elevated FbbZb February 16, 1934 ~ January 29, 2021
elevated FbbZb Guolo, Benito – Passed away on January 29, 2021. He leaves behind his grieving wife of 63 years – and truly his life – Maria (his Minci). He will be terribly missed by his children, Keki/Francesca (Henning) and Tony and by the grandchildren he adored, Alexander, Matthew, Maximilian, Sophia and Nikolas. His sister (Anna Maria), his brother (Gino), his brother-in-law (Beppi), his sisters-in-law (Giuliana, Milli and Regina), his many cousins, his multitude of (great) nieces and nephews and all of his friends will miss him too. Ben loved life (and food and travel and people and Bijoux) and he was ever so grateful for his many blessings (none greater than Maria). He loved with abandon, he always saw the glass half full and he welcomed everyone with joy and acceptance. This is his legacy and this is how we will remember him. A private funeral mass and entombment will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home and Cemetery. However, when all who loved him are able to come together to honour him in the way he would have wanted – with wine (definitely wine), seafood, song, great stories and laughter – we will celebrate Ben. We would especially like to thank the staff of Mount Sinai and, in particular, the physicians and nurses of 10 South, for their great care and compassion for Ben in the past very difficult weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the Canadian Lung Association would be much appreciated by the family. Beni, Papa, Nonno: we will miss you every day, but this is not sayonara just arrivederci.
elevated FbbZb Click Here to View the Mass
My heartfelt condolences go out to and your family
My sincere condolences. I am sure that Ben marked the lives of many people, especially mine. While living in Canadá I had the opportunity to not only work as a housekeeper at his house but be part of his family, so well he treated me. I had moments of joy and attention. Ben and Maria never let me feel so alone. I Just want to say thank you for everything Ben. We will meet you soon when Jesus call each one of us in the great day of ressurection. Rest in Peace.
With all my love
Maggie from Brazil
To Maria, Keki and Tony:
My deepest condolences! Your husband and dad was an amazing man! Not sure we know of anyone who loved life as much as he! Warmest regards and a big hug. John and Lidwina
I will always remember Ben for his love of life and his laughter. He will be truly missed.
May he rest in peace.
Love,
John
God bless you and all your family. I am José from Passarola Trading , portuguese.
God bless you and all your family. I am José from Passarola Trading , portuguese. I learned very much good things with him. Thanks for all the moments we have in Canada, Portugal and Brazil
Ben became my friend in 2006 introducing little
Terrier Bijou. Ben was also my my French speaking friend and so much more.Our home became Bijou’s winter’s residence.
I remember, the beautiful meal at your place,,the glass of wine here after Bijou’s daily walk!
Dear Maria and family, my thoughts are with you,
Ben was so easy to love!
Marie-Luce
Ben and Maria were our neighbours on Wiarton Court for all 25 years that we lived there.
Ben was the unofficial Mayor of Wiarton Court and witnessed the comings and goings in the neighbourhood, recounting and providing analysis…Guolo version!
Switching easily from English to French to Italian, Ben became a friend to anyone he would meet. And on his daily walks with Bijou, he encountered literally hundreds of Thornhill residents.
Stacey and I will remember Ben as a kind friend and wonderful neighbour.
Our condolences to Maria and the family.
Intelligent. Insightful. Cheerful. A true class act. The wisdom Ben shared from his extensive travels around the world was always a treat to receive.
Ben’s presence will be deeply missed. The Cottons are saddened to hear of his passing. Our deepest condolences to his family. God speed Ben!
Dear Maria and Family,
When we moved to Dove Lane in 2009 Ben was the first neighbour to befriend us.
We always loved when he would stop to chat, we especially miss watching him briskly walk past our front windows with Bijou following in his footsteps.
Ben was a very special man.
God Bless!
We first met Ben and Maria in 2001 when they walked over to visit our house on Dove Lane to see Marie-Luce’s miniature pottery when she was a part of the Thornhill Studio Tour. After that we visited back and forth many times over the years and then, also, dog-sat little Bijou for several years when they went south to Mexico. What an excellent picture of Ben and his favourite wee dog is attached to his obituary as shown above!
They became an important part of our lives for those many years and Ben will be very much missed by us.
We are sorry to hear of Ben’s passing and our condolences and love go out to Maria and family. Ben was an intelligent, well spoken and very happy person. We would talk often as neighbours, especially when walking Bijou. He certainly loved life and lived it fully every day. We got to enjoy his famous home made pizza that he made for Christmas get togethers for the street party. We will miss Ben but are proud to have called him a great neighbour and friend. Heaven now has a happy new presence.
Having worked with and for Ben in the early 80’s, my life turned completely in a new and exciting direction when hired by Ben. I had come from a background of dealing mainly with different clientele and then Ben introduced me to a whole new world of great Italian food, wine and a new clientele and culture. What a teacher he was. With Bens wisdom and experience we started a new business, travelled together and generally built a new and exciting world which challenged us both. Ben was a first class individual. His leadership was clear and straight to the point. My wife and I are better people for having known him. He will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends
David and Nora Ross
My sincere condolences to Maria and Guiliana and his family . Mes sincères condoléances à la famille. Je me souviendrai d’un homme jovial qui voulait toujours nous parler en français lorsqu’on le croisait sur la plage à Nuevo Vallarta et pour nous les canadiens français Ben était Monsieur Bijou. Great memories of him
rest in peace
ciao Zio, riposa in pace
My fondest memories of Beni were at the family gatherings we enjoyed either at the Guolo’s, the DeBiasio’s or at my dad’s (Odino). No matter how many children were running around spreading chaos Beni was always an island of calm, positivity and good humour, a trait that always warmed our conversations. We shared a love of travel to beautiful and exotic places and I envied the fact that he had been to many more than I had!
My deepest condolences to Maria, Keki and Tony.
Beni was a kind and gentle man who is surely enjoying eternal peace.
I am very sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. My heartfelt condolences To Maria and Family. I had most pleasant and enjoyable visits to their home in Thornhill I shall always remember’
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
May he rest in Peace
Helen Bintinger
family
I am very sorry for your loss, I have know Ben as my Supervisor at CP Air, and you were so kind when my husband Lucio died.
It is a very difficult moment when we lose a husband so painful the worst thing that can happen to a woman. Know that he will always be with you. Talk to him he will answer ,they never leave us he will hold your hand until you go home. Bless you.
Marielle Regnier Samperi
Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.
Wishing you smiles amid the tears as you remember happy times with your loving husband Ben, papà and nonno.
With our sincere sympathy,
Lucio & Elda Mancini
A kind and intelligent man. We all have great memories of our times with C. P. Air and our summer airline parties. Our condolences to the family.
Sandie and Ian McConvey
Sending our condolences to Maria, Keki and Tony. We have fond memories growing up with such kind neighbours.
Beni was a true gentleman, always positive and kind! He was a gem of a man.
May his love be eternally felt..
Sending lots of love to the family in this difficult time.
God Bless
Caroline Gaughan
Wonderful soul, rest in peace!