Ascanio Giannuzzi died, very peacefully, Tuesday January 9th
He’d had a good lunch, and in the afternoon watched an Italian situation comedy with the carer, both having some good laughs at it. Later that evening he slipped away.
The funeral service
Ascanio’s funeral will be held on Monday 5th of February at 10:30
at Judd’s Folly Hotel, Syndale Park, Faversham, Kent ME13 0RH. Click here for directions and more details.
A time to both grieve and feel sad, as well as to celebrate Ascanio’s life.
There will be time in the service or at the gathering afterwards for people to share memories of him.
Dress code: Ascanio would not have wanted formal wear, so please wear whatever you feel comfortable in (and colourful clothing is fine).
Donations: Sylvia has chosen Parkinson’s UK as our charity of choice – you can donate on the day with cash or here https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate
Flowers: No flowers please
Watch online: We will also transmit the service live via zoom, for Italian family & friends, and anyone else unable to travel to Kent.
Click here for how to JOIN online via Zoom
To join click here https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81535890364?pwd=VldFTitsSHIvUXhrMm1oY0hFY1JFUT09
Meeting ID: 815 3589 0364 / Passcode: 050549
- Please join at least 20 minutes before, to sort out any joining or connection issues
- Find the start time in your time zone here https://dateful.com/eventlink/9215599315
- You will be welcomed by Kristina who will help you get the most from the event
- If you need help at any time please contact her on 07828 060960
Gathering afterwards
Immediately after the service, everyone is invited to stay at the venue for an informal gathering – to meet old friends and share memories. We will be providing light snacks and drinks.
A private cremation will be held the following morning on Tues 6th.
Gillian: Unfortunately Gillian will be physically unable to attend the funeral. So, she will be looked after at the flat that day. And, due to her dementia, she hasn’t grasped that Ascanio has died. So, with advice, we have stopped trying to explain it or the funeral to her.
Below are a random (and hurriedly collected) selection of photos of Ascanio and a selection of some of the messages we have received from people.
Click here to see the photos
Click here to see a selection of messages
Thank you everyone for all your kind and thoughtful messages. Below is a selection that we thought others might like to read, as I know we will all be mourning the passing of Ascanio.
We are so lucky to have known Scan and Gill and been so warmly welcomed into the Giannuzzi family. There’s a⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐party in heaven for sure! – Deb
Massimo’s parents were saints to let us invade their beautiful home for those toga parties. Xx – Russ & Jackie
Those Toga parties were legendary and Massimo’s Mum and Dad were so hospitable. I think secretly they would have liked to join them🤣I remember him as a lovely man with an amazing twinkle in his eyes ☺ ❤❤ – Lou
Very sad as another lovely person has left our lives. Always had a place in my heart for Ascan and Gill I wanted to be just like them. Learnt how to make pasta sauce the right way xx❤ Trish
You parents taught all of us I think what a family can be and that that potential is, indeed, in all of us. Many of our happiest times were at your family’s home and Scan and Gill were always the most excellent of hosts, not only by turning their home over to us but trusting us to look after it. Which, I hope, we mostly did! Thinking of you all at this time. Terry xx
So sad to hear that you lovely father has died. He was such a kind and generous man and always welcomed us with joy and open arms. We have such lovely memories of him that will always stay with us and has impacted on how I have tried lived my life being welcoming to all. My love to all your family With love Trish x
It is with great sadness I hear of the loss of your father Ascanio, albeit greatly relieved that it was the way it was. He was a tremendous friend to us, a lovely man and I shall never forget the wonderful arrangements he helped us to make for holidays in the Dolomites and the Lakes of Italy. As an amazing Rotarian with an enviable record I so well remember helping him with the PowerPoint of his life story, an amazing story, that he presented to us in January 2018. This was probably their last appearance at Rotary. I mourn the loss of a good friend who certainly added to my life and send you all my deep condolences and such special thoughts to dear Gill. Sincerely yours Brian
Very sad to receive your message, as you know our friendship went back to the time you returned from Italy and stayed in Bell Road with the Frewin family and Ascanio worked in the Pharmacy with Malcolm, we lived just round the corner in Remembrance Avenue and you were frequent visitors. Please pass on my sincere condolences to your dear Mother, Paul and Sylvia, With love and wonderful memories, ‘Aunty’ Joy xx
Dear Massimo, Paul and Sylvia. Thank you for letting me know about Scan. We had many happy days skiing in Pozza with the late Vittorio and wonderful porcini risotto always timed to the last second in its cooking at Boughton! Sending love to you all. Liz
I am very sorry to hear your news. I am one of Ascanio’s Rotary friends and always enjoyed his company. I used to organise many of our club weekends and I still laugh when I remember a train journey from Amsterdam to Leiden when he would entertain the carriage with one funny story after another. I also remember his ‘Giannuzzi risotto’ of which he was so proud! A kind man, a good man. May he rest in peace and good cheer. Mike Pearson
Such sad news. Scan was a really interesting person to know. We shared many interests including skiing and engineering. I enjoyed several trips to the Dolomites with him. He was very proud of his home country, and he would often ski ahead at lunchtime to arrange a true Italian welcome at the chosen restaurant. His tales of early life in German occupied Italy were fascinating and I suspect that these experiences contributed to making him the man he was. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Sending love from both of us – Richard and Barbara
Dear Massimo and family, please accept our sincere condolences on the sad news about the “slipping away” of your father Ascanio – “Scan” as we knew him. We remember some really good times here in “the courtyard” [Chestnut Court, Boughton] at our Bar-b-q’s and Christmas Meals – chatting in the evening over a glass of wine, putting the world to rights and both of our holidays in Italy. Graham and Meggie Gilbert.
