It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of beloved
nonno Giuseppe Lacivita, who died peacefully at home and surrounded by
his family on July 15th, 2021.
Born in Palazzo San Gervasio, Italy on August 3rd, 1929, Joe was the
eldest son of 11 siblings and the first to immigrate to Canada in 1954.
A hopeless romantic, Joe married the love of his life, Erminia, within
weeks of his arrival. The couple welcomed their first child, Francesca,
in 1955, and their second, Tony, in 1965. Joe and Erminia were married
and madly in love for 67 years.
Joe was a savvy and hardworking businessman, and in 1954, he began
working at Precision Automotive in Toronto. Working for and with the
owner, Sam Shapiro, Joe grew the company from three staff to over 300 by
the time he left in 1968. During this same period, Joe and Erminia
opened a grocery store called The Corner Store, on Wallace and Campbell
Ave. By late 1960, Erminia was running the store while taking care of
the two children, while Joe balanced his time working at Precision
Automotive by day, and managing the store at night. After closing the
store in 1966, the family moved to Seacliffe Blvd in North York, and
subsequently lived there for two more years before purchasing National
Bakery in Guelph.
In 1968, the family moved to Applewood Crescent. Joe and his brother
Danny would run and grow National Bakery for three years, ultimately
quintupling its value. In 1971, Joe sold the bakery. He would then work
for Kearney National, an electrical supply company, for the next 11
years. Following the closure of Kearney, Joe took on a custodial role
with Wellington Country School Board, a position he would eventually
retire from in 1991.
In his leisure time, Joe enjoyed wine-making, tending to his flowers,
and growing fresh vegetables.
Joe was known to all as a devoted husband and father, who never missed a
meal with his family. In his life, Joe exemplified the values of hard
work, loyalty, and sacrifice; and his reputation for generosity and
kindness will forever stand testament to his character.
He is survived by his wife Erminia, his children Francesca (Richard),
and Tony (Valerie), his grandson Ryan (Meryana), his siblings Lina
(Joe), Mike (Gemma), Paul (Nancy), Dino (Annette), his brother-in-law
Nick and sister-in-law Teresa. He was a treasured and adored Zio to
Anita (Franco) and loved by many nieces and nephews. In passing, Joe
joins his late siblings in Heaven - Cecilia (Giuseppe), Danny (Lina),
Sammy (Elena), Angelo (Maria), Lou (Angela), Silvana (Alex), his mother
Francesca and father Antonio, mother-in-law Elvira and father-in-law
Michele.
The family extends our appreciation to Dr. Sid Brodovsky for the
outstanding care given to Joe. Also many thanks to Jerusalum, Faith and
Elsa for their support.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, July 20th, 4:00pm - 9:00pm at
Gilbert MacIntyre & Son, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph,
Ontario, N1G 4X9.
Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 21st at
11:00am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 409 Paisley Rd, Guelph.
Capacity is limited. Due to COVID restrictions, guests must RSVP their
attendance through the funeral home website for both the visitation and
Funeral Mass. Masks are mandatory and social distancing will be in
place. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation
would be appreciated by the family.