Rinaldo  ANTENUCCI

Obituary of Rinaldo Andrew "Andy" ANTENUCCI

September 7, 1920 – Tagliacozza, Abruzzo, Italy
November 14, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Rinaldo Antenucci, beloved husband of Rose Antenucci (nee Santarelli), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2020, at the “tender” age of 100 years.

Rinaldo was born in Tagliacozzo, Abruzzo, Italy on September 5, 1920. He was very premature and tiny, so he was placed in a shoebox and the Doctors were doubtful he would survive. Two days later on September 7, 2020, little Rinaldo, against all odds, was fiercely fighting and was officially registered with the birthdate of September 7, 1920. Tenacious from second one! After his birth, he would live in Pescara, a seaside city in Italy located on the gorgeous Adriatic Sea.

He was enlisted in the Army at the age of 19, was brought up in the ranks and would go on to be a tank commander. He was later captured by the British in South Africa and would be stationed there as a POW. He joined a theatre group and would entertain troops by dancing, singing and playing the drums with the POW band. Because he could wear a few hats, he would later get to travel with a theatre group - as a POW, entertaining troops at other POW camps including numerous locations throughout South Africa, Egypt and Madagascar to name just a few. He immigrated to Canada in December 1952, docking in Halifax on Christmas Eve. Rinaldo was the only immigrating passenger that could speak English and was offered $5 to help translate directions for where the other passengers needed to go. He held on to that $5 for more years than can be counted. He later boarded a train to Calgary, AB where he lived for the rest of his life.

Rinaldo met Rose, his future wife and future lifelong partner in Pescara, where their families knew each other for a long time. Rinaldo loved to dance, and at a family get together, taught Rose to dance. They continued to dance together for 67 years! He married Rose in 1953, and they went on to have three children, first Elvie, then Mickey and finally Paul. 

Rinaldo accomplished much throughout his life, with a long career in machining. He was highly respected, extremely intelligent and was amongst one of the hardest working men. Rinaldo had a deep passion for life. He was not a large man, but his presence was larger than life! His huge smile lit up a room and he was most happy when he was the life of the party, singing and dancing and entertaining everyone. As time went on, in later years he had such a deep, genuine love for spending time with his family, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren! He will be dearly missed by all.

He will be most remembered for his deep passion for everything he did in life and for everything he was in life! 

Besides his loving wife Rose, Rinaldo is survived by his sons, Mickey Antenucci and Paul (Kari) Antenucci; son-in-law Dale (Darlene O’Brien) Crooks, granddaughters, Dawna Rose (Neil), Sydni, Michelle (Martin) and Sarah (Gary); grandsons, Tyler, Jacob, Andrew, Mitchell and Chris; and great-grandchildren, Caleb, Makenna, Astoria, Austin, Ethan, Madeleine, Avery, Ellia and Ellia’s sister, and  Mackenzie. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Lolanda Scurti and Maria Meme; as well as numerous special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Rinaldo was predeceased by his daughter Elvie, his parents, his parents-in-law, his brothers, and all of his brothers-in-law.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on Rinaldo’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Rinaldo Antenucci, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
 

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