Obituary of "Minnie" Battista (nee Greco)

THE BOOK OF MINNIE This is the story of my life. I have never forgotten the day I was born, mainly because my son would never let me. July 30, 1922. Erminia Domenica Greco. It was on Markham Street in Toronto, the Jewish section. I was the first-born daughter of Caterina and Antonio Greco, poor Italian immigrants. They moved here for a better life in Canada. I was lucky enough to already have two older brothers to protect me, to watch out for me, yet tease and torment me. Isn’t that what brothers are for? Leonard and Guitano (Guy). The apartment on Markham was very small, so we moved to Palmerston Blvd. All the Jewish ladies there thought I was adorable. How could they not? They wanted to take me out for walks, but they could not pronounce the name Erminia. So, those ladies called me Minnie, and that name stuck. My sister Rosena (Rosie) was born, and that apartment became too small for this growing family. My parents bought their first house, 228 Maria Street, in the Junction. This is where my last sibling was born, Helena (Helen). This is where we all grew up. We learned the importance of family, and eventually became adults. I loved my days on Maria Street. I wasn’t that long ago that I actually went back to that home. There was an open house, and it was the connected semi on the opposite side. My son Louie and his partner James took me to see it. It was a very special moment to reflect on all that went on there so many years ago. The house was so incredibly small. But I think I am getting ahead of myself, back to my story. Maria Street was where I met so many of my friends, like the Maltese girls. Beatrice, Mary and Pauline (Lee). We have so much fun over the years. We loved going to the dances during the war, listening to the big band music, and smoking “punk” which we tore off the chair on the front porch. There were many memories on this street. My brother Leonard had his cherished pigeons. He’d do anything to keep the cats away. He used to tie small rockets to their tails and watch them fly across my father’s beautiful garden. Something my father cherished well into his 80’s. This was during the Depression and World War ll. Leonard couldn’t go to war. I think it was a health issue. He wasn’t happy about that. Guy however was drafted, but my mother tried desperately to get him out of it. She said she even tried to pay off the Mafia to help him out, but no such luck. He was enlisted to the Army but luckily for us all he never went overseas. My cousin, also named Guy, came to live with us when his mother died during child birth. My mother was an extremely caring and compassionate woman. She loved her nephew like he was one of her own children. He was my very first crush. I’ll bet you didn’t know that. Well, women all have their secrets. I didn’t go to high school. We couldn’t afford it. I had to help my mother out around the house, and go to work myself. Some of my jobs included bacon wrapper, tailor’s assistant, store clerks, and a seamstress at Stone Clothing. It was there that I found my one true love, Carl Battista. He was a cutter for the company, and appeared to have absolutely no interest in me whatsoever. However, being Minnie, I knew right there that this was the man I was going to marry. There was an annual Christmas Party at Stone Clothing. It was at that party in 1946 that Carl Battista asked me to dance. While dancing, he told me that he didn’t want me to dance with anyone else. I was never much one to listen to boys, but I knew this one was different. I never danced with anyone like that again in my whole life. I truly loved him. Carl and I married on Thanksgiving Monday October 11, 1948 at St Cecilia’s Church on Annette Street. I was never back there again until Louie said we should go back. I showed him that I didn’t get married at the main alter, but instead at the small alter on the right side. It was another special day going back in time. I left Maria Street with Carl to live briefly on Humbercrest Blvd. Another chapter begins here. My first child was born on July 22, 1950. A beautiful daughter we named Carol Angela. We bought a house next to my parents who had moved. Burhamthorpe Road, Etobicoke. Here we met another group of wonderful friends. Helen Hubble and Francis Ring. I loved these women so much. They were good and true friends. On June 24, 1959 we welcomed my next child, Louis Anthony. He came 7 weeks too early, and with a very difficult labour. 