Giuseppe (Joseph) Ciocca passed away peacefully on March 23, 2024, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital at 98 years of age. Beloved husband of the late Antonietta Ciocca for over 45 years. Loving father of Roberto (Manpreet), Tony (Heather) and Mario. Cherished grandfather of Jaden, Aaron, Fraser, Ardyn, Kailyn, Trentin, Avalyn, Emmary, and Josselyn.
Born in Riccia, Province di Campobasso, Italy, on February 3, 1926, eldest child of four siblings of Giuseppe and Angela Ciocca. He served in the Italian navy and worked on the family farm until he immigrated in 1950 to Buenos Aires, Argentina where he met Antonietta the love of his life, coincidentally also from the same town, Riccia. He managed a refrigeration company and had his first son, Roberto. In 1965 he immigrated to Canada where sons Tony and Mario were born. He worked in appliance repair, and later in construction until his retirement.
Joseph enjoyed hunting; a necessary skill learned as a young adult in Italy. Following tradition, he enjoyed making wine each year from imported grapes, and sharing it with others. Every summer, a large vegetable garden was planted, a family affair, and the produce enjoyed and shared, a pleasure dad continued until his mid 90’s. As part of the Italian community, there were close association with other families, and we have fond memories with dad sharing holidays and attending picnics.
Most of all, Joseph loved and lived for his family. He worked hard and made sacrifices to ensure his family would have a better life in Canada. We remember his devotion and love toward our mom, which could not be more deeply expressed when he took care of her with kindness and patience in the last few years of her life as she suffered from dementia, eventually passing away in 2004. He was a loving and supportive father and imparted on us the value of family, importance of education, and striving to living a good moral life by ensuring we attended church every Sunday. He warmly and with love welcomed his daughters-in-laws, and with each grandchild his face would beam with happiness and pride as he held them in his arms.
Although independent until his early nineties, we will be forever grateful to Mario for being with dad every day, for companionship and in his later years providing the assistance needed so he could remain in his home until the near end of his life. Also, a special thanks to Joe Procopio, for his support and friendship which certainly enriched our dad’s life.
Remembered as a gentle, kind-hearted, honest, hardworking, loving, and with a warm smile, Joseph will forever be missed by his extended family and friends.
A private family service was held, and he was laid to rest at the Resurrection Cemetery.
