Montrealer on being a parent & caregiver: ‘He gave me the strength’

"I miss him, he’s gone," said Giulia Garofano, mother of CF Montreal assistant coach, Jason Di Tullio, who recently lost his battle with brain cancer. Giulia shares her story, the strength of being a parent and caregiver. Pamela Pagano reports.

By Pamela Pagano

Posted September 30, 2022 11:14 pm.

Last Updated September 30, 2022 11:56 pm.

“La Grinta,” the Italian word for perseverance and determination – a nickname that thoroughly described the late Jason Di Tullio.

The CF Montreal assistant coach recently lost his battle with brain cancer in July, and left an immense impact on the Montreal soccer community. Today his mother, Giulia Garofano, welcomes CityNews into her home as she shares her story of being a caregiver, best friend, and mom grieving the loss of her beloved son.

“I miss him, he’s gone,” said Garofano. “I’ll never have that phone call, I’ll never have that hug.”

In June 2021, Di Tullio was diagnosis with Stage 4 glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Garofano lived with her son through that year, something she now considers a gift.

“I knew what he liked, what he didn’t like, the way he spoke,” she explained. “He’s humble, kind, he would tell me ‘mom, I never knew how strong you were’.”

“He gave me the strength all that year,” she added.

The 38-year-old had traveled the world, and shared kindness, a laugh, and smile everywhere he turned.

Giulia Garofano shows CityNews reporter, Pamela Pagano, a photo of her late son. (Credit: CityNews)

Just two months after her son’s passing, Garofano says she’s yet to find in-person English resources in Montreal’s East End to help with grief.

“As much as you love your your loved ones, people have to understand that you can’t be superwoman all the time,” she explained, how being a caregiver can mean being present 24 hours a day. “Would I re-do it again? Of course,” she added. “I love him.”

Garofano’s new mission is to help other caregivers as much as she can. Saying she’s a phone call or message away.

“That’s my mission,” she said. “I want people to know that caring caregiving is not a death sentence.”

“I feel with all the caregivers, because it’s a tough job,” she added. “Should I say job? No, it’s just a journey.”