Life without dad, is like cake without the frosting

If you want to know the name of a man who was at once an exceptional and loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather, I can tell you with certainty his name was Mario Giuseppe Canonico. To those he left behind to watch over from up above, he was many things. He was first and foremost a loving being, with an intuition that surprised most of us. But in our daily life he was the chauffer, barber/hairstylist, gardener, dishwasher/dryer, Mr. Fix-it, and the one to tell you were doing things wrong, because he felt you needed to do it better. He watched over his family like a hawk. He was generous in every way with his time, skills, money and love and to this he dedicated himself until 3 months ago when for the first time in his life, ever, he took ill.

His wife Delfina of 59 years and the best nurse to dad in the world was his first and only love. They were dance partners since they met, until the last dance they had in April 2015, when the North of Dixie band played a full set at dad’s house. Together they lived a full life, working toward their responsibilities, goals and dreams, and when the day was done they played cards and made puzzles, it was these simple things that made them happy.

He had two passions that kept him a jovial being, cycling and music. The last time my dad cycled was a warm and sunny day in October 2014, at 82. Weather permitting he cycled every day of his summers and averaged 50km every time, he put many 20, 30, 40… year olds to shame.
Dad was a barber by day and musician by night. He was a sought-after contracted musician Saturdays and Sundays and loved to play so much that he also belonged to community bands in his spare time…

He was most happy when he moved to Newmarket, Ontario from Montreal, Quebec, having the opportunity to be part of 4 exciting bands: The Newmarket Citizens Band, After Hours Big Band, North of Dixie Jazz Band, and what we call Jack’s Band. He made friends, and he was very grateful to be part of these bands. Dad spoke Italian, French and Spanish, fluently, but struggled with English. When he joined these bands in Newmarket, music was the primary language spoken among band members, in which he was fluent. Let me take a moment to say to you band members that you gave him 15 very happy musical years. Dad played the clarinet, tenor saxophone, violin and the mandolin and was excellent at it. His secret is not that big of a secret, to be really good at something you have to love it, but you also have to practice too. He practiced on a regular basis all his life until he got sick.

“On your chart”, I told the doctors in March, “he’s 83, but his body, mind and spirit, is more that of a 50 year old.” We don’t know when we’re going to go, nor how we’re going to go, but while we’re here, we do the very best we can in everything we do. If you want to know the secret to living a fulfilling life, take my dad’s word for it:

• move every day,
• find something that impassions you and do it every day,
• be giving of yourself and never be afraid of honest work,
• do things NOW not tomorrow, and certainly no dilly dallying
• and most importantly - love much.

He leaves behind a devoted and loving wife, an equally devoted and loving daughter, son in law, granddaughter and grandson. He also leaves behind all the friends gathered here today and those that couldn’t make it here today. The few days before he left this world to be in God’s Light, he was surrounded by his dear family: Delfina, Carla, John, Alessia and Adriano & Jennifer.

To say ‘we love you dad’ is an understatement. We miss you already, and we’ll always love you, to infinity and beyond. And that’s why life without you, is like cake without the frosting.

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