It is with great sadness that the family of Aldo Elia announces his passing on July 23, 2024, at the age of 93.

Aldo will be lovingly remembered by his wife Marianne; children George (Marianne) and Mike (Johanne); grandchildren Nicolas, Danielle, Kirsten, and Rachael; and brother Virgilio. Aldo is predeceased by his parents Eugenio and Julia; and siblings Mariella, Egidio and Anna.

Aldo was born in Aprigliano, Italy in 1931 and arrived in Canada in 1951 to join his father and make a better life for himself, his parents and his siblings. Aldo worked two jobs repairing cars to help support his father and other family members back in Italy.

Always looking to improve himself, Aldo enrolled in an American engineering correspondence program, where he learned drafting and basic engineering. Soon after, Fenwick Automotive hired him as a mechanic, where he proved his worth by designing and building a successful transmission tester and then quickly rose through the ranks of the company to become supervisor. He was so respected and influential in the company that upper management allowed Aldo to hire his two brothers, Egidio and Virgilio, as mechanics, which helped them get their start in Canada.

While Aldo was a hard worker, he also enjoyed life and loved to go dancing whenever he could. He first met Marianne in 1957 at the German Club dance hall, where he gallantly asked her to dance. While she found him to be quite handsome, she was not interested as she had just arrived in Canada from Germany the year prior, spoke very little English and was still adapting to life in a new country. However, the patience and persistence that made Aldo a success in business soon led to a relationship and they began dating, often going to dance clubs where Aldo taught Marianne his dance moves, including the Jive! They eventually married in 1960 and had two sons: George, born in 1964 and Mike, born in 1967.

In 1968, Aldo and his two brothers decided to leave Fenwick Automotive to start their own business, North Keele Auto Repair. It was an ambitious undertaking as the facility was large, with 26 bays that could service both small vehicles and large trucks. Their business achieved much success with Aldo managing customers and continually bringing in new business, including the Ontario Ministry of Health, Unico and Canada Post to name a few.

Aldo’s business interests extended beyond the automotive service business into a successful commercial property rental enterprise. The brothers retired in 1998 with the sale of North Keele Auto, allowing Aldo to focus his energy on his rental properties, travel and, most of all, dance! He travelled the world with Marianne and they took ballroom and Latin dance lessons together, becoming beautiful dance partners. The highlight of their week was Friday night dancing.

Throughout his life, Aldo was a true gentleman, with kindness in his heart and complete devotion to his family, who meant everything to him. He would help anyone in need and was a model of integrity, honesty and generosity. Aldo left this world with the wish that his family was safe and secure. While we mourn his loss, we take comfort in knowing that he is no longer suffering and celebrate the remarkable person that he was.

A visitation will be held at the Turner & Porter Butler Chapel, 4933 Dundas St. W. Toronto, on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 10-11 A.M., followed by a Funeral Service at 11 A.M. The burial ceremony will be held afterwards at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 7300 Hwy 27 Woodbridge, followed by a luncheon at Mandarin Restaurant, 200 Queens Plate Dr. Rexdale.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Aldo’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society.