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DEMONTIS: Sudden passing of beloved priest leaves thousands in shock

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When news broke that Father Vito Marziliano died unexpectedly this past Saturday, the shock and sorrow of losing this kindhearted and much-loved priest was akin to a physical blow to the army of family, friends and fans whose lives he touched.

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Father Vito, who died of a heart attack on Saturday, was not only a spiritual leader but was also a steadfast friend to thousands in the GTA, across Canada and parts of the world.

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A pastor at several churches, including All Saints Church in Etobicoke,  St. Clare on St. Clair Rd., to his most recent place, St. Patrick’s in Brampton, the outpouring of grief and love from all levels of social media has been unprecedented and proved to be a testament to how deeply he was loved by his community.

Everyone knew Father Vito — and if you didn’t you certainly would in due time. I met him years ago when, driving home one evening, I noticed All Saints was having a Christmas bazaar. So I popped in — and, within moments of meeting the beloved priest, knew I had made a life-long friend. Throughout the years, he was my go-to expert for all things spiritual. He graced the Toronto Sun‘s front page when we asked a handful of clergy where was God when things were tough. He told us how the community was coping during the worst of the pandemic lockdowns. He gave the homily at the funeral for murder victim Anne Marie D’Amico of the deadly van attack back in  2018. He knew everyone — from the city’s most powerful movers and shakers to those who needed spiritual sustenance while doing prison time. He was asked to marry hundreds of couples, officiate at various religious services, asked to visit the dying in early morning hours. He very rarely said no.

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I’m still grappling with his passing — I still expect to hear his voice and to see those beautiful kind eyes and warm smile. Tentative dinner plans that will now never take place. It’s heartbreaking — Father Vito was everyone’s friend. He was the go-to, and the priest who had an amazing knack for gathering people, and taking care of them. Getting strangers involved in fundraisers. Holding Passover dinners with members of other religious groups, organizing trips to the Holy Land. One was being planned for this fall.

Father Vito, in his mid-60s, was unconventional. When he moved to All Saints, situated in a serene part of Etobicoke, he made arrangements for a religious procession — with live animals. People would meet him in local coffee shops and plans were always being made for something or other — a dinner, a fundraiser. And always with Father Vito and that gentle smile of his.

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My father-in-law passed away a few days before Christmas many years ago. Of course, a call was made to Fr, Vito, to see if he could find it in his (unbelievably busy) Christmas season to officiate. Naturally, he said yes. At the service, someone’s cell phone suddenly rang. Instead of being angry or annoyed, Father Vito paused, smiled and looked up. He then said “I thought you’d answer it and say ‘I’m in church. Come join me.'”

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“Our priests are shepherds who care for the flock. Father Vito was truly a loving, caring and joyful shepherd for all those he met,” wrote a member of the Archdiocese of Toronto in an email. “He had a profound ability to connect with others. I’ve heard from so many who spoke of their moments of personal encounter with Father Vito. From their most joyful days to moments of significant loss. Father Vito made people feel welcome and loved. He was what a priest should be — the hands and face of Jesus to those they meet, loving and serving others, every day. What a tremendous loss for us all.”

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His sister, Mary, spoke of how her brother had wanted to be a priest “since he was around four years old, when he had (make-believe) processions and masses. He had deep faith from an early age.” Her brother’s death has left the family “beyond devastated. We’re just trying to cope. It’s still unreal.” Yet, Mary says they’re comforted in knowing that “he was not alone when he died. He had staff with him,  along with his secretary and her husband, who immediately called 911 when they saw that he was in distress.  The (paramedics) were wonderful, working to save his life. But it was too late. His heart gave out.”

His heart may have given out, but one can be assured it had been filled by so much love for a sweet, kind priest who will be so missed.

Funerals services are yet to be determined.

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