Valerio Santamaria
elevated s641W October 27, 1937- May 26, 2024
elevated s641W Peacefully at Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga Hospital.
elevated s641W Valerio Santamaria passed peacefully with his loving family by his side on May 26, 2024 at the age of 86. Fondly known as ‘Val’, his kind and affectionate spirit is carried on by his cherished wife Amy (Emilia), his children; Reyna and her husband Jey, Allister and his wife Claire, and Vera. His treasured grandchildren – Nathan, Nigel and Julia – will miss their Papa Val.
elevated s641W Val was born in Siolim Goa, India and joyfully grew up with his parents and five older brothers. His childhood, where he was known by his first name, Florence, was filled with love and the innocent mischief of having many cousins around. He completed a BA and BEd in Pune, India and set his professional sights on a country far from his homeland: Canada. He landed at Toronto International Airport in 1968 with the dream of building a life here.
elevated s641W Being an educator was a calling for Val – a true source of pride, accomplishment and happiness. He began his Canadian teaching career working for the Greater Sudbury School Board and spoke fondly of his time there as he found his footing in his new homeland while making many lifelong friends. He briefly returned to India in 1971 to marry his beloved wife, Amy. Together in Sudbury, they started their new life together, raising a family.
elevated s641W In 1976, Val secured a position with the Toronto Catholic Separate School board and moved their family to Etobicoke. They settled in a house in Rexdale that together they’d make a vibrant home over the next 45 years. Their family grew and thrived, contributing in many ways to church, school, athletic and community life. Val taught elementary school but particularly loved teaching Grade 4, which he did over many years as a teacher at several Catholic schools in the North Etobicoke area. In fact, long after he retired in 1997, his former students would reach out to share how much Mr. Santamaria’s patience, thoughtfulness and dedication meant to them.
elevated s641W In his retirement years, Val enjoyed traveling abroad with Amy and his kids. Back at home, he looked forward to frequent visits from family, friends, grandchildren and grand-dogs. He loved reading the newspaper, cracking jokes and making puns. He was always ready for a game of carrom or an April Fool’s Day prank. He loved sharing insights on history, geography, religion and especially English grammar. He looked forward to the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, mango season and his wife’s delicious cooking.
elevated s641W But mostly, Val will be affectionately remembered by his family, extended family and his friends throughout the world as a gentle, affable man with a sweet tooth and a soft heart. A man with a great sense of humor, a ready laugh and a twinkle in his eye. A loving man who was happiest when surrounded by family.
elevated s641W Many thanks to his ever devoted wife Amy, who attentively took care of Val throughout their 52 year marriage.
elevated s641W We are also grateful to the care teams at Trillium Health Partners who helped make Val’s last months and weeks comfortable. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Covenant House Toronto or Baycrest Health Sciences in Val’s memory.
elevated s641W Visitation & Reception
Sunday, June 2, 2024
From 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Assumption Catholic Cemetery – Funeral Home Chapel
6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5T1N4
elevated s641W Funeral Mass
Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church
2547 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke, Ontario M9V 3A8
elevated s641W To watch live stream please click this following link. https://youtube.com/live/aRKbm8M9tK4
(backup link incase It’s just a duplicate channel running the same mass https://youtube.com/live/cugJpiZFSNA)
elevated s641W Private interment following the Funeral Mass.
elevated s641W The reception is being held on June 2 with no additional reception on June 3.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes charitable contributions in memory of Valerio’s life be made to Covenant House Toronto or Baycrest
elevated s641W
We share the sorrow of the loss of our dear friend and neighbour, and embrace you all in solidarity. So many lovely memories remain. With deepest condolences…
The LORENZONI family
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Our deepest condolences.
Laura and Carmela
Our deepest Condolences Auntie Amy, Reyna,& Jay, Alistair and Claire, Vera and all the grandchildren,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Uncle Val was a lovely man and I will cherish the memories I have of meeting him at my wedding 31 years ago.
May his soul RIP in eternal Grace.
On behalf of all of our Family, we send deepest condolences and warm hugs to Amy, Reyna, Jay, Alistair, Clare, Vera and the entire Santamaria Family during this heart breaking time.
We cherish the memories, kindness and love that Val brought into our lives.
Val leaves behind an eternal flame in our hearts. Rest in peace dear cousin.
