Pasquale John De Pippo
September 25th 1923 – August 2nd 2018

It is with both sadness and fond memories that we announce the passing of Pasquale (Pat) De Pippo. Pat was predeceased by his late wife Val De Pippo, and son; Micheal De Pippo. He is survived by his brother Joe De Pippo, daughters Patricia Johnson and Paula De Pippo. Grandchildren; Sarah (Blair), Michelle (Andy), Kaylm (Courtney) and Sean (Mandy). Great-grandchildren Kolby, Zoey, Eastyn, Axyl, Stenysn, Brynn and Awzy. Pat will also be missed by his Nieces, Nephews and many friends he acquired for over 94 years.
In Toronto, on September 25th 1923, young parents Anthony and Concetta welcomed Pasquale John De Pippo into their lives. He was later called Pat, and probably many other names but we will refer to him as Pat. Growing up in Mimico with his siblings, Joe, Benny and Laura must have been a challenging yet exciting time that helped to shape the character that Pat became. Pat will be greatly missed and remembered for his love of life, sense of humor, hardworking nature and his spaghetti dinners.
During Pats younger years he would be found playing Lacrosse, in fact he always challenged me to find him in the team pictures. Of course I could point him out right away, short guy with the hair, oh and those eye brows! Off the field Pat was known to enjoy some beverages such as beer, wine and whiskey. Which probably gave him the courage to chase all the women. I mean I heard he was quite the ladies man. In 1943, Pat joined the Merchant Marines, where he served as a crew member aboard merchant ships. Then from Jan 1944 - Feb 1945, Pat was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war was over Pat worked for Avro Canadian Aircraft Manufacturing and then eventually for McDonnell Douglas from 1950 until retirement in 1983.
In the early 1950’s Pat and Val were married and bought their first home together at 1 Dunning Crescent, over the next few years they welcomed and raised their three children. Pat prided himself on being a fair father, sometimes that meant being strict. He was also a very outgoing person, a true people person who loved to joke around. Pat enjoyed taking his family to Manitoulin Island every summer and continued his ritual of Sunday dinners and family card games.
As time passed, the children moved out and no longer needed him, Pats life continued in full Speed. Pat played on bowling leagues, golfed numerous courses throughout the area and enjoyed his trips to Rama. Pat also spent 30 or more winters in Florida, playing shuffle board, lawn bowling and spending time with friends doing BBQ’s and other senior activities that only happens in “senior parks” (wink wink). Pat had lots of different hobbies and interests over the years such as, watching dog races in Florida, drinking beer at the Blue Goose, playing card games and hosting many family BBQ’s at 1 Dunning Crescent. Family was always important to him he showed it by always sending birthday cards to his children and then to his grandchildren and then to his Great grandchildren. Pat knew when he had to get his cards out on time.
Some interesting stories have sparked our memories from sifting through old photographs that we would like to share. Pat once won a live turkey in a poker game, he brought it home to 1 Dunning Crescent where the neighbors were in shock to see this farm animal in the city. Pat took it to his mother’s house where she chopped off its head and plucked the bird, apparently it turned into quite the spread for thanksgiving that year
Pat and his brother Joe flew to Florida one time, doesn’t sound like much of a story but I heard that they built the plane in a basement and then assembled it outside then flew it to Florida. They started out wearing typical Canadian winter attire and arrived in Florida in their shorts.
In the early 1980’s Pat must have been golfing everyday, he perfected his golf swing at Scarlet Woods Golf Course and got his first and only hole-in-one on the 13th hole. Last time we golfed he dug out his belt buckle that he won to have bragging rights. Pat did have bragging rights, he was golfing full rounds up into his early 90’s, of course he insisted on having a cart. Two years ago at Scarlet Woods, Grandpa, Andy and I were going to play a round of golf. Of course we were late arriving, but grandpa was there waiting in the parking lot with a bag of beers and banana bread. Told us to hide those beers and get moving, we were holding up the t-times.
Pat will be remembered for his spaghetti and meatball dinners, don’t ask him what’s in the meatballs. Oh and if you don’t like what’s he cooking “Go down the street…. around the corner…. there is a Piezon’s”. Pat lived at 1 dunning Crescent for over 60 years, so many memories for Patricia and Paula. The memories continued for Sarah, Kaylm, Sean and myself. Even some of Pats older Great grandchildren also got to experience life at 1 Dunning Crescent. Sarah lived with Grandpa for a short time while attending College, they got to know each other very well over this time. And Ill leave it at that. Kaylm remembers summer holidays to 1 Dunning Crescent, riding bikes, running through sprinklers and BBQ’s in the garage. Sean and Grandpa would shoot hoops in the driveway and spend time watching their favorite programs together. Sean shared that he will fondly remember 1 Dunning Crescent, as it was a place that had access to free movies. Around 1996-97, Sean spent a lot of weekends with Grandpa at his house where they would watch two movies repeatedly “Happy Gilmore” and “That thing You Do”. It got to the point where, in years later, if Sean brought up those movie titles, Grandpa would joke about hating those films, despite how many times they watched those movies, they both secretly enjoyed those times together.
In 2003, I took Kolby to Toronto to meet everybody, on our first day at Grandpas house at 1 Dunning Crescent Grandpa’s dentures were missing and were suspected to have fallen into the toilet. Uncle Mike took the toilet off, they were searching down the drain, using snakes and other plumbing tools to try to locate the missing dentures. After hours of searching and brainstorming and some yelling back and forth between Grandpa and uncle Mike. They took a look at the bottom of the toilet and staring back at them was the top set of Grandpas dentures smiling at them. Well the case of the missing dentures was now solved.
Early morning of August 2nd Pat De Pippo passed away, he was a month shy of his 95th birthday. Pat is a perfect example of someone who lived a long and fulfilling life. Pat wouldn’t want us to be sad that he’s gone but celebrate that he was here…. for almost 100 years. We will miss the phone calls, mostly chatting about the weather and how everyone is doing. We will miss the birthday cards, the Christmas wishes and the sound of your voice, which was usually yelling because he was mostly deaf. Our memories of 1 Dunning Crescent have remained constant over the years, even though its changed so much. Let our memories of Pat De Pippo, Our Dad, Uncle, Brother, Grandpa, Great-grandpa and friend live on through us all even though he’s gone. Rest Easy Grandpa. Sending Love from us all