It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our father and Nonno, Emilio Caputo on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at home surrounded by family after a short but valiant battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Emilio was born on October 31, 1926 in Aiello, Calabro, Italy to Annunziato and Giuseppina Caputo. He was the fourth eldest of nine children. From a young age, Emilio worked on the family farm with his father, and dog, Fido. Up until his passing, Emilio never sat idle. He had a methodical slow and steady pace when working that would outlast anyone. Emilio was a workhorse who completed everything with great care; always paying attention to the details. It was through the family farm and working with the land that Emilio developed a love for animals and a unique bond and relationship with nature.
In 1946, Emilio was conscripted by the Italian military services to serve his compulsory one-year term. His incredible work ethic and dedication led Emilio to be one of three men who was promoted and moved up rank in their Army Company of 80 men. While Emilio was serving, he often thought of Maria, a caring young woman, whom he crossed paths with daily as they both walked to their family farms. Upon his return from the military and after a short courtship, Emilio and Maria were married in Grimaldi, Italy on April 8, 1950. Their love would continue for the next 73 years.
Emilio’s life would change shortly, where in 1951, after much contemplation, he accepted a contract from a recruitment team, J.V. Welch Company, in Canada, to work for the Canadian National Railway. Emilio recognized this as an opportunity to better the lives of his young family. On April 4, 1951, aboard the S.S. Italia, Emilio left for Canada where he disembarked at Pier 21 in Halifax on April 17, 1951 and later arrived in Port Arthur, Ontario. He would be the first of all his relatives to come to Canada. Emilio would live for the next four years on his own, without any family. What kept Emilio grounded, positive, and hopeful was his devotion to God and his faith. Being able to rely on God kept him focused and enabled him to maintain his strength, even when he felt lonely and homesick.
Emilio was a monumental figure who sponsored and helped many immigrate to Canada. Emilio was often described as a selfless man with an enormous heart. He would do anything to help anyone, no matter the personal sacrifice it involved. Whether it was a relative or a friend, Emilio would always spread his kindness and generosity to others.
Emilio became a naturalized Canadian citizen on April 17, 1958. Although Emilio proudly identified as a Canadian, he never forgot his Italian heritage, by always keeping it close to his heart and by passing down traditions to his children and grandchildren. In April of 1961, after being apart for 10 years, both Emilio and Maria agreed to move to Canada as a family. Emilio would work at Geco Mines, Noranda Division in Manitouwadge ON and later find his home at Northern Wood Preservers in Thunder Bay until his retirement in 1991.
Emilio was the most fulfilled when he was with his grandchildren. He would often express that the happiest period of his life was when both he and his wife, Maria, moved in with their daughter. Living together for the past 24 years brought him many joyful moments and created a profound connection with his daughter, Sylvana, son-in-law, Mickey, and granddaughters, Georgette and Maria. Emilio cherished the time he had to help raise his two granddaughters. He voiced how the girls were his everything and loved them as his own children.
Emilio’s inseparable bond with his wife, Maria, was greatly tested in the last few years of his life. While Maria battled Alzheimer’s disease, Emilio never left her side. Emilio was her rock, always making sure to calm her fears as her disease progressed. His sleepless nights tending to Maria and his constant worrying contributed to his own development of Alzheimer’s disease. Emilio and Maria’s love and devotion to one another truly stood the test of time. Emilio passed away only seven short weeks after Maria. We feel comforted knowing Emilio and Maria are reunited together in heaven.
Emilio’s wish to pass at home was honoured by his daughter, Sylvana, who provided Emilio with loving and devoted care over the past few years.
Emilio will be missed by his sons Annunziato (Lucia) Caputo, Anthony (Dinah) Caputo and his daughter Sylvana (Micheal) Lemieux; his grandchildren Michael (Francesca) Caputo, John-Paul (Michele) Caputo, Joseph (Taylor) Caputo, Georgette Lemieux, and Maria Lemieux. He is also survived by his sisters Concetta Cuglietta, Lina Cuglietta; his brothers Settimio (Lilianna) Caputo, Eugenio (Antonietta) Caputo and many other relatives both in Canada and Italy.
Emilio is predeceased by his beloved wife Maria, his parents Annunziato and Giuseppina Caputo; his sisters Maria (Francesco) Russo, Ermelinda (Francesco) Vecchio; brothers Frederico (Gilda) Caputo, and little brother Geniale; brother-in-law’s Emilio Cuglietta and Settimio Cuglietta. Emilio is also predeceased by his mother and father-in-law Antonio and Concetta Berardi.
Special thank you to Emilio’s family physician, Dr. Jim Scali, for his dedicated care throughout Emilio’s life and illness. The family would also like to thank nurses Klaudia Stepkowski and Georgette Siciliano (ParaMed), palliative nurse practitioner Megan Ross, advanced care paramedic Don Lemieux (Superior North EMS), and Myzylyn Lee and the entire team at Safeway Pharmacy on Dawson Rd.
Funeral services for the late Emilio Caputo will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 10:30 am to St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini at 11:00 am. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held on Monday, October 23 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Harbourview Funeral Centre with Vigil Prayers offered at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay or to the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society.
“A golden heart stopped beating,
hardworking hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best”
