Angelo Antonio Calabrese

Born on April 12, 1957, in Cambridge, Ontario, Angelo grew up in the vibrant Preston community, where he attended Preston High School and ran track and field, which laid the foundation for a life full of drive, determination, and heart.

Beloved husband of Jolinda, cherished father of Joan and Luis, and loving son of Giuliana, Angelo was the devoted brother of Rose (wife of Joe) and Tina (wife of Troy), and the treasured uncle of Jennifer (predeceased), Jessica, Devin (married to Racheal), and Alex. He was also the adored master of his loyal dog, Walnut, and is now reunited with his beloved late dog, Tony. He is predeceased by his father, Angelo Calabrese.

Angelo graduated with top honours from George Brown College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality program, and went on to dedicate his life to his true calling: cooking. A professional chef by trade and a culinary artist by nature, Angelo specialized in classic Italian cuisine, yet he was just as gifted in crafting Asian dishes with care and finesse. His tiramisu was unmatched, and anyone who was lucky enough to taste it knew it was made with love.

More than just a career, food was Angelo’s language of love. His annual backyard barbeque parties were legendary—filled with laughter, mouthwatering ribs, and the warmth of close family and friends. He passed down his passion generously, mentoring Luis in the art of cooking and sharing baking secrets (and tiramisu recipe) with Joan, creating a legacy that will live on in their hands and hearts. Angelo was a two-time Ribfest champion, a devoted WWE fan who rarely missed Monday Night Raw or Friday SmackDown, and a curious foodie who loved dining out with his family to explore new dishes and deepen bonds. He also found joy in watching cooking shows, cheering on his favorite chefs, and finding inspiration for his next kitchen masterpiece. He was a quiet teacher, a kind soul, and a man whose generosity and humour left a mark on everyone who met him.

His extraordinary talent, gentle strength, and unwavering devotion to his family will be deeply missed. The lessons he taught on kindness, passion, perseverance, and the beauty of sharing a good meal will be carried forward by all who knew and loved him.

The Calabrese family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the ER and Health teams at Cambridge Memorial Hospital for their compassion and care during Angelo’s final days. Special thanks to Pat, Angelo’s closest cousin, and her husband Rocco, for standing by the family during the most difficult moments. They also wish to express their deepest appreciation to the physiotherapy team at the Freeport Campus of Grand River Hospital.