Obituary of Remo O'DORICO

February 20th 1928 - September 8th 2022

Remo O'Dorico passed away peacefully at Headwaters Health Care Centre on September 8th, 2022 in his 94th year. Remo was born in the neighbourhood of New Toronto on Lake Ontario, in 1928 to Raymondo and Santina.

He loved to share his many experiences in life with friends and family, regaling all with stories of his many exploits. His stories were endless, from surviving the Great Depression to his teenage years spent building Lancasters at Victory Aircraft in the final years of WWII.

He loved to share his experiences as an amateur boxer. His final qualifications for the 1948 London Olympics, to his professional fights at Maple Leaf Gardens and Massey Hall.

Eventually he left boxing to pursue a career as a firefighter and was very proud to attain the Deputy Chief rank in the fire department formed by AVRO Canada, which served the town of Malton and the Toronto Airport. He loved to talk about the famous AVRO Arrow and watching its test flights. After the layoffs of Black Friday he was fortunate to be brought back to work. He spent his remaining years as a Fire Inspector at Orenda Engines Hawker Siddeley.

Remo and his wife Joy also operated Rico’s Fruit Market in Bolton, Ontario located on the south hill for nearly twenty years. They would often reminisce about the wonderful customers they had come to know during that time. They sold the business in 1974 before semi-retiring to a farm in Amaranth.They took up a hobby of raising and racing thoroughbreds and standardbreds as Remo continued to work at Orenda until his final retirement in 1993.

Remo’s big heart, good nature, love of animals and willingness to help often brought all manner of animals home. He especially loved his peacocks. His humour was known by all who knew him and in fact was often referred to as the “weed inspector” after a neighbour had to rescue his truck from a farmers field.

Remo was a dedicated father, Papa, and Great-Papa who always prioritized his family. He and Joy raised two children and were also blessed with the presence and antics of their three grandchildren who also lived on the farm and were always underfoot.

Remo was also a proud member of Amaranth Police Board for several years, participated in the Amaranth Rate-Payers Association and never shied away from making his environmental concerns known; particularly water conservation.

Remo is survived by his children Perry and Kimberley, his beloved dog Sophie, his grandchildren Diane (Michael), Perry Jr (Scara), and Logan (Kayla), great grandchildren Porter, Blake, Jason, Zachary, Jacqueline, and little Eleanor, brother Reno (Marion) nieces and nephews Belinda (Joe), Aldo, Tina (Rick), Yolanda, Kenny, Gary, Kathy, Raymie, Debbie (Randy), and Sandra (Justin). He was predeceased by his two infant children, his  parents Raymondo and Santina, siblings Yolanda (Jack), Ray (Virginia), Rosie, Rena (Harold), nephew Tony, niece Linda Lou and loving wife Joy.

Our family would like to thank the Emergency Room doctors and nurses at Headwaters Health Care Centre, Dufferin County Paramedic Services, staff at Comfort Keepers, Doctor Sumabat and the Shelburne Residence for the care they provided over the last year.

Special thanks goes to Nurses Satinder, Rama, Trish, and Kelly. Personal Support Workers Carol, Denise, Amber, Shannon, Nancy, Diana, Erin, Lesia, and Shelley Weatherby, who went above and beyond working directly with Remo, and the ongoing care of practitioner Linda Kennedy. Thank you for loving him like we do.

Cremation has already taken place. A Memorial Service is to be held at a later date, yet to be determined.

Memorial donations may be made in Remo’s name to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (https://www.osas.ca/donations) or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.infunerals.com

In Memoriam Funeral Services Inc. has been given the honour to serve the O'Dorico family.