Giovanni Battista Antonio Carpanini, known as John to friends and family, passed away peacefully on 27th January at the age of 93.
Born in Cwmcarn in 1931 to Anna Maria Zani and Giuseppe Carpanini, John was a colourful character who lived a life shaped by hard work, family, and a drive for more.

The sixth of seven siblings—Lina, Maria, Luigi, Rudolf, Frank, John and Luisa—John’s early years were far from straightforward. After his parents lost two of their children, Maria and Luigi, to illness as infants, John’s parents sent him away from busy Wales to Bardi, where he was cared for by extended family. He spent most of his childhood in Bardi and the surrounding towns, and always looked back on Bardi as his true home.




John’s childhood in Bardi during World War II left him with no shortage of stories, from the German occupation to the everyday struggles of life during wartime. The Carpanini family back in Wales also felt the war’s impact directly; John’s father, Giuseppe, was among the many Italian men in Britain who were arrested and lost at sea aboard the ill-fated Arandora Star. His sister Lina later passed away at the age of 21, leaving his mother, Anna Maria, to manage their café in Cwmcarn on her own.
After the war, and speaking no English, John returned to Wales to help his mother. He worked in the family café alongside his brothers Rudolf and Frank, and sister Luisa, selling ice cream and serving the local community. During this time, John also served for a time in the British Army. However, John became eager for new opportunities when in 1952 Frank moved to Toronto, Canada and sent home a photograph of himself beside an expensive car. Inspired by Frank’s seeming success, John followed suit, arriving in Canada in 1953—only to find out the car was never Frank’s at all!



True to his resourceful nature, John walked into an enlistment office and joined the Canadian Air Force, training as an electrical engineer. In 1955, he returned to Wales to marry Ada Myles, and the couple began their married life stationed at RCAF Station Grostenquin in Saint-Avold, France, where they welcomed their first two children, Luisa in 1955 and Paul in 1957.



When John’s overseas posting ended, the family returned to Canada settling in Belleville. This marked a period of stability in their so-far nomadic life. During this time, John and Ada expanded their family to six when they welcomed two more children, Angelo in 1959 and Rita in 1960. Belleville became their home for several years, a time John valued as he balanced family life with his Air Force career.



As is often the case for military families, change came frequently and the Carpanini family’s adventures continued with moves to Germany and Sardinia. Initially the family were posted to Canadian Forces Base Lahr in Germany, before moving to what John looked back on as the highlight of his Air Force career; Decimomannu Air Base in Sardinia.
John spoke fondly of his time in Sardinia; not only did it bring the familiarity of his home country, but its stunning scenery and surreal experiences, like shopping trips to Pisa aboard military jets, provided cherished memories that stayed with him for years to come. Sardinia proved to be the final chapter to the family’s life in mainland Europe. In the early ‘70s John was posted back to Canada and after turning down a base in the rural north, his final station was Ottawa.
In early 1975, the family welcomed its youngest child, John Jr. Looking to retire from the air force and open to new opportunities, John learned that his uncle, Rinaldo Zani, was selling his café in Newbridge. Eager to start the family’s next chapter, John bought the café, prompting another move back across the Atlantic. The café became a central hub for the local community, making the Carpanini family well known in the area. Never one to rest on his laurels, John expanded his business ventures to include the latest craze: amusement arcades.


Once John retired, many former customers, employees, and business associates still inquired after him when encountering his family members. His impact extended far beyond his immediate circle, as his work ethic and distinctive personality touched so many in the communities he served. He is fondly remembered as a formidable businessman, a good boss, and a truly unique character.
Throughout it all, Bardi remained a constant. John frequently returned to his beloved hometown, often coinciding with his brother Frank’s holidays there. Even as their lives took them to opposite sides of the globe, it was Bardi that brought them together. In later years, many family members, including his mother and siblings Rudolf and Luisa retired to the town, where they lived with their uncle, Luigi Zani.



John first became a grandfather in the 1980s and was affectionately known as Grancha to his grandchildren. He embraced this role with pride, cherishing the time spent with his grandchildren and especially loved sharing ‘his’ Italy with them—whether exploring Bardi, the town he held closest to his heart, or visiting the other places that shaped his family’s story.




In his later years, he became a great-grandfather and as his health declined and he could no longer be as active, the presence of his great-grandchildren never failed to brighten his days. His face would light up the moment they entered the room, their energy and laughter bringing him immense joy.



John’s interests were as practical as they were unexpected. He loved poring over old family photos and documents, keeping the stories of his ancestors alive. True to his engineering and hardworking roots, he could often be found in his workshop fixing broken equipment – a testament to his ‘make do and mend’ mentality. And, perhaps surprisingly for such a practical man, he had a soft spot for John Candy films.
John was also a familiar face in the Welsh-Italian community, attending festas in both Wales and Italy with his family. Though his life was marked by frequent moves and upheaval, his ability to adapt and connect with others left a lasting impression.


John is survived by his wife, five children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. John’s life was defined by determination and a deep connection to his roots. He will be remembered fondly and missed greatly by all who knew him, whether in Wales, Italy, or beyond.
A presto, John.

John’s history in photographs
John with him mother, Anna Maria Zani John as a young child, in Italy John’s father, Giuseppe, selling ice cream. A young John with his aunt, Maria, and sisters, Lina and Luisa. An ivy clad Bardi castle, as John would have known it as a child. Brother’s Frank, John and Rudolf, in their shop coats. John during his time with the British Army. John and Ada on their wedding day. John and Ada, with a young Louise. The Carpanini’s, now with a baby Paul, outside the Cwmcarn cafe. Frank, possibly with the car. Ada with children Louise, Paul and baby Angelo John with a baby Rita at Wassaga Beach, Canada. John with Paul, Louise, Angelo and Rita in the stroller. Ada with their children; Louise, Paul, Angelo and Rita, in Canada. Siblings; Paul, Rita, Angelo and Louise with their uncle Luigi on a visit to Bardi from Canada Siblings; Rudolf, John, Luisa and Frank together in Bardi. Paul, Rita, Louise and Ada outside their cafe in Newbridge. John working in one of his amusement arcades John with his son, John jr, and their uncle Luigi in Bardi. John and Ada with their son John jr, and grandchildren, Francesca and a baby Alex. John’s children; Angelo, John jr, Rita and Louise with his grandchildren Marco, Francesco, Alex and a baby Michelle John with his family at an AVC Scampagnata. John with his family and friends at a festa in Bardi. John with his family. John in Venice with his wife, Ada, son, Paul, and daughter-in-law, Kathy John with his grandson, Noah. John with his three-week-old, third great-grandchild, Santino. John examining his family tree. John Carpanini