3 days to be exact. Something I never let him forget. Trust me. Louie as I called him was a going concern. Nothing like my angel of a daughter Carol. Life unfolded on Burthamthorpe. We added a pool and things were good. Lots of music thanks to Guy on the mandolin and Leonard on the guitar. The backyard was always filled with family and friends. My niece Kathy and husband Sam spent many weekends, as did my sister Rosie and husband Vito from Thorold. I always had an extra special place in my heart for Kathy. I also loved my niece Loretta and husband Rick., as well as my nephew David and lovely wife Laura. Here it was that I lost both of my parents. The most devastating moment came on August 8, 1986 when my beloved Carl died unexpectedly. It was such an incredible loss for everyone. He was lucky enough to have met his only two grandchildren, Catherine and Christopher. I know he would have loved them as much as I did. A new chapter of my life began Sept 1987. I moved with my daughter Carol and her family to Logmoss Cres. in Mississauga. In this house, I saw my grandchildren grow up and become such beautiful people. I’m so proud of them and love them so much. Logmoss also gave me great freedom. I joined a bowling league. Travelled with friends and family. Entertained. And of course, there was my beloved casino. Did I tell you where I have been? I’ve been coast to coast across Canada. Italy. England. Las Vegas. Holland. Spain. Las Vegas. California. North Africa. Texas. Florida. Did I mention Las Vegas? Not to worry Tree. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Wink! I love you very much Theresa. Family, but forever my friend. Logmoss was also filled with much loss. This is where I lost my sister Helen, Nov. 1991. My brother Guy, Jan. 1998. My brother Leonard, April 2000. And my loving sister Rosie, Nov. 2005. But on January 21, 2010, my life changed forever. I lost my most precious daughter Carol. That damn cancer! A mother should never have to see her child pass. My son and grandchildren helped me through this terrible time. That problem son of mine. He became my stronghold, but more importantly this is where he became my very best friend. I don’t want to talk too much about him, it may go to his head. And we all know I certainly don’t want that to happen. I had already started spending more and more time at his place on Webb Avenue after the loss of his two golden retrievers in 2005. I was allergic to dogs you see. I may have been hard of hearing, but I’m sure I heard James saying, “Lou, we need to get another dog.” Go to hell, James!! We had lots of fun there over the years. Dinners. Movies. Friends. Cards. Poker. And of course, many trips to the casino. How I loved the casino. I’m so lucky, and so very loved. Speaking of lucky. A special treasure of a woman came into my life named just that, “Lucky”. I called her Lucy. She helped me so much. I am forever grateful for all you did for me. We should all be so “lucky” to have such a beautiful, caring person in our lives. Things were changing for me. I was getting very forgetful. Repeating myself. Did I tell you I was born in July of 1922? I needed more help. I didn’t want it. However, it was necessary, so I moved. I got a new “condo”, called the Westbury. It wasn’t very far from my house on Burnhamthorpe. Some people call it a long-term care facility. I prefer the term condo. Some lovely people helped me there, and kept calling me feisty. I kept playing cards, and started walking again with the help of a walker. Nov. 3, 2016 my granddaughter Catherine gave birth to Jack Christopher, my great grandson. It was the same birth date as my mother. How very special. I saw him for the first time Christmas Eve. What a special gift. I was becoming extremely forgetful. I decided one thing, I never wanted to forget my family. Before that happened, on Sunday (Domenica, which is Sunday in Italian, my middle name and day I was born) January 15, 2017, I decided it was time to go. The one last thing I wanted to do was to be sure Louie never felt guilty. I, and everyone else, knew I could do that easily. I gave him one final gift. I passed away peacefully in his arms, as he stroked my hair. He need never worry. I loved him so much, and I knew he loves me. Always and forever. I had a beautiful and fulfilling 94 years of life. I want you all to remember I am only a thought away. Never any further. My gift to you is to remember the good. The laughter. The smiles. The stories. Always remember to share your stories. You never know who they may help, and who in return may help you. Don’t be sad that it is over, be happy that it happened in the first place. I’m off to begin a new chapter. I love you all. Minnie (EDB) XXOO Please share in your favourite photos, sentiments and memories of Minnie here at her memorial website. Uniquely entrusted to eco Cremation & Burail Services Inc. Life Celebrations. Done Differently. <iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/JSGMFCKGBQQ3J7MH" width="512"></iframe>