Obituary of Benito Zefferino

A Life of Love, Sacrifice, and Strength

Benito Zefferino was a force of nature. A man who worked tirelessly for everything. Not just for himself, but for everyone he loved. He was fiercely devoted to his family, unshakable in his faith, and relentless in his pursuit of a better life. His strength was not just in his hands, but in his heart, in his perseverance, and in the way he refused to let life break him. No matter how hard life got, he rose. Every. Single. Time.

From the moment he first laid eyes on the love of his life, Rosie, his world changed. Their love was instant, their bond unbreakable, and their story, the kind only found in books. No obstacle, distance, hardship, even family opposition, could keep them apart. For decades, they faced life’s toughest battles hand-in-hand, proving that true love isn’t just felt, it’s fought for.

Benito was a builder, in every sense of the word. He built homes, opportunities, lives and most importantly, he built family. He didn’t just provide, he believed. He saw potential in his children, in his wife, in everyone around him, and worked tirelessly to support them. He didn’t need to understand something to know it was important. If it mattered to the people he loved, then it mattered to him.

He left his home in Italy for Germany, enduring grueling labor to create a future for his new family. When he arrived in Canada with nothing but $45 and an unstoppable will, he rebuilt his life from the ground up. No job was beneath him, no challenge too great. 

Even when faced with unimaginable hardship, Benito remained a man of strength, hope, and faith. It was his belief in God—a faith he carried with quiet conviction—that gave him strength when the road ahead seemed impossible. He stood up for what was right, even against injustice, and never let anyone disrespect his loved ones.

His greatest achievement was his family. He was a devoted father to his three sons, Fernando, Dino, and Massimo, raising them with strength, discipline, and above all, faith. He didn’t just support them; he believed in them. He saw passion and nurtured it.

His later years were met with struggles that no person should have to endure. The loss of his beloved Rosie, years of illness, and a battle that tested even his unbreakable spirit. And yet, through it all, he remained himself—strong, resilient, and devoted, with that familiar half-cracked, jovial smile. In the end, he passed as he lived: with dignity, on his own terms, happy with the life he lived, fulfilled with what he accomplished, and ready to meet his maker.

Benito is reunited with his wife Rosie, leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. He is survived by his sons Fernando (Laurie), Dino (Sabina), and Massimo (Jennifer), his grandchildren Selina (Esteban), Benny (Kerry), Marina, Isabella, Massimo, Amelia, Anabella, B. Rocco, and Rosie, his great-grandchildren Diego, Maya, Amara, Leia.

His lifetime of lessons, strength, and love will live on in all who knew him.

The Zefferino family will receive relatives and friends at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Monday, March 24, 2025, from 5pm - 8pm, with Parish Prayers at 7:30pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, 80 University Ave. W., Waterloo, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 10am, with interment following at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo.

Condolences for the family may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.