Byron Shire, indeed, the world, lost one of our most loved and colourful characters recently.
Stef Canuto, as we all knew him, or Canoodles to his tennis buddies, passed away peacefully on June 19 surrounded by his loving family, after spending over a-year-and-a-half in hospital with severe spinal injuries, following a tragic accident at Belongil Beach.
Born in Venice, Italy, in 1956, Stef developed his strong sense of social justice from an early age. In high school, he became a student leader and activist.
Later, he travelled to Portugal to report on what became known as the Carnation Revolution, for a left-wing newspaper during that country’s transition to democracy.
He worked in Portugal cooking in a restaurant, where he expanded his considerable talent as a self-taught chef.
Hippy trail
In 1981, Stef joined the hippy trail to India, where he spent time in the Menali Valley.
Back in Venice in 1982, he fell in love at first sight across a crowded room with a girl from Oz on Santo Stefano Day.
Stef and Gemma remained together for the next 40 years.
They first came to Australia in 1989, and travelled around the country, spending time in the Papunya Tula arts community. Soon after, they showcased the first-ever exhibition of Australian Indigenous art in Venice, Italy.
Stef and Gemma immigrated permanently to Australia, and found a special place in Upper Wilsons Creek, where they built a house. Two beautiful kids, Lucia and Leif followed soon after.
For the next 30 years, Stefano dedicated himself to working, cooking and dreaming on the land.
He replanted the rainforest and expanded a citrus orchard and farm, supplying fresh organic produce for many shops and restaurants in Mullum. As well, he and Gemma ran a day spa.
Stef loved his sport.
Every Friday night for over 30 years, he played tennis with us, his band of brothers.
He also loved playing social soccer.
He would stay up until the wee hours to watch his beloved AC Milan in action.
An exuberant party animal, Stef loved life and we all loved him, the most Italian Italian you’ll ever meet.
There will be a celebration of Stefano’s life at Ewingsdale Hall on Saturday, August 2 from 3.30pm.
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