Giovanni Paglia, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday October 2nd 2021 after a lengthy illness.

Giovanni Paglia was born in December 1935 in Roio Poggio, Italy to Sabatino and Elena Paglia (nee Pietrangeli). He often spoke of his hard but happy childhood tending sheep as well as his mischievous adventures in his small mountaintop village.

In the 1950’s, at 17 years of age, he emigrated to Canada with his father to start a new life while supporting his family back home. He worked in construction enthusiastically learning a number of skills. He truly loved working with his hands. In his spare time, he enjoyed carpentry work and he became quite skilled in many trades.

In 1964 he met and married the love of his life Anna Paglia (nee Pacitti) in Roio Poggio, Italy. Soon after they returned to Canada where they built a good life together for over 57 years. He valued family above all else and worked selflessly to support them. After many decades of hard work, they spent their retirement travelling to Italy and sunny destinations.

Giovanni Paglia is survived by his wife, Anna Paglia; three children, Elena, Santina and Alfredo; two sisters, Marisa Pacitti, Olimpia Fatigati; and preceded in death by his eldest sister, Bernadina Tunno.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Canadian Liver Foundation or Diabetes Canada.