Giacinto (Jim) CASTRILLI
With his loving family by his side, Giacinto Castrilli passed away on November 5, 2025 at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice. In his 92nd year, Giacinto was the beloved and cherished husband of 61 years of Barbara (nee Salterio) and a devoted father to Michelina Beam (Blake), Rita-Ann Gertz (Detlev), Donna McTiernan (Brian), and Carolina Venditti (Tim Poulin). Pre-deceased by his parents Nicola and Rosina (nee Palladino) Castrilli, he is survived by his sister Filomena Forte (Michele pre-deceased) and Angelina Venditti (Rocco pre-deceased).
Giacinto was a proud and loving Nonno to Courtney Whitwell (Robert St. Jean), Brandon Whitwell (Ashley), Natasha Venditti (Justin Huycke), Jesse Beam, Jonathan Venditti (Brianna Couroux), Taylor Whitwell (Russell MacInnis), Jackson Beam (Amelia), Riley Beam (Ty Boissonneault), Julia McTiernan, Lauren McTiernan. He enjoyed celebrating birthdays and other life events with them as he watched them grow into adulthood. His face always lit up in the presence of his great-grandchildren Ryan Lafontaine, Jamie Lafontaine, Ava Huycke, Norah Whitwell, Thomas MacInnis, Lincoln Whitwell, Grace Huycke, and Rowan MacInnis.
Giacinto is fondly remembered by his nephews and nieces and their extended families.
On January 4, 1958, Giacinto boarded the SS Cristoforo Colombo, leaving Italy to begin his journey to a new life in Canada. He worked in construction as a general labourer, growing his skills in masonry, and his handiwork could be found in his own homes and in many buildings throughout the city. He eventually took a full-time job as a dietary porter at St Joseph’s Hospital where he worked for 17 years before taking an early retirement.
Movies, dances, and bowling were the activities he enjoyed as a young man in a new country and after meeting and marrying his love Barbara, these continued and grew to include family time and a widening group of friends. The family cottage pig roasts were an annual summer event for 15 years for so many extended family members and friends. He particularly enjoyed mushroom picking, sausage making, and travelling with dear friends. His favourite trips included Cuba and Italy and he was so happy to share in the exploration of his home country with Barbara and his daughters and many of his grandchildren. Giacinto was a familiar face at many Davedi Club events and spaghetti suppers where, after 65+ years of membership, he held the honour of the longest serving member in the club history.
He happily celebrated holidays, birthdays, and life events with his family, and enjoyed many afternoons spent at the park and beach, the endless hours of ringette, swimming at the Y, soccer, and road trips. He began all over again with the arrival of the grandchildren, attending so many of their activities and milestone events. Giacinto loved his time with family more than anything.
Visitation will be held at the Martyn Funeral Home on Wednesday November 12, 2025 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Peter the Apostle Church at 11:00am on Thursday November 13, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful to see donations go to Nipissing Serenity Hospice, North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation – Neo Natal Unit, Pac Sack Smiles, or Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre as expressions of sympathy.
