Nerino Corbella was a man of excellence. There was seemingly nothing he couldn't do and when he did it, he did it nearly to perfection and that included loving and supporting his family and friends with his cheerful and extravagant generosity and gourmet cooking.
On October 14, Nerino passed away peacefully at Vancouver General Hospital surrounded by his family and much love. He was 90 years old.
The cruel way in which he was taken — he walked into the hospital emergency room on Saturday, by Monday he was almost completely paralyzed from Guillain-Barre Syndrome and by Thursday he passed away— provided him yet again with an opportunity to show what a remarkable gentleman of grace and strength he was.
Nerino was born in Fiume, Italy on April 4, 1931, the fifth and youngest child of Vincenzo and Erminia Corbella. His father died in a tragic accident when Nerino was only three years old, requiring his mother to become a career woman long before that was common. Perhaps that's why Nerino was such a strong feminist and passionate admirer, mentor and encourager of women and why he unfailingly supported his two daughters, Flavia and Licia, to pursue their dreams, including driving them to swimming practices every morning at 5 a.m. for many years, never once complaining.
Nerino was a celebrated varsity member of the soccer, volleyball, basketball and national championship rowing teams at his alma mater, the Collegio Navale Niccolo Tommaseo, in Brindisi, where he made life-long friends, ‘Muli’, whom he visited frequently at school reunions throughout the decades.
After the war, Fiume became a part of Yugoslavia and his family, among many thousands, left. He and a group of friends decided to leave Europe for either North America or Australia. Destiny brought him to Canada — sailing into Pier 21 in Halifax on December 5, 1951, at the age of 20 with little experience but a lot of enthusiasm. Italy's loss was Canada's gain — he became a passionate and patriotic Canadian.
It was while living, studying, and working in Montreal that Nerino met Pilar Garcia, whom he married in 1959. Daughters Flavia and Licia were born in 1962 and 1963, at which point he was already fluent in English, French and Spanish. In 1964 Nerino and two friends, Gordon MacKay and Eddy Dorini, moved to Vancouver with their families to start their own structural steel design firm, GNE Engineering. Eventually, Nerino established his own firm, NC Engineering which had a platinum reputation, working on many iconic landmarks across Canada and the United States including Canada Place, B.C. Place Stadium, West Edmonton Mall, the San Francisco International Airport, the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, and many other projects.
Towards the end of his working career, Nerino was renowned as one of the best trouble-shooters in the business, being called upon to resolve issues that no one else could seemingly figure out, including projects in the U.S. and Thailand. As one of his colleagues said, he could look at a drawing that dozens of people spent weeks pouring over, trying to find the mistake and he, by contrast, would find it quickly.
Nerino met the love of his life, Rosario Abraham in 2001 and together they lived a life of great adventure and love — travelling widely throughout Europe, central and South America, the U.S., Canada and his favourite, Maui.
Nerino was predeceased by his siblings Bruno, Bianca, Silvio and Virgilio Corbella, his nephew and niece Bruno and Bianca Corbella, his in-laws Jose-Mari Garcia, Olga Castro, Maria Corbella, and Marisa Corbella. He is survived by his wife, Rosario, his daughters Flavia and Licia, his sons-in-law Dino Di Fonzo and Stephen Gardiner, his grandchildren Sabrina Di Fonzo, Tyrone and Nolan Gardiner, his nephews Livio Corbella (Maryse) and Angel Castro, his nieces Ana, Laura and Maria Garcia, sister-in-law Estrella Garcia brother-in-law Juan Manuel Garcia as well as extended family members Alfonso and Lisa Abraham (Alex and Zach), Roberto and Julie Abraham (Christopher and Alfonso). He also leaves behind many friends who are shocked and devastated by his sudden, unexpected death and who will miss his unfailingly kind and attentive nature and positive vibrant energy. His infectious smile and friendly personality endeared him to all. He was a wonderful husband, devoted father, fun and engaging Nonno.
His talents were many, but he was at his best entertaining others around his dining room table nourishing everyone with exquisitely prepared five-star meals paired with great wine, much laughter and vigorous discussion.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses on 4C, 4F and 5T for their kindness and care towards Nerino and his family.
A private family viewing has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date when COVID restrictions allow.
Nerino was always very charitable, giving generously to many causes. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission, World Vision, the SPCA or the charity of your choice in memory of Nerino.
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