Ottavio "Otto" Ontario Di Cesare

Passed away peacefully in his home where he and his wife Elena spent much of their 64 years of marriage entertaining friends and loved ones. He will be fondly remembered by so many people for his sense of humour, his pranks, and his endless inventions. Otto was a family man first, leaving behind a legacy that is difficult to summarize in mere words. The love of his life, Elena, will mourn Otto with their four children, Claudia Goad (Tim), Robbie Medeiros (Bill), Greg (Monica) and Mark (Sharon). Until his last days, his children loved and cared for him and were a source of his pride. He leaves behind a brother, Fernando (Adrianna) who was his partner in many of his adventures as well as sisters Emma (Emilio) all of New York and Lydia (Ivo, d.) of Italy. Otto is predeceased by brothers Edmondo and Remo who will certainly be happy to see their brother again. Grandpa will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Kelly (Jody), Jessie, Markie (Jenn), Brock, Lindsay (Nick), Mason (Lindsay), Maddie, Devlin, Chris (Hilary) and Kim (Dustin) as well as great-grandchildren, Sydney, Jorja, Caleb, Olivia and most recently, little baby Jack who begins his story as a wonderful chapter comes to an end. Otto worked as an impresario at the fames San Carlo Opera House in Naples, Italy before he and Elena met in Long Beach, New York in 1949. He continued with his passion for music and people by representing opera singers from around the world at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC where he and Elena spent their early years together. Friends of Otto’s should know that he was quite the character until the very end, and opera music was played by his bedside during his final days. We will always think of him tinkering in his work shop, offering up a glass of wine, or going through old photos that he had so proudly organized. He was a proud NDP supporter and always kept up on Canadian and world politics. He loved his family above all else. We will miss him dearly, think of him often and his memory shall live on exactly the way he wanted it to – through his family. A private family funeral will be held. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Galt Country Club on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. where we’ll toast the man we all love so much, “The Patriarch of the Di Cesare Family.” Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.