FAMULARO, DR. GIUSEPPE "JOE" 1927 - 2024 Passed away peacefully on June 18, 2024, at age 97. Lovingly known as "Pippo" to his many friends and relatives in Italy, Canada, the US, Australia, Argentina, and Chile; and to his beloved wife (Dr.) Christena (Chruszez). Born in Milazzo, Sicily, on March 25, 1927, he was raised on the small Aeolian island of Stromboli, a peaceful refuge amidst the evils of the Mussolini dictatorship and the horrors of World War II. The last of nine children (their father dying young), Pippo was raised by a loving mother and elder sisters, and enjoyed the camaraderie of many friends; particularly his lifelong best friend (and elder nephew) the late Dr. Onofrio Cincotta of Bronxville, NY. All Famularo siblings fortunately survived the war, and most would soon immigrate to far-flung corners of the world. After a sojourn in South America, Giuseppe returned to Italy and chose the medical profession, successfully completing his studies in Naples and Rome. He soon immigrated to New York City, where he studied for US medical exams and completed a challenging hospital residency, all while learning English as his 4th language. It was in New York that he met his beloved wife of 59 years, Christena. Before long, Joe insisted that they both return to her native Canada so that Christena could be closer to her own family. This despite the fact that he would need to serve yet another residency, and write medical exams a third time, once again in his fourth language. (Later in life, he enjoyed claiming a larger English vocabulary than many of his Canadian-colleagues and friends.) After a residency at East General Hospital in Toronto (and after delivering, by his count, over 2,000 babies), he established a longstanding family practise near Danforth and Coxwell. It was around this time that he and Christena happily welcomed a son and a daughter into the world. Joe retreated in the early 1990s to a peaceful retirement at his home of nearly 55 years in West Toronto, where he would indulge in the soccer games, opera broadcasts, and Italian game-shows he was so fond of, and where he would befriend many neighbours on his daily walks. A great lover of animals, his particular favourites were his dogs, Dick and Max, and the family cats, Pasquale and Mischa. Joe is survived by his loving wife, Christena; his children, Anthony and Lisa (Roger); and his adored grandchildren, Miles and Ava. He was preceded in death by his parents, his eight siblings, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. At his request, a small private memorial service was held on June 24, 2024. Cremation and interment to follow at Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto. The family wishes to thank the palliative-care physicians and personal-support workers who were of great help to Joe and family over the past several months, as well as the exceptionally kind and considerate staff and volunteers at the Dorothy Ley Hospice, where he spent his final days, and where he said his peaceful goodbyes to his loving family. If desired, donations in Giuseppe's name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, or to the Dorothy Ley Hospice.