Giancarlo Serrafero
elevated 5b2p4 August 11, 1935 – August 23, 2023
elevated 5b2p4 Visitation
Wednesday August 30, 2023 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
elevated 5b2p4 Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated 5b2p4 Funeral Mass
Wednesday August 30, 2023 at 1:30 pm
elevated 5b2p4 Chapel of St. Joseph- Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
elevated 5b2p4 Cremation
elevated 5b2p4 Cremation to be held privately
elevated 5b2p4 Obituary
elevated 5b2p4 It is with much sorrow and great love we mourn the passing of Giancarlo who left us August 23rd, 2023 in Richmond Hill. Predeceased by his father Carlo Serrafero, mother Letizia Berthod Serrafero and sister Nella Serrafero Biondi. He leaves behind his loving wife Nicoletta Serrafero and family, son Federico (Antonietta), daughters Laura (Chris) and Micaela (Alfredo) and five grandchildren Nicole, Valentina, Julia, Giacomo and Maria Luisa.
elevated 5b2p4 Giancarlo was born raised in the mountain town of Courmayeur at the foothill of Mont Blanc in the French-speaking region of Valle D’Aosta in north-eastern Italy. Being born in the mountains Giancarlo had a passion for mountain climbing, hiking and skiing, which he enjoyed throughout most of his life.
elevated 5b2p4 He moved to Milan for his high school studies and graduated with a geometra (Civil Engineering diploma). He joined the Italian compulsory one year of military service and followed that up with officer training in the Alpini (Mountain Corp) where he advanced to a Lieutenant rank. Giancarlo was always proud of this accomplishment and had often fond memories of this period.
elevated 5b2p4 He met the love of his life Nicoletta in Monza and were married in 1961. The same year they moved to Genova where Giancarlo started his work career with one of Italy’s largest cement and concrete product company. His son Federico and daughter Laura were born shortly thereafter and daughter Micaela followed. Giancarlo was a dedicated father and passionate about his work. In 1976 Giancarlo and Nicoletta decided to move to Canada as Italy was in mist of social and economic upheaval, to provide their children a better life and opportunities. Giancarlo an entrepreneur at heart started his own business of importing and distributing racing bicycles from Italy, his second passion. This culminated in Giancarlo and partner spearheading the process to bring the Road Cycling World Championships to Canada in Hamilton in 2003, for only the second time in this 100 years old event.
elevated 5b2p4 Giancarlo attended to his business well into his late years. He always took great joy in gathering for a lunch or dinner with family and friends. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife. Giancarlo took much pride in his children and grandchildren accomplishments over the years.
elevated 5b2p4 Donations: pspsocietycanada.ca
To the Serrafero family, Armon and I wanted to send our deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad and husband Giancarlo. Your devotion and love was always there. May you find peace and calmness in your heart. Sending you 💓
Lontana ma vicina con tutto il cuore a te ed ai tuoi figlioli e famiglia ie mie condoglianze.
saro’ presente al funerale con voi per dargli l’ultimo saluto.
Grazie Thea dei bellissimi fiori ! Un abbraccio ❤️
Nicoletta
Thank you so much Inna ❤️
Porgo le più sentite condoglianze alla Signora Nicoletta, a Federico, a Laura, a Micaela ed ai familiari tutti.
Un abbraccio in questo momento di immenso dolore.
Ricordo tuo papa con tanto affetto e mando un forte abbraccio a tutti voi. Pensando a voi – Francesca
Ho tanti ricordi di Giancarlo, ogni volta che tornava in Italia veniva con Nicoletta a trovare i miei genitori e più che parenti ho sempre pensato che fossero amici. Era sempre elegantissimo, vivace e spiritoso. Gli piaceva tanto parlare di politica e si infervorava ogni volta, lui continuava ad amare la sua Italia anche se amava molto anche la sua nuova Patria, il Canada. Amava soprattutto la buona tavola, il buon vino e gli amici. Era davvero una gran persona. Fai buon viaggio Giancarlo adesso tu e il mio papà Dino potrete stare di nuovo insieme e ricordare i bei tempi passati insieme. Un abbraccio affettuoso a Nicoletta, Laura Federico e Lella oltre che ai generi e ai nipoti tutti
Papa as I affectionately call you,it’s hard to turn the page when someone you care for will be in the next chapter but life must go on. But I do know that the people we care for never us and they will always be in our hearts. Papa you and your family welcome me to your home and showed me affection and made me part of the family even though I was a care giver. Thank you papa and your family, may your soul rest in peace.
Francesca
grazie di cuore
Un abbraccio
Nicoletta Fede Laura Lella
Caro Giancarlo, cari cugini, è’ con estremo dolore che salutiamo un uomo che ha saputo apprezzare le gioie della vita e della famiglia. Quando venivi in Italia ti aspettavamo con ansia. Ricordo i nostri pranzi nelle Langhe a base di tartufo e Barolo, e io – il piccolo del gruppo e designed driver- riaccompagnavo a casa te, il papà e lo zio Germano. ( Salutameli quando li vedi!)
Quanto russavate in macchina!
Sono stati momenti indimenticabili, e ho sempre pensato che mi sarebbe tanto piaciuto avervi più vicino per vivere con te, Nicoletta, Federico Laura e Lella tanti momenti gioiosi. Ma la vita vi aveva portati in quel paradiso che è’ Toronto.
Amavi Courmayeur, Monza ma soprattutto amavi la vita. Ci mancherai Giancarlo! Accenderò una candela per te nella chiesa della tua Courmayeur.
Paolo, Lola e Alice
Caro Giancarlo ti penso in cielo con Dino a ricordare le bellissime giornate passate insieme.
Riposa in pace!
A Nicoletta figli e tutta la famiglia le mie piu sentite condoglianze.