Piergiorgio Gelli (to many in Canada known as ‘George’ or ‘Giorgio”) was born on Nov 22, 1941 in San Giustino, Italy. He was raised in a loving family by his father Astor who was a tailor and his mother Teresa, who owned a flower shop. He is survived by his brother Giuseppe and wife Ilva from Italy; they are with us today. He is also survived by, from his first marriage, daughter Francesca (granddaughter Lucrezia) in Italy, and son Daniele who is also here today.

Giorgio was educated in a traditional Catholic school in Italy. He spent hours studying the Bible and praying with the monks, was in the choir and learned traditional singing. Later Giorgio earned an accounting diploma; accounting became the focus of his work which led him to becoming a financial controller and general manager. Over his working career he was employed with many companies including Nestle, Caterpillar, and Inghirami Fashion Company. Eventually in 2002 he retired and in 2005, moved to Canada becoming a Canadian citizen on Nov 10, 2015.

George met Daisy Liu Li in 1999 when he worked in Shanghai, China at Inghirami Fashion Co. Daisy was a Business Developer and Giorgio was a General Manager. They “developed” a relationship, falling in love and getting married in Burnaby, Canada in 2005. (There are some friends here today who attended their wedding). By the way George had a very special Chinese name, TIE DAN, which means iron/egg – strength.

Giorgio enjoyed playing many sports and was good at most, including swimming, high jump, billiards, table tennis and bowling. He was the runner-up Italian Archery Champion in 1996, and was a volleyball coach in his spare time. Music was his passion, often saying if he had a second chance he would be a professional musician. Much of his time was spent learning to play the guitar and keyboard. He loved singing and had a strong tenor voice which many of us were privileged to hear. Other favourite pastimes were cooking, eating, and enjoying good food together with friends. He also loved fishing.

Overall, Giorgio was a happy man, full of joy. He liked to talk to all kinds of people: young, old, friends, and even strangers. He would sing for friends, for children, for pharmacists, for nurses, for the people he met in the elevator, or for Vince at the coffee Shop. He loved nature, the ocean, playing in the waves, and working in the back yard planting flowers. He was an excellent photographer and was crazy about taking photos, printing and framing them, often giving them away.

Piergiorgio Gelli was an easy going man who could light up a room simply by walking into it; he brought joy to so many. Over the past 10 years Giorgio wrestled heroically with heart related issues. Sadly, about 4 months ago he was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer which ended his life all too soon on November 10, 2016.