Name: Ocean View Funeral Home & Burial Park
Address: Burnaby, BC

To my Compare Camillo,
My name is Lucio Sarra. As some of you may know, our dear Camillo was my godfather. I came into this world as the oldest of 3 boys born to Fioravante and Lidia Sarra in Manitouwadge, Ontario. As in many Italian families I was baptized into the Catholic Church. I was privileged to have Camillo and his dear Wife Ida as my god parents in 1961.
Our families migrated together from Manitouwadge, Ontario to Merritt, BC, and then finally Burnaby. Our family's friendship is the longest standing relationship I have known in my life. All the kids grew up together, fishing, hunting, and playing sports together. We considered the Zappacostas as part of our family, in every sense of the word. Our mothers were considered sisters and our fathers were considered “the godfathers.”
My earliest memory of Compare Camillo brings us to the days in Merritt. Our fathers were miners at Craigmont Mines and worked very hard to support their families.
In Merritt hunting and fishing was a part of life as was playing hockey at the arena and helping around the house. Our families were always together throughout our upbringing.  As life went on, our family decided to move to Burnaby, BC. Comara Ida was left without her dear Sister Lidia, and so shortly after the Zappacostas moved to Burnaby as well. Everyone, that is except for Compare Camillo. Everyone, all the kids, both families were in Burnaby, but Camillo who had built a home and was still reluctant to leave, remained in Merritt. He loved Merritt. He had a sincere appreciation for nature in the Nicola Valley. He loved the lifestyle and his friends there and he especially loved his gardening.  So it remained that Camillo would travel from Merritt to Burnaby to visit his family on occasion until he sold his house and moved permanently to Burnaby.   Once here, he and my dad worked together at Kokums Cancar for a period of time.  
Another memory to share about my compare is that he was a handyman.  He was always tinkering in his garage and would find a way to repair just about anything.  My compare did not find any task too much to take on …. Such as rebuilding the engine to his pickup truck, modifying his lawnmower so he could cut his hedges, and he loved chopping and accumulating firewood for his wood-burning stove.
Compare Camillo was like a second father to me.  We worked well together and always celebrated with a glass of his special homemade wine.  
During our upbringing we spent all Christmases, New Years, Easters, and several  other occasions together. So many memories made, so many laughs, so much love shared. Those times shaped us into the people we are today. I can remember Dad and compare arguing over who made the best wine every year. Compare would raise his glass and say “Number 1”. No one pushed Dad's buttons like Compare. He was the only one who could get away with it and make him laugh at the same time. 
His passing left a void in all of us. But we can fill that void with the memories of his life, and the happiness that he brought. We can fill it with the memories of how he touched us, and how he shaped our lives with his presence. 
There is a saying from the old country. "That which is remembered......lives." So let him  enjoy his new life in heaven with all those who have passed on before. And remember him in your heart and how he touched you. He is now enjoying his new life in heaven. So let us now enjoy ours here and the memories we have of him, until we are once again re-united. 
Compare … You will truly be missed ….. God bless you and rest in peace.....
Lucio Sarra, Camillo's Godson.....

I remember your dad as being a really nice guy.  Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. Sandra Vantol-Smithman

I recall with my dad's passing that it was the finality of the event that hit home. Your Dad, Camillo's absence will nonetheless leave a large hole in your family's lives.  Now that he is gone, life as you know it, will be different. Yes, we move on and adapt as we are becoming the “old people” to our families but the family structure as you know it, has changed irrevocably.  Someone that was close to us is gone and we can't relive any of our time together except in our memories. 

After I heard that he passed away, I went downstairs to start a fire (as it was clear and cold here that night), and sat watching it get started.   I was remembering your dad and his smiling face when I saw him underground at Craigmont Mines.  He was always up to some form of prank or devilment and was full of life and greeted me with a smile.  I also have very fond memories of being at the family home on Sperling Avenue, being made to feel welcome as a part of your family, and often offered some homemade red wine.  The wine was good but it is the glass that the wine was served in that I remember.   In those days I always had wine in a true wine glass, the bottle opened in a special way, the cork sniffed, the wine left to breath, and the wine sampled.  But at your parents' I was given wine in a kitchen glass.  Yes, the wine was good but the company and bonhomie was much better!  Since then, I have always thought that if I travel to Italy, that I would drink the wine – surrounded by friends, at a kitchen table, and in a kitchen glass!!!

So, with those memories swirling in my head and the fire crackling, I took a kitchen glass and poured myself a glass (no, not of your dad's homemade wine but of  a different spirit), thought fondly of your dad and toasted his life.  And, it is at this time of reminiscence that I wish I had taken more time to get to know your dad better.  These lost chances will no doubt be one of my regrets as I get older.

With that, Carlen, I am going to shed a tear, finish my “wine”, and tend to the fire.....

Camillo had a big heart and a great sense of humour, he will be missed. Our condolences go out to all his family and friends. We were fortunate to of shared time with him and will hold onto the fond memories.

