TARCISIO MARDERO

It is with much sadness and deep love that we announce the passing of Tarcisio Mardero on June 24th at the age of 90 years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Tarcisio is survived by Anna (nee Copetti), his loving wife of 61 years; their children, Moira, Steve (Kim) and Claudia; their grandchildren, Mitchell (Nicole), Gregory (Sydney), Adrianna (Chris), Nicholas and Caiden; and family in both Italy and France, including, sister Pierina, brother in law Velio Copetti (Norma); nieces and nephews, Silvano, Roberto (Margerita), Elena (Mauro), Gerard (Marie-Claude), Jean-Pierre (Wanda), Frederic (Eva), Valentino (Anna-Lisa), Micaela (Piero), Arrigo (Silvia), Dino, Gabriele (Marina) and several great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Lucia Sangoi & Pietro Mardero; sister, Giuditta (Ennio Rizzi), brother, Fabio Mardero (Almarosa); brother in laws Armando Stroili, Sergio Copetti (Regina).

Tarcisio was born on August 31,1931 in Gemona del Friuli, Italy to a hard-working farming family. By the ripe age of 10, he was tending to herds of sheep and cattle as they pastured in the valleys of the Carnic Alps. During the war years, he lived under German occupation and the constant threat of bombings.

Being of an adventurous nature, Tarcisio immigrated to Canada at the age of 22, arriving at Pier 21 on July 12, 1954. He left the country he loved for the promise of work and to help support his family back home. He initially worked for the railway making his way through Western Canada where he did various laborer jobs for the next few years. He returned to Italy in 1960 to attend a friend’s wedding where he met Anna, the love of his life. He remained in Gemona for 5 months, building a house for his parents and marrying Anna on March 18,1961. Shortly after, he returned to Winnipeg with his new bride, where they made a life together raising their family in the Fort Rouge area.

Tarcisio had a very strong work ethic, moving from general laborer to construction foreman, working on many iconic Winnipeg buildings. He was also very proud of the time he spent up north in the 1970s, building new schools in northern Manitoba and Nunavut. He had fond recollections of the welcoming nature of the Indigenous people he met and the friendships he made.

When Tarcisio wasn’t working in construction, he was renovating his own home and the family cottage in St. Laurent, Manitoba, or helping friends and family with their building and reno projects. He was quick to lend a helping hand wherever needed and rarely sat down for more than 5 minutes unless he was eating a delicious meal cooked by Anna and drinking his homemade wine.

Friendship and family were a priority for Tarcisio. He was fiercely proud of his Friulian heritage and was a key member of the Fogolar Association of Winnipeg which consists of members of the Italian community who immigrated from the Friuli and the Veneto areas. He worked to build and maintain the Campo Fogolar grounds and clubhouse in Anola and took an active role in the annual Porchetta picnic and many other Fogolar events.

Tarcisio put as much love and attention into his homemade wine, grappa, sausage, gnocchi, pasta sauce and his impressive vegetable garden as he did with his construction work. He and Anna made sure to keep their northern Italian customs and traditions alive and active with their family, instilling a strong work ethic and solid values in their children and grandchildren. Telling their stories, cooking their meals, making their vino and singing their songs; working hard and playing hard. Boisterous voices and laughter could always be heard from the welcoming Mardero home and cottage.

Tarcisio had a love and appreciation of the great outdoors and he admired birds of all kinds, in particular the Purple Martins. He made beautiful bird houses and feeders for his feathered friends and would give them away as gifts to friends and family alike. 

Tarcisio demonstrated his love through his helpful ways and with the treasures he’d share—vegetables from his garden, homemade wine, and skillful wooden creations--making everyone’s life a little richer for it.

If you’d like to see a video of Tarcisio making his authentic homemade vino, you can view it on YouTube by searching: Traditional Italian Wine Making – One Ingredient or by clicking here: Click here for the Video.

Tarcisio’s family would like to thank CancerCare Manitoba, the WRHA and the wonderful staff at Riverview Health Centre’s Palliative Care Unit where he spent the final weeks of his life.  In lieu of flowers, Tarcisio’s family asks that donations be made to Riverview Health Centre, CancerCare Manitoba or that you consider giving blood at Canadian Blood Services.

A private celebration of his life will be held in the coming weeks with close family and friends.

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In the meantime, Tarcisio's family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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