Rocco Leone

on February 12, 2022. Rocco leaves behind his beloved wife Anna.

Cherished Father of Sonia (Steve), Mirella and Marco (Shelly). Rocco will be

forever missed by his Grandchildren Jordan, Lauren and Emily. He will be dearly

remembered by loving family, friends and co-workers.

Our Dad came to Canada for a new life. He worked very hard, saving up enough to

bring his young bride, our Mother Anna and his infant Daughter Sonia to Canada.

Shortly after, Mirella then Marco were born.

Dad worked as a tailor in Yorkville in the late ‘60’s, when it wasn’t the Yorkville of

today. It was not bringing much money in for a young family and he went into

construction where he met many more immigrants like him, who did what they could

to provide for their families.

Many of the buildings in Downtown Toronto, Dad worked on and he was really

proud and loved to show his Family and friends. He also loved to be an ambassador

for our great city.

Rocco has three Grandchildren, Jordan, Lauren, Emily and a multitude of nieces and

nephews here and overseas which he simply adored.

Dad was a very social person and thanks to him, his love of taking photos of family

and friends throughout the years means we now have some wonderful memories to

look back on. We did complain back then though and we do think the word, Paparazzi

came to being because of him.

As his Grand-Daughter Emily said, if selfies were a thing back then he would totally

be doing it.

He loved his wife, Anna who was dutiful and doting to Dad. She laughed at his Dad

jokes and chastised him and of course he would egg her on we think just to see her

react. Still he loved her and always made sure she was good and looked after.

A typical Italian household with lots of loud voices and laughing in addition to a lot

of pasta which was his favourite. He would at times would wake up early on a

Sunday morning and make fresh pasta or gnocchi in the basement for everyone. He

loved his bucatini pasta and if you were near him, you got a splash or two of the

sauce on not only himself but anyone who was in range, he would call the splashes

“medals”.

Dad loved to play bocce with the neighbours in the park and riding his bicycle which

he would surprise his Grand-Daughter Emily at her kinder-garden class. Dad was

always active and kept busy in his garden with his prized beef-steak tomatoes and

wine grapes.

He enjoyed the company of family and his friends that he would invite over for many

laughs, lots of wine which he made with pride every year, cheese and whatever there

was to share. There was a lot of loud singing and banging on the table for tempo, we

are surprised the tables stood up to that at times.

Dad loved to sing and until his last day was belting out Neapolitan music which he

loved. My Sister Sonia played this very music by his hospital bed in the company of

my Mom which brought many smiles.

His Grand-children enjoyed signing along with him which brought him much joy

and happiness.

He always had story to tell, ‘barzellette’ and many jokes and memories of times over

the years. Life events, lessons, funny moments and much more. We learned to listen

and appreciate them very much.

Dad always said, pretty much when we saw or spoke to him on the phone, remember

to do the right thing, always be respectful, be gracious, be good to others and each

other. You, okay?

He never said no to helping someone in need, he was gracious and reliable and never

expected anything in return and always had a kind word to say to anyone he met. He

set a very high bench-mark for his children.

The motto he lived by was, “Io sono un amico dell’amicisia”, “I am a friend of

friendship”. He loved life and everyone around him.

We miss you Dad but we all have a lot of you in us and we hope to continue to make

you proud. I hope you are partying with Everyone up in Heaven.