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Active Green & Ross donated to HEART STROKE FOUNDATION CANADA / FONDATION DES MALADIES DU COEUR ET DE LAVC DU CANADA
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Our sincere condolences to all the family. We have made this donation in memory of your beloved Carlos Felipa. May he rest in peace in the hands of God.
Rose & Ralph
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Michelle Saenz posted a condolence
Friday, January 9, 2026
He was not just my grandfather. Papa Carlos was a father, a grandfather, and a great-grandfather.
Most importantly, he was a father figure, a mentor, and an advisor to many people, both inside and outside our family.
He was a car technician, an electrician, a self-taught carpenter, and a math whiz. He taught us how to problem-solve, to be persistent, and to never stop learning. Despite the many hardships and tragedies he faced in life, he always stayed positive and kept going.
I was his first-born granddaughter. He was tall, strong, and truly the rock of our family. He helped everyone—family and friends alike—and always made sure we were protected. It felt like he carried an umbrella over all of us. My grandparents came from a different time and place, and they taught me the importance of respect, love, and taking care of one another.
A couple of weeks ago, I sat beside him. He touched my cheek, held my hand, and told me he loved me. He reminded me that family is the most important thing in life.
He once told me how he fixed the window in my nursery when I was a baby because it was too cold. He hurt his back doing it, but said the pain didn’t matter as long as I was safe. He bought me my first bike, taught me how to use a computer, and encouraged me to follow what I love. I love to sing, and he was there in the first row at my first concert, so proud and supportive.
I will miss him terribly, especially hearing him call me Michellita. I told him he was an amazing grandfather, and that we would be okay because he taught us how to take care of one another.
Papa Carlos, you were the rock of our family. You asked me to keep our family together, and I promise you, I will.
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Gladys Saenz posted a condolence
Friday, January 9, 2026
I realize just how fortunate I was to have Carlos as my father.
Losing him is one of life’s deepest heartbreak, leaving an emptiness in my heart that words cannot fully describe.
My dad was always willing to help, always ready to give advice, and he taught me the value of hard work and honesty, lessons I will carry with me every day.
In everything he did, he gave his all, leaving a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.
One of the greatest sacrifices was coming to Canada and starting over so we could have a better future. That decision shows the depth of his unconditional love. He put us first, always.
Even in his final days, my dad showed incredible strength and love. One of my most cherished memories is how he would take my hand and gently kiss it to show his appreciation for helping him. Those moments filled me with so much joy, because I needed him to know that being there for him was where I was happiest. I would kiss his forehead in return and tell him, how much I loved him. Those quiet moments meant everything to me.
I hope that one day, my own children can look back, and say they felt loved by me, just as I felt loved by my father. If they can do that, then like my dad, I will know I lived a full life.
Dad, thank you for being my rock and my protector. I will miss you more than words can express, but I find comfort in knowing that your love will continue to guide me.
Thank you for your unconditional love, your sacrifices, and your unwavering belief in us. Though we will miss your physical presence, your love surrounds us always. Your legacy lives on through us.
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Christopher Saenz posted a condolence
Friday, January 9, 2026
We called him Papa Carlos. And if you asked me to describe him in three words, I would say: Wisdom. Curiosity. And Love. But he wasn't just our grandfather. He was the foundation of this family. He was the guiding light who showed us not just how to live, but why we should live fully.
My fondest memories my desire to learn.
My fondest memories are of how he drove my own desire to learn. I remember as a child, I was always sneaking into his office to read the books I wasn't allowed to touch. He had books on everything—history, mysteries of the world, carpentry, and electrical handbooks. He was a polymath who was always teaching himself, and there I was, sneaking in to read along. He drove my passion for reading—one of the many loves of my life I owe to him.
I also wanted to use his computer—the one I mistakenly broke... twice! And here is the amazing thing: Every time I broke it, he would be upset, yes. But he never stopped me from coming back. He never locked the door. Because he valued my curiosity more than he valued the computer. He fueled that fire in me.
