It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Mario Campagnolo on June 12, 2023 at Hospice Wellington, in his 90th year.
Mario was born on March 22, 1933 to Nazzareno and Maria Campagnolo in Galliera, Veneta, Italy.
He was the much-loved eldest of 8 children and will be sadly missed by Remo, Aldo, Bruna and Ivana (predeceased by Bruno, Agnese and Franco).
He came to Canada in 1957 with nothing more than a strong work ethic and a suitcase full of hopes and dreams.
In 1958, he was reunited with his sweetheart, Miranda, and they married soon after, sharing 64 years of love and devotion.
Together they built a beautiful life. They raised two adoring children, Laura (Mark Cullen) and Mauro and provided them with unconditional love and support.
Mario worked at Fiberglas Canada (now Owens Corning) for most of his career until retirement.
An avid outdoorsman and enthusiastic fisherman, Mario spent many summers camping with his young family on the shores of Georgian Bay until he purchased a cottage at Christie Beach.
Puttering in his garden, and going for long walks, no matter the weather, brought Mario great peace and joy.
He was grateful for the beauty of nature and always sang the praises of Canada, considering it was one of the best countries in the world.
Mario was completely devoted to his family and as it grew, so did his pride. He was the dedicated Nonno to Paul (Lauren Beechey), Dan, and Zoë (Parker Grant) and the delighted great-grandfather of Lydia. He was ecstatic to learn that Zoë and Parker are expecting their first baby later this year.
Our Nonno Mario was a kind and gentle man. His smile could light up a room and warm your heart. He was a student of life and life-long learner. A Renaissance man and survivalist. He was an enthusiastic wine maker, bread baker, butcher and handy man who started recycling before it became mainstream. Nonno could wield an axe or build a deck and was always able to find that little piece of pipe (or nuts and bolts) he’d saved from his last project that you needed for this one. He dabbled in woodworking and cheese making. He loved to sing out loud and whistled a tune as he worked on any new project. He would often dance in the kitchen, just because. He loved animals and they loved him. There were countless canine companions completely devoted to him and he was sometimes leery of people who didn’t like dogs. He was a dedicated Habs fan and F1 fanatic.
Nonno Mario was an avid listener, and confidante. He collected friends wherever he went and held them close to his heart. He was a devoted husband, loving dad, and passionate Nonno.
He taught us to love and accept one another with kindness and respect. He loved life…a life well lived.
Many nieces and nephews and countless friends and family will miss Mario.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Rosemary Danielli and her staff for their kindness and compassion. The Bayshore Palliative group, Guelph Wellington Paramedics, the doctors and nurses of Guelph General Hospital (ER and 4th Floor West) and the staff at Hospice Wellington for providing Mario with the compassion and dignity he deserved at the end of his life, here, with us.
Resting at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph, there will be no visitation taking place. The family invites friends and relatives for a Funeral Mass on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at St. John’s Parish, 45 Victoria Rd. N., Guelph, beginning at 10:30am.
In Mario’s memory donations to Hospice Wellington would be greatly appreciated.
“He lived a big life. Non ti dimenticheremo mai.”