Management, staff and customers of Avondale Store # 22 at 115 Carlton Street in St. Catharines wanted to do something that would honour a very special individual, Carlo Fortino, a developmentally disabled adult, who in his spare time would help out at the store during a period of three years.

And so they decided to host a barbeque, raised $3200, and made a memorial donation to the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre.

The presentation was made on Monday, November 16 to Shane and Damion, two children who receive therapy at NPCC by store management family members John, Ashley and Avaia Dimarco, Amy Rozon, and Carlo’s mother Ada who came to St. Catharines from Hamilton for the presentation.

Carlo passed away February 9, 2009 from cancer at the age of 38.  He is greatly missed by many people who all knew him as a gentle soul with a heart of gold.  At the store, he was always ready to perform many tasks: sweep, stock shelves, and put the grabage out, just to name a few. 

Most of all, Carlo loved being around people, and people loved to stop and talk to him.  More significantly, says store manager Lynn Rozon, Carlo had a special knack for brightening everyone’s day.

He is sadly missed by all who came to know and love him, but he will always be remembered for being a very warm and wonderful person.

From left to right:

Shane, Ada Forino, Amy Rozon, Damion, Ashley Dimarco (holding baby Avaia Dimarco), John Dimarco