Althea & Dave
Our deepest condolences to Amy and the Santemaria family on the passing of Val. We pray that the Lord will give you all strength and peace at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Val.
I send my deepest condolences to the Santamaria family. May memories of your beloved father sustain you during this difficult time.
Mr. Santamaria was my teacher in grade 4, over 45 years ago. I don’t remember many of my teachers but he definitely was one to remember as he always believed in me. He gave me lead role in a play at school which I thought I couldn’t do, but he saw something in me which I couldn’t see in myself. I will cherish all the memories.
He was an amazing teacher and will always be remembered!!
May he rest in peace.
My condolences to the family.
Our heartfelt sympathies on the demise of Val to Amy and family. May his dear soul Rest In Peace. Amen
Arm, your Husband, was the best man I’ve ever known! I’ll miss the joy he brought into my life. He was one of the kindest people I’ve met, and I was blessed to have known him. I’ll miss him greatly. I’ll always have wonderful memories of him, branded in the pages of my memory. Chatting about his past in Goa. He loved speaking Konkani with me. I’ve learned a lot from him.
I’m keeping you all in my thoughts.
My life had been touched by your presence Valerio. You are in God’s hands now. RIP
Our heartfelt condolences to Amy and the Santamaria family on the sad news of Val. We will cherish the fond memories we have of him especially at the Westend Seniors Club and his winnings at the Carrom Tournaments. May he rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord.
With deepest sympathies and prayers.
Lenny, Judy, Laura Lopes
As Val lived his life to the full, we celebrate his accomplishments towards family and the community, thanking God for someone so special.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
We offer our sincere condolences to Amy and the family in their bereavement.
On behalf of the Sequeira Family, we send
our deep condolences to dear Amy & family. May the soul of dear Florence Rest in the Peace & Love of Jesus Christ.
My sincere condolences to Vera and the entire Santamaria family. Prayers for strength during this difficult time. May the soul of your beloved father be at eternal rest.
My deepest sympathies to you Amy and your family. May God give you the comfort and peace that you seek and may the soul of Val rest in peace.
Mr. Santamaria was my grade 4 teacher, I remember him fondly. I’m saddened to hear of his passing. May he rest in eternal peace.
With my deepest sympathy, I hope that, even though your world is so dark right now, you are soon able to see some light in the memories you had with your loved one. May Mr. Santamaria live unceasingly within the memories of his loved ones.
Dear Amy and family,
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your
loving husband Val. We remember him fondly as a kind and gentle person. We will keep Val and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts go out to you and your family in this sad time.
My sincere condolences on the passing of Val. He will be remembered for his “ants in the mixed nuts, ants in the sugar” antics when we were children in Sudbury. We were witness to his arrival in Sudbury his marriage to Amy and the births or Rena, allister and Vera. Their one bedroom apartment at Kent court where we would run the halls while my parents chatted with Val and Amy. Again our heart felt condolences to the entire Santa Maria family
I have many memories of Val coming to visit us in our Val Caron home. I remember Val as a single man and as a married devoted man as well. Amy is a sweet soul. I have fond memories of Val playing “ants in the pants” but with a twist, “ants in the mixed nuts or ants in the sugar bowl etc. Another fond memory of a meal he prepared in our home. This had to have been a 7-8 course meal. All authentic foods prepared by Val. As a very young lad I recall the smells but mostly I recall how spicy hot it was for a ~~ 10 year old. Then one day he come over as a married man with Amy. We were all so proud of him and were also quite impressed by Amy. He did very well for himself by marrying Amy and I fully remember saying that to myself. I also remember the announcement of them moving to the Toronto area to further his career. The last visit before they left was a very tearful one. One that had a permanence to it. We would miss them terribly and we knew it.
Rest in Peace, Val. You did well with career and family. You had a long successful life.
Amy stay strong. I think of you and your 3 children often as big influencer in my life. I still have the cross Val gave me at my grade 8 confirmation.
Oh my Jamie! You hit the nail on the head. It was a sad day when the Santamaria family moved to Etobicoke. Besides the smoking hot meal, the ants in the mixed nuts, I remember the apartment and the joy of playing with his portable typewriter. But mostly I remember the smile, the laughter and the soft spoken confidence he exuded. A very special man. The world is so much better because of him and the influence he has had on so many people.