Ildefonso Gil Guillen

ILDEFONSO GIL GUILLEN January 03, 1929 - August 26, 2022 Ildefonso Gil Guillen passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 26th, 2022. He is survived by his 2 sons Gabriel (Maria Cipriano) and Ildefonso Guillen (Ann Guillen) and a proud and devoted Grandfather to his grandson Mattie Guillen. Ildefonso was born in the town of La Linea in his much beloved country of Spain where politics and a difficult job market under the Dictatorship of Francisco Franco made him search for better opportunities abroad. After much soul-searching migration to Canada was to be the chosen path. In 1970 with his wife Herminia Guillen, 2 sons and his mother-in-law Maria Ortega, the family embarked on the journey to a new life. We settled in Toronto where we had 2 uncles ready and willing to show us all the great things Canada had to offer. He made a life for us here with kindness and determination. We will miss his easy smile, the way he always was a gentleman even when he was using a walker, he would quickly move ahead of some lady so he could hold open her door. He was generous and supportive and strong. He was passionate about classical music and cooking (his paella was the Best!) his culinary skills learned from watching the cooks and chefs he worked with in his many years at the CARA Foods kitchens in the Commerce Court and Union Station restaurants. As a younger man he loved to soak up classical literary titles such as his favorite "The Count of Montecristo". As kids my brother and I would often be amazed by the great store of knowledge my dad would impressively have at his fingertips. We owe him our love of books, and mystery and all things related to science. His great childlike curiosity was boundless and lasted long into his life, he was in many ways childlike in his wonderment. Ildefonso sadly lost his wife after 65 years of marriage in December 2021 and he just could not carry on without her love and support. He will live on in our hearts forever. With special thanks to Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital 2nd Floor Orthopedics South and the Palliative Care Team on 10 North and St. Michael's Hospital Emergency, Ortho (4 Bond) and Medicine floors (14 Cardinal Carter North and South), the staff at these institutions went out of their way to care and support our dad and family. Donations to either facility would be welcome. https://www.hennickbridgepointhospital.ca/en/foundation/foundation.asp https://stmichaelsfoundation.com/ A private Memorial will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens for immediate family only.