Tribute

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our loving husband, father and nonno, Pasquale, who passed peacefully with his family by his side after a two-year battle with cancer.

Pat is survived by his wife Filomena, son Angelo (Nadine, only grandsons, Nicolas and Matteo), son Antonello (Danielle), and youngest son Domenic, brother Domenico (Teresa), sister Antonietta Brienza, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Pat was predeceased by his brothers Pietro, Giovanni, Giacinto, and Vincenzo, brother-in-law Vittorio Brienza, sister-in-law Carolina Porchetta, nephews Angelo Porchetta and Romano Brienza, and his mother Teresa and father Angelo.

Pasquale was born in Salcito in the province of Campobasso, Italy. He grew up on a farm between Salcito and Pietracupa. When he was 12, he followed his older brother Giacinto to Rome to deliver for a grocery store. Pasquale was also very mechanically inclined and started working for an auto garage when he was only 14 which brought him to Germany to work in a Volkswagen factory. When he was 18, he returned to Italy as it was mandatory to join the Italian army. In 1961, he was released from the army to immigrate to Canada to follow his brother Giacinto to Vancouver. Pasquale worked in Vancouver laying blacktop before eventually moving to Powell River to work in the mill in 1964. In 1973 he took a holiday back to Italy, where he met the love of his life Filomena. He returned the following year to get married and bring his bride back to Wildwood in Powell River.

Pasquale and Filomena had their first son Angelo in 1975, followed by their second son Antonello in 1978. In 1984 their youngest son Domenic was born and they moved into their new house that Pasquale built in Westview. Pasquale worked in the mill for 38 years, retiring in 2002, the same year his first grandson Nicolas was born. Their second grandson Matteo was born in 2004. In 2007 Pasquale and Filomena took a year-long trip back to Italy. They enjoyed their time visiting with family and friends while spending time in their hometowns.

Pasquale was part of the Italian Community Club in Powell River for 52 years. One of Pasquale’s favourite activities was getting out to the wilderness as an avid hunter. He enjoyed many trips to northern BC with his brother Pietro, son Angelo, nephews Peter and Michael and many other friends and groups that went. He also loved his time hunting on Texada Island, spending time with family. Pasquale enjoyed being around all of his family and friends telling many stories of years past. Some of his favourite pastimes were tending to his large garden, making homemade wine and making prosciutto. He loved to watch his grandsons play hockey, and loved to pass down family traditions to them and teach them all his wisdom about life. In his later years, Pasquale enjoyed walking their dog, Bandit, dropping off the local Peak newspaper on their route together.

The family would like to thank the fourth-floor nurses, Dr. Schweitzer, Dr. Takhar, Dr. Burns and the oncology department at the Powell River General Hospital and Dr. Lim from the BC Cancer Clinic.