Monday, January 14, 2019
We send our deepest condolences to John and Lori and Rick and Lori and families on the loss of your mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. We understand how difficult it has been for all of you this past year. Take comfort in knowing you did the best you could under the many unfortunate circumstances and that she is no longer suffering. She is now where she wanted to be - with Bruno, and in God's hands.. Ardia and Bruno were our closest friends, spending many hours together. Since Fr. Lino never signed their Marriage Certificate, we had a nice celebration at their house with them renewing their marriage vows in Fr. Lino's presence, who then signed their certificate and we became their witnesses. Since that time we have always called each other "Compare and Comare". Bruno convinced Mario to run for President of Caboto, and, despite his illness, Bruno made it to Caboto to vote for Mario. He knew that Mario won, but unfortunately Mario's first duty as President of Caboto was to lead the members at Bruno's funeral. It was Bruno & Ardia who kept Mario occupied while I prepared a surprise 50th Birthday party for Mario at home. It was Bruno who caught Mario when he was shocked to walk into a room full of people shouting "surprise", and Ardia who helped me with plans. It was with Bruno and Ardia that we enjoyed Hawaii, after Bruno passed Kidney Stones there. We also enjoyed golf together. Although we could not be in London with her during her heart valve operation and bleeding ulcer condition, we kept in touch . I watched Ardia go through her back operation, her breast operation, the loss of her mother and father, brother and sister and brother-in-law With them, we watched you boys grow, celebrated your marriages and your children's births. we were there in the hospital many times with her during Bruno's illness . She confided with me about her life prior to marriage and her sickness and poverty in Italy and other tragedies there. It has not been an easy life for Ardia, but her happiness came through being with her children and grandchildren. Despite her tragedies, concerns, fears, she has always been a very compassionate, understanding, considerate and loving woman and friend, always very concerned about her family and friends. Unfortunately because of my severe back problems, we were unable to visit her in Leamington until the last month, but were in constant touch by phone. We visited her 2 times in the hospital, and spoke to her last week on the phone. The last words I said to her was: "I love you, Ardia" and her answer was "I love you, too. Bye." Gone, but not forgotten, as her and Bruno's spirit live on in you and your children, and in the hearts of their friends..
