After a long and courageous battle with post herpetic nerve pain and pulmonary fibrosis, Igino Pasquale Di Lorenzo passed away with loved ones at his bedside on Thursday, March 29th, 2018 Trillium Health Centre-Mississauga, at the age of 83. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anne Di Lorenzo and was the loving father to Christopher (Tia Maria) and Steven (Chiara). He will always be cherished and deeply missed by his grandchildren Salina and Marcus.
Igino was born May 23rd, 1934 to Carmen and Maria Di Lorenzo in the town of Corfinio, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. At the age of 20, although reluctant, he left his home to join most of his family in an attempt to start a new life in Toronto. Through challenging times Igino was motivated and found multiple opportunities for work as a concrete foreman, press operator, waiter and a real estate agent. After a few years he discovered his entrepreneurial spirit by opening several pizzerias and found success with each of them, most notably Romeo's Pizzeria which he operated in south Etobicoke for over 3 decades. On September 14, 1963, he married Anne Pasiak and they went on to have two sons, Christopher and Steven. When he could step away from the restaurants he enjoyed being in his prized garden, watching soccer or classic movies, listening to Sinatra & Dean Martin, reading his newspapers and taking Anne and the boys for a quick getaway to Niagara Falls, often times going to his favourite restaurant, Como's, just across the border.
Over the years he also managed to create a long and deep network of friends that included Peter, Nick, John, Frank, Giovanni, Faldino and Salvatore, just to name a few. Together they had many laughs, many toasts and of course many empty pizza boxes.
In his late retirement days Igino got involved in one of his other passions, the auction business. But, not even the thrill of buying/selling could hold back his natural urge and gift for providing quality fast food for all patrons to enjoy in this setting. For many, many years, Gino's Cafe was dinner and he was happy to serve just as always.
Igino is predeceased by his brother Antonio, sister Elisa and survived by his loving sister Renza. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario St., Mississauga (Hwy. 10, N of QEW) on Sunday April 8th from 5-9 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Dominic's Church, 625 Atwater Ave at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 9th, 2018. Entombment at Holy Cross Mausoleum.