http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2247054

Posted By MONIQUE BEECH , STANDARD STAFF
January 5, 2010

Excerpts…
In the Ontario wine industry, Gabe Magnotta was a maverick.

As head of Magnotta Winery Corp., he was the guy who took on giants, such as the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, and won.

On Dec. 30, the 59-year-old wine entrepreneur died after a seven-year battle with Lyme disease, a tick-borne viral infection that can lead to disorders of the heart, joints or nervous system.

By all accounts, Magnotta was a dedicated family man who had three children — Tommaso, Joseph and Alessia — and a granddaughter, Gabriella.

As Lyme disease took hold of Magnotta, Rossana took over the reins of the company. The family also became strong advocates in raising awareness of the disease, which can be cured with antibiotics if detected early.

The couple sold a selection of wines to benefit the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation.