Obituary for Giuseppe "Joe" Plastina
Giuseppe Plastina
March 8, 1932 - January 17, 2023
With great sadness we announce the passing of Giuseppe,( Joe), Plastina, husband, father and grandfather, on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 after a brief struggle with cancer.
Joe or “Happy Joe” was born in Malito, Italy a small town in the province of Cosenza. He was the 4th of five children and was the last of the Plastina siblings to pass. Joe emigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in the early 1950’s and began working as a cook for the Canadian railway. It was in 1957 that he married our mother, Maria Bruno and they have been together ever since. They settled and established a home in Winnipeg where they lived for 56 years. They left their home in Winnipeg in 2015 to come to Calgary. This move re-united the family, which was of course the most important thing for Joe. He worked for many years in the maintenance department of a graphic arts company before he retired. Joe was well loved by all the staff and brought great joy and comfort to the business by creating a beautiful forest like atrium, growing plants that were at least 12 feet high. He spent time making the room feel like a place of nature and possessed an innate ability to grow beautiful things. Joe was someone who would always help out and fix things as needed and was greatly appreciated by other staff.
Joe’s greatest loves were life, nature, family and God.
Joe embraced life to the fullest. He always strived to be happy and to engage in those things that were meaningful and wholesome. He loved people and people were drawn to his friendliness, kindness and accepting ways. Whether it was a person, animal or plant, he always upheld the value of life. He enjoyed animals, particularly dogs and would share stories about all the dogs he met while walking in the neighbourhood. He started every day with a walk out into his garden, wishing the plants well, hoping the sun would shine on them that day. Plants and gardening were always a source of huge comfort and joy his whole life.
A country boy at heart, Joe loved to be outdoors as much as he could. Joe grew up working on the farm and gaining much knowledge of what the earth had to offer us. Joe was a regular walker and soon enough all his new neighbours knew who he was. In Winnipeg, he was accompanied by good friends and in Calgary by family. His was a life rich in relationships. Each day was a celebration of life.
Joe’s greatest joy was his family, particularly his two grandchildren, Ricky and Miranda. Joe traveled and visited his family in Calgary for many years before he and Maria moved. So many wonderful times during those visits and so many more once he and Maria relocated. Joe loved to take them to enjoy the outdoors. He spent many great times in nature with both of his grandchildren and gardening with them.
Joe will be remembered by his family as a man who lived out his faith! A devout Catholic his whole life, giving time to the church as a volunteer regularly for masses as well other church activities as needed. Joe always spoke of peace and patience being so important in life. Even the nurses and medical staff spoke of how peaceful he was in his last few days of life. Happy
Joe was a selfless, mindful, giving person, sharing his wisdom through his illness and right up to his last days.
He is survived by his loving wife, Maria; son, Ross Plastina (Myra); daughter, Connie (Randy); grandchildren, Ricky and Miranda, as well as many extended family he loved.
The family would like to extend their immense gratitude to the care staff of Southwood Hospice and AHS Palliative Care Program.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 24 St SW, Calgary, Alberta T2W 2Z2) at 11:00 am. Graveside Service is to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery (3157 Erlton St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2V7).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are gratefully accepted by Holy Spirit Parish.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Joe please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
March 8, 1932 - January 17, 2023
With great sadness we announce the passing of Giuseppe,( Joe), Plastina, husband, father and grandfather, on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 after a brief struggle with cancer.
Joe or “Happy Joe” was born in Malito, Italy a small town in the province of Cosenza. He was the 4th of five children and was the last of the Plastina siblings to pass. Joe emigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in the early 1950’s and began working as a cook for the Canadian railway. It was in 1957 that he married our mother, Maria Bruno and they have been together ever since. They settled and established a home in Winnipeg where they lived for 56 years. They left their home in Winnipeg in 2015 to come to Calgary. This move re-united the family, which was of course the most important thing for Joe. He worked for many years in the maintenance department of a graphic arts company before he retired. Joe was well loved by all the staff and brought great joy and comfort to the business by creating a beautiful forest like atrium, growing plants that were at least 12 feet high. He spent time making the room feel like a place of nature and possessed an innate ability to grow beautiful things. Joe was someone who would always help out and fix things as needed and was greatly appreciated by other staff.
Joe’s greatest loves were life, nature, family and God.
Joe embraced life to the fullest. He always strived to be happy and to engage in those things that were meaningful and wholesome. He loved people and people were drawn to his friendliness, kindness and accepting ways. Whether it was a person, animal or plant, he always upheld the value of life. He enjoyed animals, particularly dogs and would share stories about all the dogs he met while walking in the neighbourhood. He started every day with a walk out into his garden, wishing the plants well, hoping the sun would shine on them that day. Plants and gardening were always a source of huge comfort and joy his whole life.
A country boy at heart, Joe loved to be outdoors as much as he could. Joe grew up working on the farm and gaining much knowledge of what the earth had to offer us. Joe was a regular walker and soon enough all his new neighbours knew who he was. In Winnipeg, he was accompanied by good friends and in Calgary by family. His was a life rich in relationships. Each day was a celebration of life.
Joe’s greatest joy was his family, particularly his two grandchildren, Ricky and Miranda. Joe traveled and visited his family in Calgary for many years before he and Maria moved. So many wonderful times during those visits and so many more once he and Maria relocated. Joe loved to take them to enjoy the outdoors. He spent many great times in nature with both of his grandchildren and gardening with them.
Joe will be remembered by his family as a man who lived out his faith! A devout Catholic his whole life, giving time to the church as a volunteer regularly for masses as well other church activities as needed. Joe always spoke of peace and patience being so important in life. Even the nurses and medical staff spoke of how peaceful he was in his last few days of life. Happy
Joe was a selfless, mindful, giving person, sharing his wisdom through his illness and right up to his last days.
He is survived by his loving wife, Maria; son, Ross Plastina (Myra); daughter, Connie (Randy); grandchildren, Ricky and Miranda, as well as many extended family he loved.
The family would like to extend their immense gratitude to the care staff of Southwood Hospice and AHS Palliative Care Program.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 24 St SW, Calgary, Alberta T2W 2Z2) at 11:00 am. Graveside Service is to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery (3157 Erlton St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2V7).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are gratefully accepted by Holy Spirit Parish.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Joe please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.