Dear Massimo, Paul and Sylvia, I am really sorry to hear the sad news. I will let my father know tomorrow as he goes to bed very early now. He was a very good friend to my parents and especially my father as they met when my father could hardly speak any English. When my father went to his Pharmacy, my dad was struggling to speak English and your father said: just speak Italian! I know it is never easy when a parent passes away. Thinking of you all, a big hug lots of love Tabitha xxx
Dear Massimo, Paul and Sylvia, David and I are so sorry to hear about Scan. Scan was an amazing person, always doing good for others, he was kind, caring and never walked anywhere – he always half ran😊. We were all super impressed when he was still skiing into his eighties and I know it was a wrench when he had to give up completely. When we all lived in Chestnut Court we spent many hours together and the annual Chestnut Court BBQ was not to be missed. Scan would appear with his homemade ice-cream and we always enjoyed a proper cup of coffee from his ‘all singing all dancing’ coffee machine. We played rounders, sent lanterns into the sky (in the days when we were allowed) and sat chatting late into the evening. These were good times. When we saw Scan and Gill recently in Canterbury we were saddened by their frailty but they were still on good form. Scan has had a great life and although it’s always a shock, by the sounds of it a good death. What better way to slip away in your own home pain free. We send lots of love to you all at this time and if there is anything you need help with please don’t hesitate to let us know. With lots of love at this difficult time. Hils and David Xx
I cannot express how sorry I am to hear this sad sad news. He was my true friend at our French class in Faversham on Wednesdays. We had many lunches together. I met Gillian a couple of times at the house at various functions they held there. I kept in touch with him for a while and often discussed Gillian and her dementia. He was often in my thoughts and also the thoughts of the other students in the class. I enjoyed his fantastic sense of humour and his zest for life. He was very much a family man and very proud of you and his grandchildren. I will miss him very much but I am relieved to hear that he left us all in such a peaceful dignified way. Please accept my sincere condolences. It was a privilege to have known him. My very best wishes to you all. Patricia Nelson
So very sad to hear this news We are away in India and will only return in March. Scan was such a good friend and all my children were so fond of him. Our condolences to all the family and our prayers are with you all. Chandrika and Ramu
What sad news. However, I’m so glad Ascanio died so peacefully and without pain or distress. Marie and I went to see them just before Christmas and although he was incredibly thin, he still had a smile and seemed to know who we were. I said that it didn’t seem to be long ago that he was still enjoying skiing and he said ‘I enjoyed many things’. I’m sure he did. He had a zest for life. It’s very sad that Gill doesn’t understand what has happened, but it’s probably for the best. Thinking of you, Sylvia and your family. Best wishes Katriona xx
Sorry to hear such sad news, a blessing to hear Scan passed away peacefully. We loved Scan immensely. He was always great company and brought so much fun to our get togethers. I will always be thinking of him on 9th January as it is my birthday. I will raise a glass and a smile as I remember very happy times. We’re very sorry to hear Gill has deteriorated so much, she is also a very good friend and great company. The dementia is a dreadful condition, it takes away our loved ones and causes us to grieve while they are still alive. We are thinking of you all and sending much love at this sad time. When we see Sylvia next we will give her big hugs. Thank you for letting us know. We will hopefully see you at the funeral. Pat & Leigh xxx