EX-LEGAL EAGLE LET LOVE OF ARTS SOAR
Passion for creativity reflected in patron’s generosity
The story of how Serge Sasseville and François Dell’Aniello met is hilarious in that they actually had two first encounters. Separate groups of friends wanted them to meet. One had organized a dinner where Sasseville and Dell’Aniello were introduced to one another. The two men then grabbed a meal the following night.
The next week, they were both invited to a cocktail by the others. They arrived after each other, and the friends happily introduced the two, not knowing they had already met.
“We looked at each other, shook hands, and said, ‘It’s nice to meet you,’ ” Sasseville said. “It’s that night where I went to his apartment and never went back to mine.”
Dell’Aniello, a retired lawyer who died on July 5 of cancer, was a lover of art and fashion. Blessed with an impeccable sense of style, he often wore something extravagant.
“He was always elegant,” Sasseville said. “The last few months, he was wearing a Chanel suit for men, with an open-collar shirt and a scarf around his neck, plus a diamond ring, and always shoes that you couldn’t miss.”
Fashion is one of the ways that Sasseville has honoured his longtime partner.
“Every day to keep his spirit alive, I wear some of his very youcan’t-miss-them shoes,” Sasseville said. “He liked shoes that you couldn’t miss.”
Dell’Aniello was a patron of the arts. Sasseville and he had a collection of paintings at their home, and served on an acquisition committee for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. They were also involved with the Musée d’art contemporain foundation. Dell’Aniello would often go to Art Mûr’s annual exhibition for young artists and purchase their work. One of the artists he championed was Nika Fontaine, who earned an honourable mention in the 2016 RBC Canadian Painting Competition.
“It was a passion for him,” Sasseville said.
“He collected work from established and well-known artists, but in the past few years, he was selling the work of those artists and replacing them with works by young and emerging artists. He had a good relationship with the artists and encouraged them.”
Sasseville and Dell’Aniello took
many trips over the years, visiting Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Their favourite city was Marrakesh. One moment in particular stood out for Sasseville.
“I remember a special night in Marrakesh, where the sun was going down on the terrace of the roof, and the sky was pink and blue, and we were just overlooking the city,” Sasseville said.
There was also an unforgettable experience in Venice. Sasseville and Dell’Aniello were looking at centuries-old ruins, when a musician overheard them speaking French. The man then invited them to a concert at a church, which led to a spectacular evening.
“I remember it was like a dream,” Sasseville said. “It was a magical night.”
Dell’Aniello’s generous nature wasn’t limited to the world of art. He recognized his good fortune and tried to help others. In 2006 through professional contacts, he was appointed as the Honorary Consul to El Salvador. Dell’Aniello took advantage of the opportunity to give back, sending shoes, soccer uniforms and unused wheelchairs to that country.
“He considered it his most important accomplishment,” Sasseville said.
As a person, Dell’Aniello had a radiant energy and character. He wanted to hear about other people and their experiences.
“He was always smiling and always interested in what people had to say,” Sasseville said.
For Sasseville’s 40th and 50th birthdays, Dell’Aniello had asked artists Carlito Dalceggio and Marc Séguin to create a piece that represented him. To commemorate Sasseville’s 60th birthday, Dell’Aniello made the same request to artist David Spriggs. Unfortunately, Dell’Aniello died before the occasion. However, friends and family of Sasseville made his wish come true, and Spriggs created 15 acetates representing their life together.
“I lived with him for half of my life, and I lost half of my life when he died,” Sasseville said.