Livio Tito Basso

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our father, Livio, surrounded by his family’s love, on Thursday, September 26, 2019 in Penticton, BC.  He was very sadly predeceased by Lina, his beloved wife of 47 years, and their loving daughters, Mary Ann Franco and Gianna Lepitre.  He is survived by his daughter, Mannie, sons, Paul (Maureen) and Dan (Judy); sons-in-law, Norm (Cindy) and Tony (Norma); grandchildren, Stephanie (Allan), Bianca (Dan), Jenna (Matt), Bradley (Michelle), Alexis, Matthew, Adam, Christopher, Julia; step-grandchildren Sarah and Aidan; great grandchildren, Alia, Leo and Eli (with more on the way); brother, Arnaldo (Rosa); sisters, Mirella and Vanina (Davide); brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary, Joe, Luisa (Andy); and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Livio was predeceased by his parents, Attilio and Anna Basso; brothers, sisters and their spouses, Attilio, Elio (Gianna), Luciano (Anna), Amelia (Tony), Augusta (Tulio), Anna Maria (Ciri); brother-in-law, Vasco; Lina’s parents Antonina and Giovanni Salvati; her brother Dominic, sister Imelda and brother-in-law Joe.

Born in Casarsa, Italy, Livio immigrated to Prince Rupert, BC in 1956 with only the clothes on his back and a small suitcase of belongings.  He started a new life in a new world.  There he met the love of his life, Lina.  Within the year they were married in 1957 and before the end of 1963, they had five children and their family was complete.  Livio was a deeply devoted family man. In the late 1960s, the family vacationed and fell in love with the Okanagan, moving there in 1970.  

Both Livio and Lina were very hard-working and dedicated business owners.  They purchased the Empire Motel and from there they never looked back, owning both the Bel Air and Sunset Motels in Penticton.  They worked tirelessly to provide for their family.  Livio was not afraid to tackle any job and was a jack-of-all trades (without YouTube and Google to guide him).

The 1980s were exciting for them with the arrival of their first five grandchildren, followed by four more in later years.  It was a blessing that both Livio and Lina lived to see the birth of all their grandchildren whom they adored.  

Lina and Livio loved to host Sunday family dinners with Lina being the gourmet cook under Livio’s “supervision.”  Much of the delicious food came from their abundant garden.  Many hours were spent enjoying special time with the little ones.  Canasta, Scopa (Italian card game) and bocce were often played at the Basso household with family and good friends. Their love of travel took them back to Italy for many vacations and down to Mexico for winter getaways with friends and family. Over the years, Livio continued to enjoy bocce with his many Italian friends.

Our father was a gentle, kind man of few words but a heart of gold, whose love for his family was his life’s work. He will be sadly missed and forever loved.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1296 Main Street, Penticton.  Refreshments will follow the service in the church hall.  Interment will take place at 1:30 pm at Lakeview Cemetery.

The family sincerely thanks Dr. Chris Toneff and the caring staff of Moog and Friends Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Diabetes Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Penticton & District Hospice Society (for Moog and Friends Hospice House), with thanks.