ARCANGELO (ANGELO) FOTI

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ARCANGELO (ANGELO) FOTI
October 19, 1931 – December 10, 2021

With great sorrow, the Foti family announces the passing of our beloved Patriarch, Arcangelo (Angelo) Foti on December 10, 2021, at age 90. Surrounded by his children and wife, Arcangelo passed peacefully knowing he was loved immensely.
Angelo is survived and will be lovingly remembered and missed by his loving wife of 61 years and love of his life, Olga, children, Tony (Candida Cerri) of Murfreesboro, TN, Joe (Claudia) of Treherne, MB, Carmela-Crystal (Mike Syring) of Abbotsford, BC and Angelo Jr. (Carrie) of Winnipeg, grandchildren, Justin Foti, Devyn Foti-Dickinson (Blake), Michael Foti, Dayne Foti (Taylor) and Angelina Foti. Also left to mourn his brother Franco Foti (Antonella), sister-in-law Carmela Foti (Rocco), and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all over the world.
Our Papa was predeceased by his parents, Antonino and Giuseppina Foti, siblings, Rocco Foti, Carmela Militano (Domenico), and Domenica Nocida (Cosmo).
Born in Cosoleto, Reggio Calabria, Italy in 1931, Dad dreamed of a way to make a better life for himself and his future family. Leaving southern Italy as a young man, Dad went North with nothing more than an entrepreneurial spirit and incomparable work ethic which carried him his entire life. His early life journeys included selling/growing flowers in Legnano and Ventimiglia, logging in Valle d'Aosta and various other business ventures. In 1956, he decided to join his sister in Winnipeg and immigrated to Canada taking various jobs including working as a dishwasher at the Hotel Fort Garry, until he found a passion in concrete. He returned to Italy where he met the love of his life while waiting for a bus connection in a nearby town. She was watering flowers on the balcony when he saw her and it was love at first sight. Within five weeks he had married Olga and off to Canada they went. In June of 1960, they arrived in Halifax Pier 21 aboard the Olympia with 2000 plus other immigrants seeking the same better life that he was.
It wasn't long after his arrival, that he founded the Manitoba Concrete Finishers Association and started Italian Concrete and Excavation, a company that not only provided the better life he wanted but one that would come to employ and assist other immigrants wanting to come to Canada for the same reasons. He took in many newcomers, providing employment, housing and creating lifelong friendships. His sons worked alongside him until he finally retired at age 84. His sons continued the business and he would often come to the job sites and review their work to ensure it was up to his standards.
Papa had a wonderful sense of humour and a passion for recounting stories of his life with an animated flair that only he could do. Although diminutive in stature, his personality was larger than life and his gregarious manner would win everyone's heart. Always joking and clowning around, it was difficult to take a serious picture of him and at the last second, he would give his trademark "gringia". He always had a twinkle in his eyes, loved people and gave selflessly.
First and foremost, he was a family man always there to help, guide and stop at nothing to protect his own. He was immensely proud of his children and their accomplishments and always reminded them that they could do anything they put their minds and dedication to. He enjoying entertaining friends in his home, playing cards, and sharing his love of life. He loved gardening, with particular attention given to his beans and tomatoes and shared his bounty of garden vegetables with everyone. He enjoyed making wine from grapes and teasing other winemakers on how much better his wine was than theirs. He was artistic, open-minded and in awe of today's technology that allowed him to keep in close touch with his distant family using video chat. He was always present in the moment and lived a fulfilling life.
He will be forever missed by all those that loved him. The family asks that you reminisce about all the funny stories and great times we shared with him and know that one day we will all be reunited in paradise.

Riposa in Pace Papa.
Sarai sempre nei nostri cuori.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, December 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave., Winnipeg, with Rev. Fr. Sam Argenziano Presiding at the Eucharist. Those wishing to join the service virtually can do so using the following link:

https://youtu.be/mbYKoNVPPRM

Entombment will follow at the Chapel of Eternal Memories Mausoleum, 1501 Waverley Street, Winnipeg.

THOMSON "IN THE PARK"
204-925-1120
Condolences may be sent to
www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2021