DAL PAI, Felice
It is with heart breaking sadness that the Dal Pai family announce the death of Felice, a dear husband, father, grandfather, mentor and best friend. The death occurred suddenly on Jan 8, 2013 as the result of a terrible motor vehicle accident. Felice is survived by Shirley, his wife of 54 years, sons Carlo (Sandra) and Gerry (Louise), grandchildren Amelia, Anthony, Kelsey and Kory, brothers Lino (Terrazina), Lorenzo (Anna Maria) and sister Paola (Otavio) Favero and sister-in-law Elsa Dal Pai of Casella D’Asolo Italy; sister-in-law Rena Reisewitz, and brother-in-law Roger (Micheline) Zulpo. He was predeceased by his parents Giuseppe and Erminia Dal Pai, brother Franco Dal Pai, Shirley’s parents, Peter and Annette Zulpo and brother-in-law Dieter Reisewitz. Felice was born December 4, 1932 in Casella D’Asolo, Italy. Working in the family shop from a young age, he mastered the millwright, welding and machinist’s trades. At the age of 24 he decided to come to Canada to work in the busy mining town of Kirkland Lake. Felice started work at the Wright Hargreaves Mine as a machinist. Upon the closing of the Wright Hargreaves Mine, he went on to work at the Adams Mine as the general maintenance foreman and retired from there when the mine closed. While attending one company picnic, he met a wonderful woman named Shirley. She always says she wondered who this handsome guy was wearing a suit to a picnic! He looked like a fine catch. Shirley would end up being his soul mate for life. He cherished his beloved wife Shirley and they shared a love that was everlasting. Felice was a master machinist, and could figure out how to do just about anything. He was affectionately known as the Five Star General—if you were going to do it, it would be done right! Nonno, as he was referred to by family members, was the picture of health. He was an 80 year old man in a 40 year old body. He took great pride in his family. He ensured that his grandchildren were well prepared for the expense of their educations and encouraged them to do well and always try their best at whatever they chose to do. He was beaming at the seven course meal Anthony prepared over the holidays to show his grandparents what he had learned in cooking school. For Felice, there was no greater gift than food. Kory always amazed Nonno with his many projects and developing mechanical skills. Kelsey’s passion for pasta has roots in Nonno’s cooking, and is certainly her favorite meal. One of Amelia’s first lessons from Nonno was how to properly slurp a strand of spaghetti. His grandchildren’s achievements have made him proud, and he has been there to support all of them. His garden, as all who have seen it can attest, was like something out of a magazine. The best thing about going to visit was that you always went home with a bag full of wonderful radicchio, peas and beans. His apple tree in the front yard boasts 4 different kinds of apples thanks to his grafting and gardening skills. His garlic was second to none. He was fortunate to have great neighbors who shared his bounty, and shared theirs with him. Felice valued all that nature provided. He loved to butcher and prepare the meat from the hunt. Sausage making and preparing tomatoes for sauce were things we did together on a frequent basis. These times were an opportunity for Nonno to share his lessons on life, and we all benefitted from his philosophies and insights, teaching us things that could never be read in books. Nonno loved to make his wine in the way intended. Each year involved a weekend trip to his cousin Benny’s to pick the local grapes and buy the California ones that made up his unique blend. Those who shared his wine could be assured it was always the best blend. His passion for food was the center of many of our gatherings, and he enjoyed preparing, cooking, and sharing it with family and friends. Whether it was working on a home project or going fishing and hunting, Felice always did it with his sons. Fishing and hunting trips will never be the same again. Many winter days were spent with his Paysans at the “Pizza Hut†as the ice shack was affectionately called. Thank you Joe, Vito, Bruno, Lou and Jamie for your friendship, we know you will terribly miss your fishing partner. His daily walks involved many discussions with friends along the way, and a stop in for coffee with Eugene and René. Thanks for the hospitality and friendship and to all those friends along his social path. Felice loved life, and lived each day to its fullest. As per Felice’s wishes cremation has taken place. Family and friends will gather at a later date for a private service to celebrate the life of this special man. In memoriam, donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Arrangements entrusted to the McDonald Funeral Home in Englehart. In Nature, everything is perfect, and nothing is perfect. Nonno, we know you are still right here walking beside us, showing us the way. Rest in peace gentle man…..you will never be forgotten.
Write your sympathies or tribute