Obituary of Gemma Emma Caputo

May 30, 1928 - Paterno Calabro, Italy

February 14, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Gemma “Emma” Caputo (nee Filosa) passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, surrounded by her beloved family, at the age of 94 years.

Emma was born in Paterno Calabro in the province of Cosenza,  Calabria, Italy on May 30, 1928 to Francesco and Maria. She was the youngest of nine siblings.

Emma married the love of her life Mario Frank Caputo in 1950. In 1951 they were blessed with their son Michele. In 1957, Emma and Michele embarked to Canada landing at Pier 21 in Halifax to join Mario who had left years prior to build a better life in Canada. A year later, after settling in Calgary, the family welcomed daughter Angela in 1958.

Emma was a hardworking and devoted wife, mother, aunt, and friend. Her kind and determined nature also provided for an amazing career as a cook, during which she developed life-long relationships. Emma had an incredible ability to make friends wherever she went. Everyone who knew her loved her.

Emma’s biggest passion was her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was our matriarch who instilled tradition, hard work, love, respect, and kindness into all of us. She also loved cooking, baking traditional bread and cookies, and maintaining a vegetable garden. Everyone would marvel at her abilities and generosity, as nothing made her happier than sharing these gifts with family and friends.

She will be most remembered for her warm smile, caring demeanour, and welcoming home.

Emma is survived by her son Michele (Silvana) Caputo; daughter Angela (Franco) Crescenzi; her grandchildren, Mario (Ava) Caputo, Michael Caputo, Giovanni Paolo (Siana) Crescenzi and Carina Crescenzi; and four great-grandchildren, Carmen, Antonia and Cinzia Caputo and Marco Crescenzi; her sister-in-law Rosina Caputo, as well as numerous relatives living throughout Canada, Italy, United States, Belgium, and Colombia.

Emma was predeceased by her beloved husband Mario, her sister-in-law and best friend Emma Vespa, her parents, all siblings, and extended family.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB) on February 22, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish (1714 – 14th Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222.  www.albertacancer.ca/memorial.

In living memory of Emma Caputo, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.