Obituary for Edward "Eddy" Di Tullio
Today, trumpets were blowing in heaven to welcome Eddy DiTullio into the ranks of musical angels like Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Eddy left the earth peacefully at 12:10 a.m. December 15, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. Predeceased by his mother, Emelia, father, Victor, and sister Dea, he leaves his wife, Elizabeth and his loving daughters, Andrea and Lesley. Eddy will also be missed by his grandchildren Jacob, Elizabeth Rose and Emilia who loved him dearly, by his sons-in-law, Cory and Antonio, by his nephews Mark, Paul, Chris, and David, and by his cousins Walter DiTullio and Alphonsina and Alvano Ciccone.
Eddy lived life like he played the trumpet – with devotion, dedication, commitment, and most of all, passion. He was loved by many, respected by his peers, and adored by his wife, children, grandchildren and nephews. He had a charm about him that drew you into his company making you feel at ease. His talent was making anyone with whom he engaged feel special, important, and heard.
Music defined Eddy. In his early years, he would play teen dances and improvise solos that would bring the house down. His close friends Don Taylor, Albert Crocco, Larry Ruscetti, and Gerry “Moon” Mullins formed the band, The Intervals, who were seen playing on CFCL nightly news. Later, Eddy and Larry moved to the big city of Toronto.
He reveled in city life where he and Larry bartended and played music with other close friends, Norm and John Amadeo. He had, as he put it, “the time of my life,” but eventually the fast pace of the city waned, and he decided to come home to Timmins where he started the first of three restaurants. This effort added a new, wonderful, sophisticated dimension to dining in the City of Timmins at Debajo de la Tierra, Sir Edward’s Inn, and Christophers. He was an entrepreneur at heart, but he served in many other capacities in his career including several years at the Porcupine Dante Club as its Manager.
Eddy’s passion for music continued upon his return to Timmins. He was one of the founding members of The Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and he was a founding member of the Big Band where he formed tight friendships with fellow musicians who quickly became their own version of a Band of Brothers. His contribution to the Timmins music scene was something of which he was so very proud.
In his later years, it was his love of cooking that would be the only thing that compared to his love of music. His attempts to cook like his mother, Emelia, was something that he worked on devoutly. He loved his moments with his nephews Mark and Chris when they got together to compare recipes, cook, argue, and feast on the results. He cherished these occasions with them and with nephew, Paul, where he regaled them with stories of his youth, of the zany characters he hung out with at the Moneta Rec, and of his life in the city. Eddy took full advantage of these opportunities to not only become an amazing chef, but more so to enrich his life, enjoy his nephews, and slip down memory lane as a testament to a life lived as deeply and passionately as he played his trumpet.
In the end, during his most challenging period, Eddy was surrounded by the love and care of his wife, Elizabeth, his devoted daughter, Andrea, whose compassionate expertise helped make his final days comfortable, and his loving daughter, Lesley, who was constantly in touch with him supporting and encouraging him from a distance. They were what Eddy was all about: family.
Our deepest gratitude to long-time family physician and friend, Dr. Mario Ciccone, NP Marnie Chisholm, and RN Liz Feldman for their excellent patient care, compassion and emotional family support.
We are all saddened at the loss of a genuine, caring and brilliant human being. He is now back in the arms of his mother, Emelia, father, Victor, and sister, Dea. God has prepared a special place for him. In this, we will find comfort in our grief.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm at LESSARD-STEPHENS Funeral Home. A celebration of life will follow in the spring. Remembrance donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences and donations can be made at www.lessardstephens.com
Eddy left the earth peacefully at 12:10 a.m. December 15, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. Predeceased by his mother, Emelia, father, Victor, and sister Dea, he leaves his wife, Elizabeth and his loving daughters, Andrea and Lesley. Eddy will also be missed by his grandchildren Jacob, Elizabeth Rose and Emilia who loved him dearly, by his sons-in-law, Cory and Antonio, by his nephews Mark, Paul, Chris, and David, and by his cousins Walter DiTullio and Alphonsina and Alvano Ciccone.
Eddy lived life like he played the trumpet – with devotion, dedication, commitment, and most of all, passion. He was loved by many, respected by his peers, and adored by his wife, children, grandchildren and nephews. He had a charm about him that drew you into his company making you feel at ease. His talent was making anyone with whom he engaged feel special, important, and heard.
Music defined Eddy. In his early years, he would play teen dances and improvise solos that would bring the house down. His close friends Don Taylor, Albert Crocco, Larry Ruscetti, and Gerry “Moon” Mullins formed the band, The Intervals, who were seen playing on CFCL nightly news. Later, Eddy and Larry moved to the big city of Toronto.
He reveled in city life where he and Larry bartended and played music with other close friends, Norm and John Amadeo. He had, as he put it, “the time of my life,” but eventually the fast pace of the city waned, and he decided to come home to Timmins where he started the first of three restaurants. This effort added a new, wonderful, sophisticated dimension to dining in the City of Timmins at Debajo de la Tierra, Sir Edward’s Inn, and Christophers. He was an entrepreneur at heart, but he served in many other capacities in his career including several years at the Porcupine Dante Club as its Manager.
Eddy’s passion for music continued upon his return to Timmins. He was one of the founding members of The Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and he was a founding member of the Big Band where he formed tight friendships with fellow musicians who quickly became their own version of a Band of Brothers. His contribution to the Timmins music scene was something of which he was so very proud.
In his later years, it was his love of cooking that would be the only thing that compared to his love of music. His attempts to cook like his mother, Emelia, was something that he worked on devoutly. He loved his moments with his nephews Mark and Chris when they got together to compare recipes, cook, argue, and feast on the results. He cherished these occasions with them and with nephew, Paul, where he regaled them with stories of his youth, of the zany characters he hung out with at the Moneta Rec, and of his life in the city. Eddy took full advantage of these opportunities to not only become an amazing chef, but more so to enrich his life, enjoy his nephews, and slip down memory lane as a testament to a life lived as deeply and passionately as he played his trumpet.
In the end, during his most challenging period, Eddy was surrounded by the love and care of his wife, Elizabeth, his devoted daughter, Andrea, whose compassionate expertise helped make his final days comfortable, and his loving daughter, Lesley, who was constantly in touch with him supporting and encouraging him from a distance. They were what Eddy was all about: family.
Our deepest gratitude to long-time family physician and friend, Dr. Mario Ciccone, NP Marnie Chisholm, and RN Liz Feldman for their excellent patient care, compassion and emotional family support.
We are all saddened at the loss of a genuine, caring and brilliant human being. He is now back in the arms of his mother, Emelia, father, Victor, and sister, Dea. God has prepared a special place for him. In this, we will find comfort in our grief.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm at LESSARD-STEPHENS Funeral Home. A celebration of life will follow in the spring. Remembrance donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences and donations can be made at www.lessardstephens.com