Giovanni Ritacca

It is with very heavy hearts that the family of Giovanni Ritacca informs of his passing on Saturday August 11, 2018, at the age of 78 years. Giovanni will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Francesca, of 55 years, his children Maria, Anna, Gaspare and Mauro, his sons-in-law Des and Marco, his daughers-in-law Sonia and Jill, and his grandchildren Alex, Claudia, Laura, Sara, Nicholas, Emma, Thomas, and Clara.

Giovanni will be remembered as a loving father, husband, and nonno. Family was always the most important thing in his life, and he often remarked that he felt like the wealthiest man in the world because of the family that he and Francesca raised. There is nothing that he was more proud of than his children and grandchildren.

Before coming to Canada, he apprenticed as a tailor, gaining an appreciation for style and fashion, which was always obvious in his personal appearance. After immigrating to Canada in 1958, he worked to make a good life for himself and his family, first as a tailor and then with a long and proud career in real estate, touching many lives as they created their own homes. He was always a man ahead of his time, teaching his children the importance of education and encouraging them on to successful professional careers.

He loved to spend time outdoors, especially when tending to his vegetable garden and fruit trees. Without a doubt, his home-grown tomatoes were his favourite meal. When not outside, he would often be found in his cantina, and was always proud of his home-made sausages, capicollo, and soppressata. He proudly passed on these traditions to his children.

The family will receive visitors at Ward Funeral Home, 2035 Weston Road, Toronto on Tuesday August 14, 2018 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Jane Frances Roman Catholic Church, 2747 Jane Street, Toronto.