He did that for all of us. I remember sitting at the kitchen table for the math competitions he would host. We would huddle around him, trying to be the fastest to solve his problems. I remember the chess tournaments he organized, telling us that chess was like life: you must be ten steps ahead and learn from the grandmasters. He would even have us debate difficult topics like religion and politics. He didn't do this just to argue; he wanted to learn from us. He wanted to stay up to date with the perspectives of the youth. He didn’t just want us to go to school; he wanted us to love the process of learning.
As I grew older, that classroom moved from the kitchen table to the world. I’ll never forget when we traveled to Europe together. We explored the cathedrals and museums of England, France, and Italy. He told me stories of his younger self—traveling from Peru to France to operate tanks because he was the only one qualified. He told me how he made a promise to himself to always return to France, and he saw in me a similar love for how the world can shape a person. He knew exactly what he was doing; he used that trip to drive my learning journey well into adulthood.
As an adult, well into my career, he never refused a call for help. Whether it was a car problem or a repair at my house, he was there. I noticed that as I got busier, he showed up regardless of how frequent our interactions were. To him, family was still number one. If I called for advice on a big decision, he would always say: "Make an informed decision. Gather ideas from experts, and then discuss it with people of knowledge and wisdom – like him or my mom."
You see, Grandpa was the ultimate student. He was a mechanic by trade, but a true Renaissance man at heart. Whether he was figuring out his Mac or PC, learning how to cook, or growing the largest garden our family has ever seen... he was a true Polymath. He was living proof that you are never too old to learn a new skill.
He imprinted that on me. But he didn't just teach us how to do things. He taught us how to be.
He didn't just give us lectures; he gave us stories. Whether it was at the dinner table or over a cup of coffee, Papa Carlos was an incredible storyteller. He shared stories of his work to instill a work ethic in the younger generation. He shared stories of our family—through both loss and celebration—because he wanted to instill in us a deep love for one another and the drive to support each other.
Buried in every story was a lesson on how to succeed. He left us with a code to live by, and if you take nothing else from today, take these three lessons with you:
1.Never stop learning, and whatever you do, strive to be the best at it.
2.Love your family, and ensure they come first in all things.
3.And perhaps most importantly: Help others without conditions.
As we remember Papa Carlos, I believe the greatest gift we can give him today is to protect the foundation he spent his life building. He lived by a simple but powerful code: unity in family and in love. To honor him is to carry that code forward. Let us choose to help and love each other without conditions—just as he loved us.
Gracias, Papa Carlos. I will never forget you, and I will do my best to continue sharing your stories and living by your code.
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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Carolyn Saenz uploaded photo(s)
Monday, January 5, 2026
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I had the honour of helping Chris with the slide deck of my dear grandfather’s life. My role was to gather and scan photos from his photo albums. As I went through them, one thing became very clear: Papa Carlos lived a full and meaningful life. It wasn’t always easy, and it certainly wasn’t free of tragedy, but it was rich, purposeful, and deeply lived.
Over the years, Papa Carlos held many roles. He was a mechanic, a carpenter, an electrician, and a business owner. He was also an artist, a beautiful writer, and a gardener. Most of all, he was an anchor for our family. He grounded us in values, always thinking of others before himself and making sure we all had what we needed.
In the 10 years I lived with him and Mama Chepa, I never once doubted that his love was unconditional. Not without standards, though, because we could not fool him. He always had a way of seeing through people.
Papa Carlos was a man of conviction. That did not mean he was always right, but he believed strongly in what he stood for, and he was not afraid to say it. He called things as he saw them, a true straight shooter. When I once mentioned an interest in moving to Peru for a temporary work placement, he was very clear that while Peru was roots, Canada was home. He loved this country deeply. Still, even when he did not agree with all of my choices, he always respected them.
He was endlessly curious and always learning. Before his hearing began to fade, I treasured our long dinner-table conversations where we challenged each other on everything from politics to religion to life itself. I know we both loved those exchanges. Those conversations continued through emails and messages with articles he wanted us to read, ideas he wanted us to think about, and wisdom he hoped we would carry forward. His curiosity never left him.
He taught me that a job worth doing is worth doing well. From the biggest life decisions to the smallest daily habits, he believed in care, intention, and responsibility. He taught me how to manage money, how to be authentic, and how to speak up for my values. In relationships, he helped me recognize when something was not meant for me and how to be patient and trust what was still to come. He also taught me the importance of being organized, right down to flattening every box in the recycling bin so everything would fit ;)
These lessons were not lectures. They were how he showed his love.
