Pasquale Caligiuri

Pasquale Caligiuri passed away on October 28, 2015 after a lengthy and difficult struggle with Alzheimer disease.

Pasquale was born in Miglierina, Italy on February 9, 1931 to Giuseppe and Raffaela Caligiuri. On October 10, 1953 he married the love of his life Maria Stella Guzzo. His first two children Giuseppi and Raffaela were born in Italy. On March 1958, he made the difficult decision to leave Italy and moved to Argentina in January 1959. Pasquale hoped to find stable employment and a good quality of life for his family in Buenos Aires, and to join all of Maria’s family who had already moved there. His second son Michael was born in Buenos Aires. Unfortunately, quality work in Argentina was difficult to find, so Pasquale made the decision to explore his work options in Canada. His brother Giuseppe was residing in Prince Rupert, British Colombia at that time. In 1960 Dad left his wife and three children in Buenos Aires and joined his brother in British Columbia. Following his dream of stable employment in his trade, he moved to Winnipeg in 1962 where he was employed by a commercial and residential painting contractor. In July 1963 his wife and three children joined him in Winnipeg. His second daughter Rachel was born in Winnipeg. In 1966 he joined the staff at the University of Manitoba where he worked as a painter/tile setter until his retirement in 1989.

Dad was predeceased by his parents Giuseppe and Raffaela Caligiuri, his brother Domenico and Giuseppe, and his sister Francesca. He is survived by his son Giuseppi (Glenda), daughter Raffaela (Felice), son Michael (Barbara), and daughter Rachel (Brian). He is also survived by his grandchildren Candace (Walter), Giuseppe, Ryan (Vanessa), Anne (Ryan), Giovanna, Claire (Brian), Stephanie, Pasquale, Adam, and Melisa, and two great-grandchildren Averie and Cameron. As well, he is survived by his two nephews, Erminio Caligiuri and Pasquale Caligiuri, one niece, Raffaelina Ingram, and his sister-in-law Lucia Caligiuri (Giuseppe).

Dad was a hardworking man with a focus to provide for his family. Even while in care, his greatest concern when his family visited was to ask them to sit down and eat with him. He was very proud of his children’s successes, as well as that of his grandchildren. His faith was important to him. For over 30 years he could be seen in the second pew in front of the tabernacle at Holy Rosary Church. He took pride in his garden, and until recently the yearly production of his own wine. He loved spending time with his family. There were many Sunday afternoons spent at his house enjoying good homemade food and wine. It was very rare that he missed going to a local beach on Sunday in the summer. Dad and mom have been blessed with many lifelong friends. Getting together with them to enjoy a meal and a visit provided mush enjoyment for Dad.

A favourite winter getaway was Cuba where Dad and Mom travelled to enjoy the sun and warmth during our prairie winters. Dad loved Cuba and its people. There were many winter trips to Mexico and a trip to the Dominican Republic. For the 25th wedding anniversary Dad and Mom travelled to Hawaii. They enjoyed two trips back to visit family in Buenos Aires and three trips to Italy to visit family who reside in various cities throughout Italy. While he was blessed with the opportunity to travel to many places, his home town of Miglierina remained very close to his heart. Maintaining his Italian culture was very important to Dad and he did what he could to pass this pride on to his children and grandchildren.

Wednesday’s at the Centro Caboto were a highlight for Dad. We wish to thank all of the great friends, staff and volunteers he met there for the enjoyment they provided to him. Thank you to the staff at Riverview Health Centre for the care you provided for Dad when he no longer was able to be in his own home.

A Christian Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 11:00 am at Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, with final viewing one hour prior to Mass.

Pallbearers are Giuseppe and Pasquale Pingitore, Ryan Caligiuri, Adam Stoesz, Ryan Trapp, and Walter Wesolowski. Honorary Pallbearers are Mike Greenhalgh, Chris Provost and Brian Mckellar.