Obituary of Pasquale Luigi Clementi

On May 4, 2020 Pasquale Luigi (Gino) Clementi passed away peacefully at the Post Inn Village Oakville at 94 years of age. Beloved husband to Stella (Knautz), loving father to Laura (Karen), Gary (Germana), proud Grandpa to Alexandra, and brother to Eugene (Tina). He is predeceased by sisters Ines and Letizia, brothers Albino and Nino.Gino was born on April 3, 1926 in Crodo Italy to Luigi and Lina (Bartolomea) Clementi. Gino lost his parents at a young age and worked hard to keep his family together. He eventually made his way to Lausanne Switzerland where he began training and earned a “Master Waiter” at L’École Hoteliers de Lausanne. In 1951 he immigrated with his lifelong friend Leo Boaglio to Toronto, where he began his career at The King Edward Hotel. While out with friends in a dance hall one Saturday night in 1953, he met the love of his life Stella. They were married at Mt. Carmel Church on April 24, 1954 and recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Gino rose quickly in Toronto’s hospitality scene working at many restaurants and hotels. He was instrumental in the success of The Port’s of Call, one of the city’s innovative and unique dining complexes. He later with his brother Eugene purchased the Quo Vadis restaurant, a well-known dining spot frequented by many of the city’s celebrities. Gino loved and cherished his family. No matter what he did or achieved his focus was to make a better life for them. By now Gino and Stella had acquired a summer home and a winter condo in Florida where they happily spent their retirement years with their close friends. His great renditions of Ave Maria in the shower, his card and billiard playing skills, and his Caesar salad will not be forgotten. He was very social and enjoyed entertaining and travelling, good food and wine. Gino had a kind heart, was quick to laugh, lend a hand and share his table with friends and family. He enjoyed golf, formula one car racing and tending his garden at the lake. In Florida the local park was often filled with cheers from a bocce ball game, or laughs from a picnic table with wine glasses in hand. In his later years he and Stella moved into a retirement residence and together celebrated life with new friends. He became a devoted care giver to Stella as she struggled with dementia. No matter where he went or who he met, his charming and affable nature was contagious. In his last few years Gino was so appreciative of the love, kindness and care that he and Stella received from family, friends, Parkland on the Glen and Post Inn Village. Gino’s journey has come to an end. May he rest in peace forever in our hearts.Donations can be made to: The Alzheimer Society of Toronto https://alz.to/give/ or Post Inn Village Long Term Care (through the Willow Foundation) - https://willowforseniors.ca/donations/ give-today/ in memory of Pasquale (Gino) ClementiPlease take a moment and sign the online guest book.