In 2016, Papa Carlos left a message of condolences on an obituary for a friend. He wrote, “Remember, those we love do not go away, they walk beside us every day.” Those words feel especially true now. I see Papa Carlos in the people around me today and in the values he passed on.
I see his curiosity and eagerness to learn in Bella, through her dedication to her studies and career aspirations.
I see his strength and skill in working with one’s hands in Tio Beto, Veronica, and Tio Javier.
I see his care and discipline with finances in Tia Betty.
I see his honesty and straight-shooting nature in Jason.
I see his deep love for grandchildren in the way Tia Cheryl lives for Dante, Edwin and Edison, loving them fully and wholeheartedly.
I see his commitment, loyalty, and effort to be present in the way Laura and Lewis show up for our family, staying connected despite the distance between us.
I see his composure, maturity, and gift with words in Chris.
I see his leadership in Mama Chepa, who continues to guide and support others through the daily phone calls she receives from so many of us who turn to her.
I see his creativity and artistic spirit in Jack and Zoe.
I see his love for me reflected in the love that Eric has for me.
I see his generosity and willingness to give in Michelle and Sean, who have been a steady presence, always ready to help whenever needed.
I see how he showed love through action and sacrifice in my mother and Daniel, who have given so much of themselves since May to care for Papa Carlos, love him, and be with him day in and day out. They have truly embodied what it means to sacrifice oneself for love.
And I see Papa Carlos in so many others among our family, in the ways we show up for one another, carry responsibility, protect family, and live our values in our own way.
As I scanned through all of Papa Carlos’s photo albums, I noticed how carefully everything was organized and labelled, decades and years clearly marked, memories thoughtfully preserved. When he transitioned to digital photos in the early 2000s (because he was wonderfully computer savvy), I came across hundreds of photos of my children when they were babies, just as he did for all his great-grandchildren. What makes these photos especially meaningful to me is that I had lost most of Eric’s and all of Zoe’s baby photos a few years ago. Because of Papa Carlos, I now have them all back. Even after his passing, he is still giving to his family.
Papa Carlos, thank you, for your love, your sacrifices, and the life you shared with us. Your legacy does not end here because it lives on in how we love, how we learn, and how we care for one another. And it always will.
S
The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 4, 2026
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Magda & Derek Bird donated to Federated Health Charities Corporation
Friday, January 2, 2026
Dear Saenz & Felipa Families,
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Papa Carlos was clearly a beloved great-grandfather and a strong, loving presence in Eric’s life and in the lives of all who knew him. We know how difficult this time is, and we offer our sincere condolences to you and your family.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Magda & Derek Bird
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G Crawford posted a condolence
Friday, January 2, 2026
Very nice man. He was friendly and a hard worker. Cherished memories of him from work at DRPS fleet service. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts and prayers to the family. May he rest in peace and always be in your heart. True friend and was committed doing his job with pride.
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Gaby lit a candle
Friday, January 2, 2026
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Sr. Carlos was a remarkable human being. A man of conviction and principles. Compassion and loyalty were his banners. He is now reunited with his Creator. Our deepest condolences to Doña Chepita, children, grandchildren and extended family.Our prayers are with you. May the peace of Christ be with you all.
With love and respect,
Daniel, Silvana and Gaby
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B. Woodward posted a condolence
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Our condolences to Carlos family in this time of sorrow. Carlos was one who was very consensus of his work while with DRPS working in the fleet service's at 18 Div. A very nice man to speak too & will be missed be so many.
May you R.I.P. Carlos.
Bob & Yvonne Woodward.
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Lou Waldman posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Not a finer more kinder and soft spoken gentleman, I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with him during his time with DRP. May God keep him forever in his arms and my most sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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Mario Lessard posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Carlos was a very kind-hearted person. He was very dedicated and committed to ensuring all vehicles for the DRPS were in perfect condition.
We are losing a truly exceptional individual.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Carlos Felipa
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at DeStefano Funeral Home Services Inc. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Carlos Felipa uploaded a photo
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
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