Leo (Bud) Giovannini

GIOVANNINI Leo (Bud) Leo Giovannini (Bud) passed peacefully away on September 15, 2019 at the US Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence, aged 88. He was predeceased by his wife Rita, his parents Peter Gregory and Ethel, and his siblings, Sr. Mary Julian, Greg, Ethel, Celestine, Ferdinand, Julian, Gug, Rico, and Carmel. Bud leaves behind 10 children: Dolores Kean (Baxter), Jim (Turid), Sue (Ceci), Bob (Alana), Brian, Patti (Michael), Joy Piepjohn (Manfred), Paula (Andy), Karen (Rudy) and Kathy; 22 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, who brought great joy to his later years. He also leaves his dear sisters Margaret McDonald and Mary Jackman, brother-in-law Vincent McDonald, sister-in-law Theresa Giovannini, and many devoted nieces and nephews. Born in St. Lawrence, Bud married Rita (Fitzpatrick), a very capable woman who would help him develop his business dreams. He had started in sales in Toronto, then worked as a mechanic at the St. Lawrence mine while he and Rita had a family of ten children. He built his own garage in the mid 50s, which grew into a full-service station and used car lot. Through the 70s and 80s he and Rita developed a night club and hotel, which became entertainment and hospitality central in St. Lawrence. The Ocean View Hotel (and Bud’s) thrives to this day, now owned by son Bob and his wife Alana. Bud returned to sales in his later years, traveling every corner of Newfoundland as an auto parts salesman with Royal Garage, and winning national sales awards. He also set sales records in high-stakes tickets for charities at the St. John’s malls. He was a charming and very funny man whose unique sense of humour lifted many a person’s day, and brought good sales returns. Bud was a generous supporter of the St. Lawrence Laurentians and other sports teams, and he served as a regional organizer for the PC party for many years. He was a devoted visitor to anyone sick or in hospital, and he always made time to call and visit his friends, lighting up their day with his upbeat tone and crazy humour. He will be sadly missed. Cremation has taken place. Visitation at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in St. Lawrence on Friday, Sept 20 from 2 to 5 pm and prayer vigil at 7 pm. Funeral mass on Saturday, September 21 at 10:30 am. Donations in Dad’s memory can be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, St. Lawrence or to his niece CeAnne Giovannini, Team CeAnne, fighting stage 4 colon cancer: [email protected] Flowers are also gratefully accepted.