Tommaso "Tom" Durante

Tommaso was born on October 27, 1934, to Rosa Olivito and Giovanni Durante of San Giovanni in Fiore, Cosenza, Italy. In his childhood he worked tirelessly to help support his family.

In 1957 he immigrated to Canada, settling in Calgary and shortly after was joined by the love of his life, Vittoria. From tending to his garden, to making wine and sausages, canning tomatoes, travelling, and camping in the orchards of the Okanagan, Tommaso was always one to enjoy the finer things in life. He was always a fan of sports, catching the soccer games being streamed early in the morning from Italy, and at nights could be found watching the Flames and Stampeders.

Tommaso’s greatest passion in his life was his family. From family dinners, to Sunday picnic’s in the mountains, or decorating his Christmas tree with his grandkids, Tommaso’s smile never faded. He always went above and beyond to get to know all he encountered, whether at the grocery store or the swimming pool, and never hesitated to lend a helping hand whenever someone was in need.

Tommaso is survived by his wife Vittoria, son John, daughter Dianne (Nelson), five grandchildren; Ashley, Tom, Brittany, Corey and Stephanie. In addition, he is survived by his brothers; Pasquale, Giuseppe (Teresa); sisters Maria Aiello, Serafina Gentile, Filomena, Teresa, and Virginia Durante, sister-in-law Caterina Madia, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents Giovanni and Rosa, brothers; Saverio and Salvatore, two sisters Antoinetta, Caterina, father and mother-in-law Giovanni Lopez and Teresa Allevato, and daughter-in-law Virginia Greco-Durante.

The family would like to extend gratitude to all of the caregivers over the last couple of years and special thanks to Dr. Louw, Dr. Keegan, and the staff of Hillcrest Extendicare.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tommaso’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary, #800 -7015 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB, T2H 2K6.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at Ascension Catholic Parish, 1100 Berkshire Blvd NW on Monday, September 30, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.; viewing at 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. ; tributes at 10:45 a.m. Entombment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery Mausoleum.