A Database of the Dead

Rudi was a beloved, eccentric Italian man with an unforgettable laugh and a fantastic moustache. A cherished member of our family, husband to my Aunt Julie for 30 years and father to my best friend, Kathryn Louise. He was a friend to so many. Everywhere Rudi went, he would run into someone he knew. Even while on holiday in another country, we would hear someone shouting out his name gleefully from down the street. He took me on my first trip to Italy. I will always cherish those memories, especially visiting the small, beautiful mountain village where he was born, Lana. He loved music, of all kinds. Some of my earliest memories were in the car with him and Kathryn, speeding along the Braids Hills Road, blasting our favourite “Swinging 60s” cassette tape. Or Pavarotti in the house. Or Nirvana. Or Black Sabbath. He loved riding his motorcycle. He was an amazing chef and ran a successful Italian restaurant, Pinocchio’s, for many years before finally opening Rudi, his namesake, the famous delicatessen on Forrest Road that consistently has a lineup out the door. One comfort we have is that his shop now stands as a bright green and yellow monument to him in the heart of Edinburgh (a heart over the “i” captures his spirit). He taught us all so much about cooking and made every family gathering an event, full of good food, wine, laughter, and silliness. The pandemic forced us to watch his funeral through a screen, over 3000 miles away from our loved ones, who we could see were in pain as they sat six feet apart in the chapel, unable to hug each other and properly say goodbye. We all feel robbed. He deserved so much more. Ciao Rudi. Rest peacefully. Ti voglio bene.

Jack was my Grandpa, but I called him Grump. He was not a grump, but a sweet, quiet, generous man, kind to all who knew him. He was fantastic at crosswords and trivia. He had a great sense of humour. My nana Rita was his best friend and love of his life for 66 years. He loved his grandchildren, the Glasgow Rangers to a fault, and a nip of Famous Grouse at the end of the day. We miss him so much.

A beloved wife, a beloved mom, a beloved grandmother. She sacrificed her life for her family, she worked so hard to rise her kids up through difficult times, she stood beside her husband in difficult times, she draw a smile over the face of each one she met, she was a helpful kind generous person. She suffered of kidney failure at end. May GOD rest her soul in peace .. Amen.

She was a strong and powerful black women with 2 businesses while raising 5 kids as a single mother.She died at 53 years old and I miss her every day.
She was beautiful and so stylish.She like fashion and was very particular with the way she dressed herself.
She had the most wonderful laugh.She could lit up a room just by being there.

1969 - 2020

Henry is a kind loving soul. He loves life and always performs to his best ability. He loves sports and played them competively. He makes friends easily and always have a helping hand for them. He is missed by all the family and friends.

Jim is my grandfather. He looks like Bing Crosby. Or Humphrey Bogart. Or JD Salinger. He was wise and laughed at himself when he was frustrated or confounded. He loved me completely and unconditionally. His smile is instant and ever present in my memory.

Carlton passed on August 27th 2017 , motor bike accident, Khalid and Carlton was friends from early childhood days, Khalid passed on 27th 2016 and Carlton 2017. Two kind hearted soul