Gabriele Mazzotta

December 18, 1922 – April 21, 2019

Gabriele passed away surrounded by his family at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home on April 21, 2019.

He is survived by his wife, Anna, and three daughters, Tina Canonico, Carmela (Antonio) Gervasi, and Aurora Askew. Grandchildren, Gina (Brian) Saunderson, Moss (Michelle) Canonico, Stefania Canonico, Gabriel (Julia) Gervasi, Sara Gervasi, Jonathan and Michael Askew. Plus six great-grandchildren: Joel and Maia Canonico, Simona and Ezio Branzanti, and Aliyah and Anthony Williams. One sister, Emilia, in Italy and family, friends, and in-laws in Canada and in Italy.

He is predeceased by his parents Clementina and Carmine and his siblings: Vincenzina, Maria, Vincenzo, Immacolata, and Settimio. His sons-in-law Vincenzo Canonico and James Askew.

Gabriele was born in Lago, Cosenza, Italy the fourth of seven children. He moved to Canada with his family in 1967 having worked in Germany for the previous 10 years. He worked with the City of Kamloops, retiring in 1979. Gabriele served in the Second World War and spent the last two years in Vienna. He had fond memories of his time in Vienna and spoke of the kindness of the people there. He often told stories of locals sharing bread with him when they hardly had enough for themselves.

The family would like to thank Drs. Cattaneo and Weimar and receptionist, Robyn, for their wonderful care as well as the staff at Royal Inland Hospital and Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice. A very special thank you to the neighbours, especially to Betty and Rick Petchnick.

Gabriele had a great passion for music and dancing and would not pass up a chance to dance to the Cumparsita. As a memory for Gabriele, one can listen to The Blue Danube waltz, one of his favourite pieces of music.

Friends wishing to pay their respects by viewing are invited to do so on Thursday, April 25 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in the Schoening Funeral Chapel.

The Reverend Father Paul Simms will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Friday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Should friends desire, donations to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home or a charity of choice would be appreciated in Gabriele’s memory.