John Battista Rinaldi

John leaves his beloved sister, Natalina, and her husband Ed Kuris who was like a brother to him. John was a caring and compassionate son to our late mother, Rosina (d.1987) and late father Bruno (d.2005). He is fondly remembered by Uncle Victor and Aunts Barbara, Margherita, and Frances.

He will be remembered by many cousins in Toronto and Timmins that he grew up with….Silvana, Gilbert, Lina, Walter, Dina, MaryLou, Eddy, Joanne, Paul, John, Christine, Corinne, Peter, Danny, David, and special family friend, Elena Coleman and her children Dino, Diane, and Maurice.

He loved the yearly forested drives to visit our family in Timmins. This began his love of the outdoors, and anything he could ride out there: bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs, dirt bikes….

He loved and had them all, and could also take them apart and put them back together! In fact he would often fix any broken household appliances as well.

Graduating in the 1980s with a diploma in “Stationary Engineering” (too long to explain here, but Wikipedia can!), he had a long career in the energy sector.

When he wasn’t out riding the outdoor trails in any kind of weather, he indulged his other passion… technology. Every new computer, camera, cellphone, game or remote control hobby vehicle would end up occupying his time and repair skills.

He was the most loyal and caring son to both our parents, often bringing our Dad on his riding adventures. Dad would relax in a shady spot, drinking coffee and reading his newspapers, waiting patiently for John, in the fresh air of the outdoors they both loved. They enjoyed many years of membership in the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Association.

John loved animals. With our Dad, he shared a love of domestic birds, and through his sister, developed a special bond with her own beloved dogs and cats, who always looked forward to his treats laden visits.

While I grieve his absence now, I am blessed for our life and memories together, and that I could be with him in the last months, moments, and breaths of his life.

Private family service of remembrance will be at a later date.

In his memory, and as a token of gratitude to the many doctors, notably Dr. Howard Clasky and Dr. Sandra Marcus, nurses, spiritual advisors, and others who were compassionate and patient with his medical situation, I would kindly ask that donations be made to the Scarborough Health Centre. https://www.shnfoundation.ca

Let not the waves of the sea separate us now, and the years you have spent in our midst become a memory.

…And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.

From The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran