Joseph Joel Pizzolante

Rev. Dr. Joseph J. Pizzolante March 22, 1934 – October 7, 2012    Guiseppe Gioele Pizzolante was born to Vincenzo and Sara Pizzolante on March 22nd, 1934 in Genova, Italy. Growing up in the Brethren Church, he served as a young adult as both elder and lay preacher. It was while working as a printer that he also attended school and received a diploma in business. In 1958 he married the “love of his life”, Damaris Marzone; and four years later, in 1962, they welcomed their first born - a son, Paolo (Paul). In 1964 the family of three emigrated to Canada and made their home in Downsview (Toronto), where their daughter, Louise (Luisa), was born the following year. While working as a printer for the Toronto Telegram, Joe attended the University of Toronto where he graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Romance Languages.    In 1972 Joe was offered the position of minister for the Church of the Redeemer /Chiesa del Redentore, an Italian United Church in Hamilton, Ontario. While serving in this capacity, Joe continued his studies at McMaster Divinity College, receiving the degree of Master of Divinity in 1975, and being ordained in the same year by the United Church of Canada. From 1978 to 1986 Joe also served as President and Secretary of the National Ethnic Committee of that same body. During his early years at the Church of the Redeemer, Joe recognized a need for an Italian hymnal and undertook to either translate hymns into Italian or discover already existing hymns in Italian, an endeavour resulting in the publication of a bilingual Italian/English hymnal, which was used for many years in the church. He served that congregation faithfully for more than 20 years.    In 1974 Joe was nominated to the Board of what is today the Dundurn Community Legal Clinic (of the Ontario Legal Aid Plan), where he held the position of chairman until 2008. Hired by the Etobicoke Board of Education in 1987 to direct the International Elementary Languages (Heritage Languages) Programme,  he was instrumental, during his years there, in the expansion of the programme from 4  languages to 25. In 1989 he became President of the Genovese Association (Gente di Liguria), where over the years he greatly assisted in the organization of an art exhibition showcasing works of art from the Art Gallery in Genova, and participated in bringing an exposition from Italy to the C.N.E. in 1997 during the commemorative year of Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot).  In 1999 he retired from the Etobicoke Board of Education only to be invited that same year to accept the position of minister by the Toronto West Presbytery (United Church of Canada) at the Italian United Church of St. Paul-Pietro Valdo in Toronto, where he served that church for ten years.    Perhaps the most prestigious honour of Joe’s career came in the year 2000, when he received the “Star of Merit” and an honorary doctorate from the President of the Italian Republic for his many years of service to both the Italian and Canadian communities.    Joe’s love and pride for his family was constantly expressed by him and evidenced by the multitude of photos and recordings made over the years. He will be remembered lovingly by his entire family - his wife of 54 years, Damaris, his son Paul and daughter-in-law, Carole, his daughter Louise and son-in-law, Ken and his two grandchildren – Sarah and Nathaniel.    Joe will be sadly missed by his loving family as darling husband Pino, Papà/Daddy and Nonno.  He will also be dearly missed by his many extended family, friends and associates. Pino, Papà, Daddy, Nonno, We will miss you greatly but look forward to the day when we will meet up with you in the presence of our Lord. With all our love, Your Family