Obituary of Joseph Stuart PIAZZA

August 13, 1948 – Racalmuto, Sicily
February 8, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Joseph (Joe) Stuart Piazza of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the age of 71 years.

Joe emigrated from Sicily to Hamilton, ON at the age of five with his parents, Carmelo and Salvatrice. He graduated from McMaster University with a Business degree. Joe worked as an insurance agent for most of his career until he and future bride Debbie bought a print shop. Their shop operated for almost twenty years. Debbie and Joe were married in 1972 in Hamilton, ON. Together they lived in Brooklyn and West Seneca New York, Texas, and Ontario before settling in Calgary to raise their three children in 1984. Joe was an active father, spending weeks on vacation with his family during the Easter and summer breaks. He brought his culture into the home with Italian cooking and opera, and shared it with his family when he could. His daughters remember fondly the stories he would tell with different voices, and his whistling and humming. A believer in community work, Joe was a Jaycee in Hamilton and New York. He was a Rotarian for many years. He was active in the Holy Spirit Parish and served in many committees within the church. Joe was a Fourth-degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. Joe loved bringing smiles to others and ensured his daughters and grandchildren found that value as well. When his children were younger he dressed as Santa and stood on the street, handing out candy canes for Christmas. He converted the front hall of their home into a haunted house for Halloween. He and his daughters volunteered with Habitat for humanity and Feed the Hungry at St. Mary's Cathedral while they were growing up. Joe loved Star Trek, watching old movies and cultural films. He loved to garden, with his hands always in the dirt. He had a quirky sense of humour and loved to laugh.

Besides his loving wife Deborah of forty-eight years, Joe is survived by his daughters, Sally (Chris), Andrea (Kevin) and Rebecca (Chris); as well as his six grandchildren, Connor, Shawn, Emily, Alessia, Carter and Olivia; and his kitten, Orange Pekoe, his constant companion. He was predeceased by his parents, Carmelo and Salvatrice; three brothers and a sister in Sicily.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 – 24th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. As Joe loved flowers, his family asks that participants come dressed in bright colours or florals to make a living garden in celebration of his life. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Joe’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Joseph Piazza, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.