MERENDA, Giovanni - (May 18th, 1942 - March 16th, 2021) -
Giovanni Merenda was born on May 18, 1942 in the town of Collepasso in the region of Puglia, Italy to Antonio and Elvira Merenda.
He was the 3rd son with 8 brothers and sisters being Cosimo, Antonietta, Giuseppina, Cristina, Luigi, Albertino, Maria and Fernando for a total of 9 children altogether. With very humble and very hard-working beginnings in an era where times were tough, which bred resilient, hard workers and strong family ties.
As a child he both worked the farms with his entire family and went to school with visions of grandeur, success and travel in his future. As he grew up in a farming town, close to some of the worlds most beautiful beaches, with the freshest fish, fruits, and tastiest vegetables and dishes you will find anywhere on earth, with a population of roughly 5000 inhabitants he always kept his hometown cherished and sacred while knowing there was an entire world he wished to see, explore and conquer.
At the age of 16 he left and headed north to Milan where he began sweeping floors in barber shops, where he learned the trade of hair styling and fashion; which he carried forward through Switzerland and Germany where he furthered his skills and also learned the German language.
After a few years of this he set the controls for America, as were so many of the dreams of the visionaries of those times to pursue a better and more prosperous future. With his final stop to be Saskatchewan, Canada, where many immigrants at the time were needed to farm, Giovanni already having paid his dues in the farming fields of Italy, decided to de-plane in Toronto, Canada as his final destination.
Being a strong, smart, witty, charming, persistent man, he found his first apartment near High Park at 112 Wright Ave. All alone he spent many months and even his first Christmas all alone getting to know his new surroundings and environment as well as learning English, which at the time would have been his 4th language already speaking Italian, French and German.
From here he went on to a career in Real Estate, being one of the top brokers in Toronto selling thousands of properties over his 50 year career as an honorary member of the Toronto Real Estate Board. Not only did he act as an agent but also as an investor, owner, developer, and renovator. This trait he most definitely passed on to 2 of his 4 children, Darren and David. His love of languages was channelled through his baby girl Loredana and his love of food was channeled through his youngest son Giovanni Jr. to pursue the culinary arts.
Some of his other passions and pastime in life included the love of making wine, gardening, sightseeing, taking long walks on the beach, story telling and gathering with his family and friends to enjoy home cooked meals together. He loved going to festas and being a part of the traditions with which he grew up in, in Southern Italy. He had a zest for life and he was a man who definitely did things his way. He was very strong-minded and strong willed. He was a man who always strived to teach all his children how to be smart, strong, independent, resilient, persistent, and all round loving humans beings. He was a very power force and influence and his presence was alway felt the moment he walked in any room.
He leaves behind his 4 beautiful children, his real estate empire which now spans over 3 countries, his loving Lady Patricia, his long time and loving best friend Julie and a lifetime of memories. He will always be remembered and leaves behind a huge gaping hole in all of us.
Love, lava, e stira!!! Ciao Dad!!
Arrangements entrusted with Ward funeral homes, Weston chapel.
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