Obituary of J. Charles Grieco
J. CHARLES GRIECO
BA, BAB, Hon. LL.D.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of J. Charles Grieco at Toronto Grace Health Centre on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Margaret; their sons and families: John and Lisa, Ben, Michael, Alex; Paul and Katie, Linus, Henry; Patrick and Kathy; Joseph and Johanna, Felix. His loving Aunt Monica will miss her “Grumpy.” Charles was predeceased by his beloved parents, John and Lena. We are humbly grateful for the compassionate care of the Toronto Grace professional team. We are most appreciative of the friendship and care of Dr. Padraig Warde at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, fondly known as Charles’ favourite leprechaun.
We are thankful for the warm friendship and encouragement of the hospitality and culinary fraternity. Following a highly successful 35-year career with his father as owners and operators of the renowned La Scala Restaurant, setting a new standard for fine cuisine and dining, Charles was a founding Director, Chair and President of the Ontario Hostelry Institute since 1977 and subsequently became managing director at the Canadian Hospitality Foundation. He is recognized as a leading thinker on key issues facing the Canadian hospitality industry. He participated in the provincial commission that led to the formation of the Vintners Quality Alliance. His unwavering dedication has fostered a great many of today’s leaders in the hospitality, culinary and tourism sector. Charles’ passion for education and standards that he encompassed is contagious to all. For more than 20 years his Annual Gold Awards Galas at the Four Seasons Hotel were a sell out and raised over $1.5 million, and supported and inspired more than 450 students to become tomorrow’s leaders in the industry. He shared his wisdom and dreams with the University of Guelph, School of Hospitality, with George Brown College, Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, the Chefs’ House and Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Charles initiated an undertaking that produced the first textual compilation of hospitality law in Ontario. Hospitality Law: a practical guide.
The Grieco family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) on Friday, February 1st from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Celebration of Life and Funeral Mass will take place in St. Basil's Parish Church at the University of St. Michael’s College, 50 St. Joseph Street on Saturday, February 2nd at 11 o’clock. If desired, memorial donations to Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre, Compassionate Care Unit or Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Prostate Cancer Research would be appreciated. Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
Charles practiced what Maya Angelou wrote: “People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
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