I was so upset when I found out Camillo had passed. He lived a good, long life. He will be missed dearly. Xox

I was so sorry to hear of Camillo's passing, 
I send my love and prayers to all of you at this sad time
May your memories keep you in comfort and peace

Our hearts are with you, Danine, Emma, Michael and your entire family

All our love,
Spencer, Cale and Colton Tapley

To the Zappacosta Family.
I'm so sorry to hear this news. He was just a great Landlord and treated myself and my daughter like his own. Just a nice person inside and out. Very caring man. Please give Momma a huge hug from the both of us., We moved back to Ontario. He will be missed missed. Debbie and Rebecca

lui

Just heard am very sorry for your loss.I remember your Dad and how sweet he was. He was always so kind and remember him well. He is now in a much better Place. God Bless...

Luie,
Heartfelt condolences to you, Danine, Emma and Michael.

Sono veramente dispiaciuto, ci tenevo molto rivederlo, mi dispiace molto, lui era veramente una brava persona, sempre sorridente, aveva sempre un sorriso per tutti ed era sempre disponibile, sono contento di averlo conosciuto, mi sarebbe piaciuto starci di più, ma purtroppo siamo stati molto lontani. Vi abbraccio tutti e vi sono vicino nel vostro grande dolore, il papà è sempre una persona che non muore mai dentro di noi. Sono veramente triste , ma so che il suo spirito rimarrà sempre vivo in noi. Un'altra persona cara che ci lascia che non potrà mai essere sostituita. Ciao Luigi a te e tutta la famiglia, un abbraccio forte a Ida, stategli vicino più che potete. Marco Gentile (One of Camillo's God Sons living in Italy)

I met your dad when he became my dad's roommate at St. Michael's. Pops has full blown Alzheimer's and is not able to speak, move or care for himself. Your dad was amazingly independant and would roll back into the room on a Saturday morning and I'd help him get settled back in bed. He was a little hard for me to understand, but he spoke about your family and I knew he loved you very much. When I first met Camillo, he always wanted to know if dad was moving, and I always told him "not yet!". Your dad seemed to need a little extra help, so I'd take off his shoes and help him into bed. He always liked the blankets just so...often saying "too much" and I figured they might be a bit heavy for his small frame. A couple of months ago, the nurse had brought him in after a shower and your dad was mad and obviously cold. She got him back in bed and went to get something. Camillo was shivering and so I sat on the bed with him and rubbed his back. His frustration disapated and he warmed up and went to sleep. Your dad unknowly filled a gap for me.....it was nice to chat with him and be able to care for him in such small ways. Thank you. Janet Wood, daughter of Dave Wood

To Camillo's family
We were so sorry to hear of his passing
May you gather strength from your memories and remember the times of joy and laughter with your father and nonno
Our deepest sympathies

To the family,
We remember your dad from years ago in Merritt.........please accept our thoughts and prayers in your loss.
The Street family from Merritt, BC

Ieri papà mi ha dato la brutta notizia, mi è dispiaciuto davvero tanto!!!Io lo zio me lo ricordo benissimo, era davvero una brava persona e assomigliava tanto alla mia nonna...specialmente le orecchie!!!
Nonna Maria è molto addolorata, anche se erano molto lontani nominava spesso zio Camillo, ricordando i bei tempi passati insieme!!!
Noi facciamo dire una Messa di suffragio nella Chiesa di San Camillo lunedì 22 aprile 2013 alle ore 07:00pm per ricordare tutti insieme zio Camillo!!!
Ti raccomando di dare un forte abbraccio a zia Ida da tutti noi, salutaci Carlo ed Angelo e tutte le vostre famiglie!!!

Vi abbracciamo tutti!!!

Carla, Massimo ed il piccolo Giovanni! (Camillo's Great Niece in Italy)

To our beloved Compare. I have known you all my life. Your family and ours have been the longest standing mast of family to me. There are so many memories and so many experiences that I am overwhelmed at the thought of you being gone. May you be at peace, and enjoying your time with my mother and father. You will be missed. You are "Number 1."
Our deepest condolences are with the Zappacosta family. From Lorenzo, Adrianne, Julian, David, and Elizabeth.

To my Compare:
You have been a part of my family since 1961.  Our families shared life together from Manitouwadge to Merritt and finally to Burnaby.  We have fished and hunted together and even fed Skippy together.  We have laughed and enjoyed many good times together and drank only the best wine ... number one!  You taught me how to grow the best figs and even graft a cherry tree with a plum tree.  Your sense of humor around my father was always entertaining ... only you could push his buttons and make it funny.  I am sure right now the two of you are playing a game of briscola and eating lupines.  Thank you for being my "number one" Compare.
 
To the Zappacosta family ... our deepest condolences for your loss.  
Compare Camillo ... you will be greatly missed!  God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Love from Lucio, Maria, Nicholas and Tianna Sarra.

OBITUARY

Camillo Antonio Zappacosta

January 6, 1924 – April 15, 2013

Ocean View Funeral Home & Burial Park

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