LIOTA, Francesco Santo Liota

Peacefully, surrounded by those that loved and cherished him, Francesco “Santo” Liota passed away at Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Anna Liota and his children Salvatore (Elizabeth), Filippo (Linda) and Alessandra (Mike Czepita).Predeceased by his parents Salvatore and Giuseppina.  Nonno to Daniel (Dayna), Vanessa (Kelvin), Cristina (Dan), Marco (Rica), Savanna, John and Sierra and bisnonno to Delilah.  Santo was predeceased by his brothers and sisters-in-law Salvatore (Josie) Liota and Pietro (Maria) Liota and leaves behind brothers and sisters-in-law Luigi (Maria) Liota and Joe (Amelia) Liota and brothers and sisters in law Maria (Michele) Manna, Frank De Cicco, Sergio (Rosaria) De Cicco, Rosalba Paradiso, Carlo (Erminia) De Cicco and Corrado (Franca) De Cicco.  Also left to grieve are numerous nieces and nephews in Canada and Italy.

Santo immigrated to Hamilton from Racalmuto, Sicily, Italy in 1953 and was a longtime employee of the City of Hamilton who passionately cared for the grounds of Gore Park, planting and tending to the flowers, cleaning the litter and decorating the many trees during the Holiday Season.  In winters past, he would be found in the early mornings flooding the outdoor skating rinks at Woodlands Park and Gage Park.

After retirement, he would often put on his old city uniform and cut the grass for his children, siblings and elderly neighbours.  Santo was a man of few words but demonstrated his love for his family and care for his friends and neighbours by the things that he did. He was never comfortable being the centre of attention, preferring to stay in the background. He didn’t have the opportunity of a formal education but was knowledgeable of math and history, teaching his children and grandchildren the basics of solving math problems. As a father, he worked hard to provide for his family, never splurging on anything for himself – that’s who he was.

Special thanks to Dr. Lupo, Dr. Matsumoto, Gillian and Erin at Bayshore Healthcare, the PSWs at CBI and the entire staff and volunteers at Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice for treating our father with care, dignity and respect in his final days.

Visitation will be held at Friscolanti Funeral Home (43 Barton St. E., Hamilton) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 4-8pm.   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church (440 King St. E., Hamilton) on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, in Burlington.