elevated 9mBXU It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Pio Rovazzi on Thursday, December 31, 2020, at age 95. A beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Nick (Sandi), Tom (Barb), Cathy (Brendan), Joanne (Steve) and Peter (Andrea); his brother Gino (Giulia); his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dearly loved Uncle to many Nephews and Nieces, as well as many Dear Cousins and his extended Family and Friends from far and wide.

Pio was predeceased by his loving wives, Elfia (1962) and Elenora (2004), his daughter Paddy (2015) and siblings, Maria, Massimo, Oliva, Pietrina, Anita and Angela.

elevated 9mBXU Born in the small hilltop village of Patrica in the Frosinone province of Italy in 1925, Pio spent long days working on the family farm before emigrating to Canada in 1949. He maintained that work ethic after arriving in Ontario and went on to a successful 35-year career at Canadian National Railway, where he climbed the ranks from labourer with a pick and shovel to a well-respected Assistant B & B Master of Bridges and Structures. Pio loved carpentry and continued that pursuit after retirement through general contracting, assisting friends and family with home renovations and building a quaint vacation home in North Carolina. Even as his eyesight waned, he refused to put down the saws. 

elevated 9mBXU Pio was often the head chef at crowded family gatherings, where he loved to share meals with his loved ones. Maintaining his roots, he always found joy in tending to a large vegetable garden. A yearly tradition was the harvesting of tomatoes to make into his homemade pasta sauce. 

elevated 9mBXU Above all, Pio will be remembered for his kindness, the attention he gave to the people around him and his willingness to lend a hand to those in need. He routinely attended church with a donation ready and lived life with a strong moral code. After 95 years, his job is finally done. The relationships he built with family and friends will be cherished and he will be truly missed.

elevated 9mBXU Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be a private family funeral service at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home on Monday, January 11 at 12 p.m. For those who wish to view this service, please click the link below. Online viewers, please be advised that the link will only go live 10 minutes prior to the service time.

elevated 9mBXU In lieu of flowers, the Rovazzi family requests that you consider making a donation in Pio’s memory to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (Villa Charities) 1-800-563-2642 or the Memory+ Group (Newmarket) info@memoriesplusgroup.com.

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