Dante’s Story

Dante Adriano Caranci was a bright, joyful seven year-old from London, Ontario, whose love of life was evident to everyone who knew him.

He was a cherished son to Stefano and Jacqueline, a beloved brother to Vincenzo, and a proud grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Dante was a student at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Delaware and a spirited player with the Lambeth Lancers Minor Hockey team. He enjoyed playing hockey, soccer, building with LEGO, snuggling with his teddy bears, and video games like Fortnite, simple joys that brought laughter and light to those around him.

A young boy in a yellow hockey jersey making a surprised face while sitting on the floor of a locker room. He is holding a small plastic bag with snacks, and there are sports bags, jackets, and a water bottle around him.
Three children in hockey gear on ice rink, one boy in front holding a large silver trophy with medals, smiling.
Young boy in hockey gear wearing a helmet, red hockey jersey, black shorts, striped socks, and skates, holding a hockey stick, standing on indoor ice rink floor against beige brick wall.
A smiling young boy wearing a blue winter jacket and a striped beanie, holding a hockey puck, indoors.
Young boy dressed in hockey gear, including a helmet with a clear face shield, hockey gloves, and a white jersey with a red lion logo, sitting at the edge of an ice rink inside the hockey arena. He is smiling and looking at the camera. Behind him, th
Two young boys in hockey gear standing on an ice rink, posing for a photo, with hockey sticks in their hands and wearing orange jerseys with a blue emblem, helmets, and skates.
Two young boys in hockey gear and uniforms, wearing helmets, standing on rollerblades, holding hockey sticks, and posing for a photo in an indoor setting with a painted arrow on the floor pointing downward.
Group of young ice hockey players wearing maroon jerseys, kneeling and smiling with a backdrop of stylized glasses and text that says 'Dante' and 'Cairnci'.
A young boy in a hockey jersey sitting on a bench, smiling, holding up three fingers in a peace sign, with jerseys and jackets hanging on the wall behind him.
A young boy smiling while standing on a tiled floor, wearing a brown and teal sports jersey and matching pants.
A young boy wearing hockey gear, including a helmet and jersey, at an indoor ice skating rink. The boy is smiling, and in the background are other skaters and hockey practice activity.
Two young boys wearing hockey gear, including helmets, gloves, skates, and jerseys with a red lion logo, posing with hockey sticks against a gray cinder block wall.
Two young boys wearing matching sports jerseys and rollerblades, smiling and standing together on an indoor rink.
Two young boys in hockey uniforms hugging each other on an indoor ice rink, with one boy smiling at the camera.
A young boy sitting on a concrete porch in front of a wooden door and a house with dark siding. He is wearing a yellow soccer jersey and black shorts, smiling at the camera with a devious look. There are pink and red flowers in a pot next to him.
A young boy in a hockey uniform sitting on a bench, smiling at the camera. He is wearing a white hockey jersey with maroon and blue accents, and has a black neck guard and a black wristband.
Hockey coach and young players in orange and blue jerseys posing against the wall in an indoor hockey rink.
Two young boys in yellow soccer jerseys sitting on a front porch step, smiling. There are potted flowers on either side, and a wooden front door in the background.
A young boy wearing a winter jacket and a red hockey hat is smiling and holding a hockey puck that says 'Player of the Game'. He is standing in front of hockey team photos on the wall.
A young boy in a red hockey jersey with a blue and white logo, holding a hockey stick in one hand and a hockey medal in the other, standing in front of a wall with various team pictures and plaques.
Young boy standing on a grassy field, wearing a yellow soccer jersey with the word 'Hots' on it and a red medal around his neck, smiling at the camera.
Two young boys standing on a grassy field, with one holding a small trophy, smiling at the camera, and both dressed in sports attire on a sunny day with trees in the background.
A young boy standing on a grassy field holding a trophy, wearing a blue soccer uniform and smiling after a soccer game.
Two young boys sitting on a front step, wearing yellow soccer jerseys, smiling. There are potted flowers on either side of them, and a wooden front door behind.
A coach presents a trophy to a young soccer player during an award ceremony on a green field, with other kids in blue soccer uniforms watching.
A young boy in a yellow hockey jersey with black and white accents is sitting in a locker room, holding a plastic bag with a snack. He has short brown hair and is making a surprised or playful face. Behind him, there are coats hanging on the wall, a
Children in blue soccer uniforms holding trophies pose for a photo on a grassy field after winning a game, with one girl in a yellow goalkeeper's jersey kneeling in front.
A young hockey player in black and yellow uniform with the logo 'Herm's Sport Exchange', wearing a helmet, gloves, and skates, standing on indoor ice hockey rink, holding a hockey stick, smiling with a thumbs-up gesture. Behind him is a wall with pos
A young boy with brown hair and blue eyes is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a light blue collared shirt with shark prints and a navy blue hoodie. The background shows a white door.
A young boy in a red Byron shirt, black shorts, and blue sneakers standing outdoors in front of a wooden fence, holding a baseball glove in his right hand, wearing a black baseball cap, and smiling.

A note from Jacquie + Stefano

In our darkest moment, when our world around us fell apart, our community came forward. Our friends, neighbours, members of the local community, and our hockey family near and far rallied together to support our family, unbeknownst to us. Most significantly, through a Go Fund Me campaign that provided substantial financial support during our early stages of grief, carried our family when we were unable to carry ourselves. 

Through the selfless generosity, love, and support we felt from our community, we feel a deep sense of duty to honour and pay forward the compassion shown to our family. In honour of Dante, we want to help families by providing the same care, dignity, and compassion that was extended to us. 

The Dante Caranci Foundation was created out of gratitude and purpose, with the intention of supporting families facing life-altering tragedy and ensuring that no family feels alone during their most difficult moments.

The Foundation is our way of thanking the community that held us up, and of extending that same love and support forward to others when they need it most, while also carrying on the legacy of our sweet boy, Dante.