Lessons from My Father - Marco Bortolussi

There are so many life lessons I learned from my father – humility, peacefulness, diplomacy, hard work, dedication, commitment, and genuine respect. They’re not always easy to live out, but he made them look natural.

He was a humble man, yet respected wherever he went, a true gentleman who earned admiration without ever seeking it. He arrived in this country at 21 as a boiler maker who couldn’t speak English. Starting from nothing, he learned the language, worked his way through the Free State, and eventually built his own company through sheer determination. That journey remains one of the clearest examples of resilience and grit I’ve ever seen.

He taught me the value of starting from zero and pushing forward. In a world where many of us have advantages, his story reminds me how far effort and humility can take you.

His marriage to my mom reflected his character. They married after three months, despite not speaking each other’s language, and went on to share 57 years together. That kind of commitment and quiet dedication says everything.

He avoided confrontation and believed in talking things out. He showed me how to choose words over conflict and approach life with diplomacy, something I still work on.

He also showed me what it means to truly love your partner through showing consistent care and respect.

The respect he received came from the respect he gave. Even today, people speak of him with admiration.

I’m more hot-headed by nature, but I try every day to live by his example. Dad, thank you; your legacy lives on in how you taught me to be a better man.