Following a lengthy illness Joseph passed away peacefully with his family by his side on November 26th 2022 at St.Boniface Hospital at the age of 83.
He will be deeply missed and remembered by his best friend and devoted love of his life, wife Gail; daughters Heather, Susan (Wayne) and Sandra (Mark); grandchildren: Ally (Adrian) Rae (Stephen), Kyle, Luke, Eric (Samantha), Carter; great grandchild Luca; sisters Nene DiLisi, Marie Attardo of Toronto, ON, and Angela Comella of Chicago, IL.
Joseph was predeceased by his mother Maria and his father Anthony; sisters Augastina and Josie; and son in law Jeff Martin.
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday December 13th ,2022 at 1:00 PM Klassen Funeral Home, 1897 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg, MB, R2G 1P4 with a viewing prior to the service at 12:30. Interment to follow at Kildonan Presbyterian Cemetery, 2373 Main St, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4T6.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba.
Joe was born in Termini, Imerese, Sicily August 11th 1939. He immigrated to Winnipeg with his father and sisters in 1952. He was predeceased by his mother Maria at the age of 5.
He spent his teen years in St. Boniface attending Holy Cross School. Shortly after arriving in Canada his father passed away at the age of 52 when our dad was 15 years old. He lived with his sisters until he met his lifelong partner and devoted wife Gail, they were married in 1959. Dad was always surrounded and adored by girls having 5 older sisters. Later welcoming 3 daughters, arriving 1960 was their first daughter Heather, Susan in 1963 followed by Sandra in 1965. Joe and Gail resided in Elmwood and East Kildonan with their growing family and retired to Sandy Hook in 1999.
Dad was employed at Canada Wire and Cable and retired from Winnipeg Hydro after 28 years in 1997.
Dad was always an energetic and hardworking man. He instilled this work ethic in his daughters. He had many hobbies that grew from his Sicilian roots. Wine making, bread making, gardening and his artistic nature, intertwined all aspects of his life.
There was always music, dancing and singing in our house. Dad spent many hours dancing with Gail and his girls. Some of his favorite artists were Elvis, Nat King Cole, Connie Francis and Mario Lanza.
Dad loved the outdoors and took his family on many camping adventures. Camping out to BC and Toronto were definite highlights. Rushing River was a family favorite with Dad always finding the perfect camping spot.
Mom and Dad moved from camping to lake life, purchasing a cabin on Lake Winnipeg in Sandy Hook in 1987. They refurbished their cabin, “Luna Bianca” with a Sicilian flair. Dad was proud of the outdoor pizza oven he built. The Sicilian cart and horse in the yard was a landmark. Dad made a beautiful mural of his home town in the sun room. After his retirement Joe and Gail resided at Sandy Hook until his illness in 2014.
Dads’ other loves of his life were his 6 grandchildren, Alex, Rae, Kyle, Luke, Eric and Carter as well as 1 great grandchild Luca. He enjoyed doting on them and sharing “Chickpea stories “and his memories growing up in Sicily.
In 2014 Dad experienced a life altering health issue that affected his zest for life. Then in 2020 he was diagnosed with cancer that he fought bravely for 2 years. Even though his spark for life had faded, it was reignited whenever he saw one of his grandchildren. His eyes lit up whenever he spent time with them. This past summer he met his great grandson, Luca who was born in Italy, this brought him so much joy!
The family would like to extend the deepest gratitude to the Palliative Care staff at the St. Boniface Hospital for their care and compassion during our father’s brief stay.
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