Obituary of George Ceolin

George Ceolin, 86, of Harrow, ON, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2025 surrounded by his children and grandchildren. George was known for his generosity, sense of humor, loyalty and dedication to family. He was formerly married to Maria (nee Savoni) for 25 years and is survived by his children, Lissa Barron (Bruce), Mark Ceolin (Karen Cvornyek), Antony Ceolin and Tania Ceolin from that union, as well as his partner of 40 years, Phyllis Vigh, and her children Julianna, Michael and Philip. He will also be missed by his six grandchildren - Elizabeth (John), Paul, Sara (Alex), Michaella (Quinton), Sebastian and Mattea, and two great-grandchildren, Angelina and Oliver. George is also survived by his siblings, Nello, Lauretta, Genoveffa and Silvano, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his siblings Anna, Marcellina, Vilma, Alberta, Ennio and Antonia.

George, who’s given name is Pier Giorgio, was born in northeast Italy on August 24, 1938 to Marcello Ceolin and Antinesca Pavan who lived in the town of Tiezzo in the province of Udine. The 8th of 11 children, George left home at the age of 15 and immigrated to Canada, joining his older siblings in Windsor, Ontario where he quickly became a local soccer star.

Having played as a youth in Italy, George joined the soccer teams at St. Angela Merici Church and the Giovanni Caboto Club where he was part of the first team from Windsor to win the Ontario Cup. He scored one of three goals for Caboto in their victory over the Sudbury team. George was also named to the Essex County All-Star team. As a father of three, he stopped playing soccer in 1964, but continued to share his passion for the sport by coaching youth. He took up bowling and joined a local league, taking his kids with him on league nights.

But while playing hard, George also worked hard, practicing the bricklaying trade he learned from his father. Eventually, he and his brother Nello started their own masonry business and George took pride in the many significant buildings he helped build in the Windsor area over more than 55 years. He was truly an artist, known for creative masonry like stone facades and fireplaces. He gave back to Caboto by volunteering his time for club renovations and expansions.

George was a lifetime member of both the Caboto and Fogolar Furlan Clubs. He was also a member of Windsor’s local International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) for 70 years. In his retirement, George enjoyed going to his clubs to meet up with friends and watch soccer, spending time with family, gardening, traveling the world, cooking and drinking wine.

Visitation to take place at Windsor Chapel Funeral Home - Central Chapel (1700 Tecumseh Rd. E) on Wednesday January 22nd 2025 from 2pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm. Parish prayers at 4:30pm. Funeral service on January 23rd 2025 at 8:45am from the funeral home then in procession to St Angela Merci Church (980 Louis Ave) for Funeral Mass at 9:30am. Committal prayers to take place following Mass at Windsor Memorial Gardens prior to cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.