplishment.

Those who knew and loved my dad know he was a man of faith and he instilled that in all of his children, especially me. In addition to his faith, dad was also a very hard worker. He always put his family first and ensured we had everything we needed, even if it meant sacrificing his wants and needs.

We will all miss him dearly, but none more than me. I love you, dad. And as you journey into the light, know that our blessings will always be with you.

Love Always,

Frank