Random memories of Dino:- * a gentleman * widely read * very broad knowledge. You could have an interesting conversation with him on almost any topic. * made Ann very, very happy * a picnic for Ann's birthday at Lake Gillawarna-- X marked the spot ! Barbara

What did Dino bring to my life? He brought 18 wonderful years filled with love, laughter, companionship and a wonderful family who not only included me but also my mother and grandmother in family tradition, especially Easter and Christmas. He also showed me that he was a wonderful father to his children, Lara and Michael and I was included in their life too even though they were older when I met Dino. Dino showed his love for me in so many ways. So many women jokingly asked if Dino had a brother because he made my lunches, breakfasts, did the washing, ironing and cleaning. Then he did the gardening! Even in his last few weeks he organised the garden to be tidied, a tree to be cut down because it would be too much for me to look after and on the Sunday before he died even insisted that we test drive a car. However one of the first things he did this month was to organise his funeral. That showed amazing strength and so much love for me. That was the calibre of the wonderful husband that Dino was. Dino believed that laughter was an important part of life and I know at work he would have them in stitches, especially when he dressed up for special celebrations and was Santa Christmas parties. One of my favourite memories is my 38th birthday when he organised a surprise birthday picnic at Lake Gillawarna and invited friends with a special map with X marks the spot. The food was all organised and set out, party games ready but Dino had placed himself in the wrong spot so he paid some nearby children to help him move the party to the right spot. He never lived that down. He really enjoyed performing with Bankstown Musical Society and everyone had a good laugh at Dino’s special dance moves. He even create a special name for the group of performers who had a hard time learning dance moves, they are still known as the DER group (as opposed to the best dancers in A group). We shared so much: two trips abroad in Europe (including Greece) and the USA, where we chased historical sites, war sites and gardens. He taught me so much about gardening, which surprised my mum, as I didn’t venture out to the back yard very often when I lived at home pre Dino. Dino also believed that you always needed to learn throughout your life so we watched many documentaries together and I learnt to enjoy subtitled films on SBS. Most of all I will miss the cuddles and hugs we shared when I came home from work. Dino was an amazing organiser, which I know his work mates really appreciated. Even in his last weeks I sat next to him taking notes about this function, things that needed doing in the house and he even wrote in his journal how I should do the housework. In his work life he was the social organiser, organising monthly birthday morning teas and Christmas parties including a few picnics in the Botanical Gardens which entailed the staff traipsing through the city with trays of food. He organised a wonderful 50th birthday for me and even organised the gardens for a couple of friends Many people, particularly children, loved Dino. He was great at playing. At family gatherings if you wanted to find Dino, he was out the back playing with his great nephews and there was always screams of laughter. My grandmother loved Dino for the care and love he gave her. He really was so thoughtful. One day he took a rec day off, hired a wheel chair and took her to the Camellia Gardens at Caringbah for the day. She never forgot that. Dino didn’t live to hold his new granddaughter, Ava but he did see her on Skype a couple of times and was so excited on his last weekend when he could hear her gurgling and she seemed to focus on his voice. I loved Dino very much and to him I was always his Smiley. I know he loved me and was happy with me. He gave me so many wonderful memories to hold onto which will keep me going. I will miss him so much but I know he was in too much pain to stay with me.

Dino was a great inspiration to our family. He would always want to put in time with the children. Playing games in the backyard and advising them on different decisions that they would make. He liked being part of our family and that will be sadly missed. He had a very happy outlook on life and enjoyed his garden which was a real credit to him. I will really miss his jokes and happiness and love he showed to us all. Julie

What can I say about my dad he was loud, happy, pragmatic - sometimes too pragmatic but what's a dose of reality once in a while? he was confident, sometimes stubborn, but always outgoing and optimistic... qualities that I have been blessed with myself.. if it wasn't for these I wouldn't be who I am - and I wouldn't be living where I am living... which is sadly too far away to be there when he needed to see me most.. While his loudness got him in trouble on the soccer field and the netball court every now and again his optimism and drive to do something good for our community had him start Pennant Hills Baseball/T-Ball club with our mum back in 1983. He was passionate about coaching us kids as well as participating himself as an referee and a player in the all ages team. These were some of our happiest memories and I am proud to share them with many of the friends I made in school and still hold dear to my heart today. Dad made lots of friends as well as rubbed people the wrong way but only because some people didn't understand him or appreciate his positive intentions. He was always the life of the party with his joking and outgoing personality..I never cared that people made fun of him for his name - it suited him! In the end everyone knew him and I was proud he made a positive impression on them. I still get asked about him which makes me smile. Our memories of our dad will always include happy times - driving us to the snow once a year and hauling us up the mountain by our stocks, checking out the trickier trails even when he wasn't that good on skis himself! camping in Hill End where he was determined to strike gold and did so only when we dosed a gold pan with "fools gold" after two days of no luck, Hiking to the BreadKnife in the Warrumbungles in Dunlop Volleys after running out of water half way there with us kids in tow, driving all the way back from Coonabarabran with no petrol and broken shocks in the cortina, or what about saving me from a huge wave and being dragged out to sea at Bilgola because we were the furthest swimmers out from shore. Body surfing and catching waves on our lilo or boogie board.. those were the best times... I was happy to hear that he found happiness and a new life with Ann after he and mum broke up - he always said "Lara you have to live your life" and he sure did. He continued with baseball way after Penno Baseball club folded into Greenway and started his new hobbies of gardening and theatre as well as travelling with Ann to places he always wanted to see. He gave Adam and I the best present ever when he came to visit us in 2005 - taking us up in a hot air balloon for the first (and only) time in the city of the International Balloon Fiesta and helped me start off my own garden in our new house. For him I will always have a campsis/trumpet vine on my back wall, a wisteria along my roof line and judas tree in my garden... Nothing will replace having my dad call us on new years at midnight or on my birthday to sing in his wishes but I will tell his granddaughter these stories and more - all about him and he will never be lost from our hearts. I love you and miss you Dad. You can now rest in peace.

Dear Dino, You were my mate, my neighbour & the inspiration for my garden. I only knew you for 19 months but you made such an impact on my life. Every time I plant a seed or plant it will be in your honour. I'll never forget you mate. Aaron.

Dino, Your my mate, my neighbour & the inspiration for my garden. I knew you for 19 months but you made such an impact on my life. Every time I plant a seed it will be in your honour. I'll never forget you mate. Aaron.