Angelo Donato GALLO

GALLO, Angelo Donato
Angelo Donato Gallo was born in Vinchiaturo, Campobasso in the Molise region of Italy on June 8, 1935. He left Italy at age 17 and arrived at Pier 21 in 1952. He made his way to Montreal to join his father Paolo, who had arrived in Canada the previous year. He found his first job within 24 hours of arrival, without speaking French or English, by combing through the Montreal phone directory looking for familiar Italian names and speaking to whomever he reached in search of employment. He was a generous and charismatic personality, able to make friends in unlikely places. From humble beginnings, he developed a successful career in manufacturing both as the owner of his own business and by working for projects involving multinational companies and the Canadian International Development Agency. He was courted by global companies in Canada and abroad because of his skills, integrity and strong work ethic. He loved what he did and was very good at it. He took his wife and family across the glove to Jordan, Israel, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Russia, the Philippines, the West Indies and across Latin America, as well as remote areas of Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. His time abroad gave him the opportunity to witness many of the late 20th century's defining moments, including Tiananmen Square, the fall of the USSR and Yeltsin's defence of the Duma from atop a tank in Moscow. It also put him in harm's way, such as when he escaped just in time by the back door of his hotel during the 1990 Dushanbe riots or when he sought refuge in a South American embassy during an anti-Aquino coup d'état. He will be missed by his wife of 55 years, Carmen Rosa, as well as his daughter Carolina (Eric Richer La Flèche), son Angelo (Lydia Urbanczyk) and grandchildren Gersande, Morgane, Charles- Erik, Alannah, and Miranda, and he leaves his brothers, Franco (Lina), Mario (Giovanna), Claudio deceased 2016 (Julia), seven nieces and nephews and 10 great-nephews and nieces. Each member of his family was treasured and nothing made him happier than to see them all reunited. A very special thanks to the great staff of the IUGM for their wonderful care. Visitations will be at the Loreto Funeral Parlour on Thursday, May 19, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. A memorial service will take place at the Church Madonna di Pompei on Friday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the IUGM Foundation, Alzheimer Society, Heart Foundation or Lung Cancer Foundation.