Salvatore Ritacca

Salvatore Ritacca died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, July 30th at age 73 held by his wife Mary, and surrounded by his four daughters, Virginia (Pierluigi), Patricia, Laura (Nathan), and Giulia (Dylan). Beloved by his granddaughters Gianna, Maria, Alice, Lucia, and Maeve, his sister, Amy (Phil), and all his nieces, nephews, sister- and brothers-in-law, cousins, and friends.

Serving as the patriarch, Sal was deeply invested in caring and providing for his family, lovingly guiding and supporting his ten Graces emotionally and spiritually.

Sal was born in Rende, Calabria on September 16th, 1951 and immigrated to Toronto at a young age. From Christie Street to Bristol Avenue, little Sammy could be seen running through the laneways, trading his Marvel comics, and playing drums in his band Rugantino. At Oakwood Collegiate he not only obtained his high school diploma, but also a love of math and a group of life long friends. At U of T he met Mary, his best friend and the love of his life. He started teaching math at Wexford Collegiate and ten years later co-founded Leonardo Da Vinci Academy. The school’s mission statement could also be applied to his parenting approach: instill a love of learning, promote creativity, and foster independent thinking.

He lived life fully. He was devoted to his family and friends but never turned down the opportunity to strike up a deep conversation with a stranger, and soon found himself unable to find a coffee shop in the Regal Heights and Corso Italia neighbourhoods where he didn’t run into a new found friend. He loved his bocce and poker nights. He was always ready with a pun, but was also the person you went to for advice.

He loved music and played the accordion, drums, and saxophone. Sal wrote a number of originals which he performed at family functions. Along with his trio "I Fogli Volanti" , he performed old Italian folksongs and popular world tunes for seniors bringing them joyful memories of their youth and heritage through music.

The natural landscape was where his spirit thrived, whether it was fishing for trout on Franklin Lake, navigating urban ravines, picking fruit from trees on daily neighbourhood walks, or returning to the olive groves in the motherland. He was devoted to his garden, tending to his fig, cherry and lemon trees, tomato plants, and flowers.

Sal died from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after nine months of undergoing various treatments. The family is eternally grateful to the dedicated and compassionate care of the doctors, nurses, and staff at The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. In lieu of flowers, the family is honouring Sal by encouraging blood donations. He received many blood transfusions as a form of supportive therapy over his nine months of treatment. These blood transfusions were essential in helping manage his symptoms and improve his energy and quality of life, which was a blessing for those who loved him. If you are able to, please consider giving blood on his behalf. Alternatively, in remembrance, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Visitation services for Salvatore will be held Monday, August 4th from 6 – 9 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 5th from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 9 p.m. at Jerrett Funeral Homes, 1141 St. Clair Ave. West. A funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6th at 11 a.m. at St. Clare's Roman Catholic Church, 1118 St Clair Ave. West. For those unable to attend, there will be a livestream online. Following the service, entombment will be held at Prospect Cemetery’s Mausoleum of the Last Supper, 1450 St. Clair Ave. West. The family plans to organize A Celebration of Life at a later date, to honour their beloved.

“Prioritizing the search for a greater truth and detaching from the ego will foster a higher self. Truth be told.” - Sal