Rocco Giuseppe Puopolo

Rocco Giuseppe Puopolo

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rocco Giuseppe Puopolo on Wednesday February 14, 2024 in his 93rd year. His heart was broken last week when he lost his beloved wife Saveria Puopolo of 66 wonderful years. Adored father of John (Hiroko), Nick (Nancy) (predeceased Irene) and Rose (Phil) and cherished Nonno of Amanda, Thomas, Natalie and Mari. Predeceased by his siblings Maria (Rocco), Vito Antonio, Raffaele (Teodora) and will be missed by his brother Gerardo (Ivanka). He will be fondly remembered by his cousins and all his friends on St. Clair Avenue. Rocco was born in San Nicola Baronia, Avellino, Italy to parents Nicolina (nee Melino) and Giovanni Puopolo. He worked the family farm along with his brothers, caring for the animals and growing grain. At the age of 20, he left for Trieste, to serve in the Italian Army for two years, learning training exercises and how to dismantle explosive devices. In 1956, his brother Raffaele sponsored him to come to Canada along with his little brother, Gerardo. Being a new Italian immigrant came with its challenges and discriminations, but he persevered and learned new concrete and construction skills. Working 14-hour days, he helped build many of the bridges here in Toronto, including the one at Yonge St and the 401. He was a hard worker and saved enough money to bring his bride-to-be, Saveria Rago to Canada in 1958. Together they worked hard to buy a house on Springmount Avenue and provide a good life for their family. Rocco, or Joe as everyone knew him, was a strong, humble and quiet man who always went out of his way to help a friend or family member. For 12 years, he was a labourer for Joe Schmidt Construction and then became a foreman with his own crew. He transitioned to his new career as a janitor for the Catholic School board for 11 years, where he later retired in 1996. After retirement, Rocco and Saveria loved to travel, visiting Cuba and Dominican Republic many times with CHIN, and through the church trips, visited Italy, Portugal, France as well as the Holy Land. Joe always put his families needs before his own, making sure John, Nick and Rose had a good education to be successful and that they learned the value of a dollar earned and the importance of respect. Nothing made Joe prouder than his four grandchildren, Amanada, Thomas, Natalie and Mari. He spoiled them with love and attention, making their favourite pasta with Nonno’s sugo and Italian bread and ensuring there was always lemone gelato for dessert. Along with his enormous love he made sure to pass on the Italian traditions of making tomato sauce, homemade pasta and salami. Joe was devoted to Saveria throughout the progression of her dementia. Joe turned 92 in October and until recently, he drove almost every day to the nursing home to be with her, to feed her favorite foods, to care for her or to simply be with her. Even as Saveria’s dementia advanced to where she didn’t recognize her children, she always knew when Joe was with her. Now, may they both rest in the peace and continue their magical love story together. . “You will always be with us, because love, true love, lasts forever.” 

Family and friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home 4671 Hwy 7, Woodbridge (just west of Pine Valley Dr.) on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday February 20, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church 100 Bainbridge Ave., Woodbridge. Entombment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the CAMH Foundation for Mental Health or the Alzheimer’s Society.

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