Natale Rao
August 25, 1950 - August 4, 2023
In Loving Memory
Natale Rao
August 25, 1950 – August 4, 2023
It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Natale Rao on August 4th, 2023, at home with his loving wife, Donna (nee Gaylie) by his side. Born in Calabria, Italy, Natale immigrated with his family to Toronto, Canada, where he grew up. After completing his studies in massage therapy, he moved to British Columbia where he practised as a registered massage therapist for 40+ years.
Natale was so loved and respected in the massage therapy community. He taught in a number of colleges and developed and taught his own courses. Through his teaching and practice, his kindness, skill, compassion and generosity will always be remembered, his great influence lives on in the many great therapists he so kindly and thoughtfully shared his extensive knowledge with.
Natale has touched the hearts and lives of many; he was so loved and respected. He will be sadly missed as a husband, a brother, an uncle, a teacher, a neighbour, and a friend.
He was predeceased by his parents Luigi and Maria Annunziata, and also his son Kris. He is survived by his brother, Dominic, and two sisters, Lina, and Mary. He is also survived by his in-laws, Bill, Rae, Steve, Dianne, Paul, Monica, and Veronica. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 13
Donna
I just heard about this. I am so sorry for your loss.
I think of you often Donna and have many fantastic memories growing up with you and our days at the ranch. I did not know your husband but I am sure he was a wonderful man if he was with you.
Sending you love through this very tough time. Love Linda
Hello Donna,
Just read of Natale’s death, I am so sorry for your loss. He helped me for years with his amazing ability and knowledge of the body and how it functioned. A very kind, caring and generous man. I hope for you during this time of grief to be assured of his service to many of us!
Kind regards, Maureen
Donna
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband, Natale. He certainly left his mark on this earth and on those he loved like you.
My thoughts are with you as your heart mourns his loss.
Kindly,
Trish
Dearest Donna,
Our deepest condolences during this very sad time. Natale was a very dear and special man to me. His insight and thoughtfulness was beyond compare. He was so very fortunate to have such a beautiful caring soul like yourself, and vice-versa. Words cannot express much in grief. Should you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. Big hugs.
Ruth & Darren
Natale
You will always be remembered by me as not only a neighbor but a very special friend.
Your sincere friendship and soft demeanor has influenced my life.
God bless you. Rest in peace my friend.
Donna, I am so sorry to hear this news. My heart felt condolences to you and Natale’s family.
Natale was a a beautiful soul with a healing touch. In 2007 Natale, Donna and I opened the doors of Namaste Yoga and wellness center. I remember the final day he was leaving the studio to pursue another direction; he stood at the doorway, looked around and said, “A lot of healing happened here in this space”.
With heartfelt intentions, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Donna. The world lost a beautiful soul and you lost a soulmate. 💚
My sincerest condolences to Donna and family. As a grateful student of Natale I am shocked and saddened a that this wonderful man will no longer be with us to provide us guidance, wisdom and wit.
Years after graduating, bumping into him at AGMs or seminars his grace and enthusiasm was always present. He always expressed interest in how we(former students) were progressing in the field. He was a cheerleader for our improvements and would be so positive and revel in our victories. We were so lucky to have him as a mentor and teacher and then as a colleague as we matured into the RMTs that he hoped and worked hard to help us become.
His always cheerful smile and attitude will be greatly missed by all.
Travel well Natale.
Sending so much love to Donna and the whole family as you adjust to the loss of Natale in your lives. What a gift he was as a teacher and a therapist, and what a special, wise, grounded human being. He set a brilliant example for so many. Never forgotten!
Our deepest sympathies go out to you Donna and all of Natale’s family and friends. We had the privilege of having Natale as an instructor, a colleague and again as a post grad instructor. He was such an amazing person with an incredible sense of humour, generosity of knowledge and spirit and such kindness. I marvel when I think of all of the lives that he affected both with his own treatments but with the treatments that so many of us have given over the years. He made us all better therapists and his reach will continue to extend through us all when we continue to help others, remembering what he taught us.
Bonnie and Paul
Thoughts and prayers are with Natale’s wife, Donna, at this most difficult time.
Hello Donna,
My heartfelt condolences to you and all of Natalie’s family.
Natalie has been a part of my life as a massage therapist from my first year of college at WCCMT 32 years ago. He was a well loved TA and an even more loved instructor as I was privileged to experience doing the IFT series with Natale and Heather during which his cancer became too much to continue teaching.
His guidance as an instructor and therapist to myself and my boys has both enriched and influenced the course of my career. I am grateful to have been blessed by his mentorship.
I was very saddened to hear of Natale Rao. I did not have the pleasure of knowing him. I am a former student of his wife Donna, yoga instructor who always spoke so lovingly of Natale. Please know my thoughts are with you Donna. Amy Huppler