Elio Camatta

May 8th, 1930 – November 21st, 2022

Elio Camatta, beloved Husband and Father, Brother and Son, passed away, quietly, in his sleep, the evening of Monday, November 21ST, 2022, at the age of 92; Calgary, Alberta Canada. Mom, (Mary (Marisa) Camatta (October 11th, 1930 – June 30th, 2021), dad’s bride of 65 years and love of 76 years), always said that ‘God makes people and puts them together.’ This couldn’t be truer for my loving Parents.

Elio Camatta was born on May 8th, 1930, in Castelo, Espirito Santo, Brazil. He was the son of Clorinda Marcon- Camatta and Eugenio Camatta; one of five children. Life was difficult for the family, and Elio, from an early age, did all he could to help. The family left Brazil (the only home Elio had ever known), and returned to their homeland of Italy, when Elio was still young. In San Marino de Piave, Treviso, Italia, Elio apprenticed under a master cobbler and became a very talented shoemaker. His skilled hands created beauty, elegance, and perfection. This was his gift, and Elio embraced it; he took pride in it for the rest of his life.

Not long after, at sixteen, Marisa (Mary) caught his eye at a dance, and Elio was in love. He wanted to marry her at first sight. He loved to dance with her. They were engaged soon after. They planned their life together. Elio was to leave Italy for Canada first and then Marisa would follow; they were in search of a better life for them and their future family. Elio boarded the T.S.S. Olympia in Venecia, and arrived at Pier 21, Halifax on May 16th, 1955. Elio settled in Calgary, began working on the CPR, and sent Marisa money for her departure. On October 1st, 1956, Marisa, disembarked the Andrea Dorea just as Elio had done the year before. They married on October 13th, 1956, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary. Their dream had begun.

Elio and Marisa forged their dream out of love, faith and hard work. They found a modest home and eventually opened their own business, Calgary Plaza Shoe Repair and Tailoring; where they worked side by side every day, until they retired. It was time to have a family. Their son, Oscar, was born October 30th, 1959, and their daughter, Clorinda (Cloe’), was born October 18th, 1968. Our family was complete when Rina (Marisa’s mom) joined us from Italy.

Dad’s passion for travel, took us to many amazing places. When home we all went camping, everywhere. Dad loved visiting new places and appreciated every minute. Dad loved when we were all together; it was always an adventure and a time where he could just relax and breathe. He was always planning our next getaway. His favorite spot was always Hawaii; he always liked to share that we had been ten times. Dad had a love for so many things. He loved beautiful cars, houses, jewelry, electronics, and shopping; he appreciated all things.

Another passion was his love of photography; he was always taking photos and reliving our experiences together. Dad’s first passion was for his family; he loved and loved and gave and gave. I could never know a greater love than his.

Dad was loving, kind, honest, charismatic, lighthearted, strong, adventurous, generous, and carefree; but he was so much more. This is how he lived, who he was, and how he is forever remembered. My dad was one true shining light in this world. Dad was a man of faith and believed deeply in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. There was no doubt in his mind that we would be together again. I am so blessed, to be able to say that he was, is, and forever will be, my dad. There is no one that I could honor more, and no one more deserving enough.

I love you so much dad and I will always remember you as the most loving Father. My sons (Jakey, Matty, and Bobby (Nini), and husband (Bobby), will never forget you, nor stop loving you. My tears will be here on earth and the emptiness will be, but when I am with you again, only joy and peace. In your word's dad, ‘I’ll wait for you’, and in mine ‘...I promise I’m coming Dad’.

Dad suffered deeply, every day, in the wake of Mom’s passing the prior year, June 30th, 2021; until he finally came to be at peace with mom and suffered no more.

Elio Camatta, my dad, will always be lovingly and forever remembered and sadly missed by his two children; Oscar and Clorinda “Cloe”, Bobby, his grandchildren; Jacob, Matthew, Bobby, Damien and Chelsea, his brother (Gianni), his nieces and nephews, Lucia and all who knew him.

Dad, Elio Camatta, deeply missed, but never forgotten, and to be together once more. God bless you dad; I love you so much. I’m lost and broken, but I’m grateful that you are finally with mom, where you wanted to be, and at peace. Please look over us.

This is not traditional, I realize, however, there’s no other way to put dad into words, he was so much more. By: Clorinda (Cloe’) Picou – Forever Dad’s Daughter.