Italo Joseph Carniato

Mr. Italo Joseph Carniato, age 96 years, life time resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 in St. Joseph's Hospital. 

Joseph was born on July 28, 1921 in Port Arthur, Ontario to Pietro and Maria Carniato, who immigrated to Canada from Treviso, Italy. He married Kathleen “Kay” Desjardins on Valentine's Day in 1953 and settled in Port Arthur where they raised their family. He built their family home on Rockwood Avenue and a cottage at Whitefish Lake.
 
Joe was a foreman at the Port Arthur Shipyards and an ironworker. He was enlisted with the PPCLI and a member of the Merchant Marine Corps. He survived the 1943 sinking of the Prindoc in Lake Superior.
 
Joe earned trophies in bodybuilding, weightlifting, and curling and enjoyed participating in a variety of sports. He once swam to the break-wall, performed with an acrobatic trio, and participated in many races. Joe would strap a large canvas tent to his station wagon and take his young family on annual camping trips. He was very involved with Carrick Park where he coached hockey, and was a member of a neighbourhood fitness club for decades. Joe was an early member of the Fix-It Club and contributed to the creation of the 55+ Centre. This is where he pursued his woodworking hobby. Joe was also a founding member of the first local Council of the Knights of Columbus. The entire family loved to work and play at Whitefish. At age 90 Joe flew to Nicaragua to visit his son Ken and experiment with surfing. Joe lead an active life with many adventures. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Survived by his five children Linda (David) Dell of Thunder Bay, James of Barrie, Kenneth of Vancouver/Nicaragua, Gary of Vancouver Island and Michael (Denise) of Sherwood Park, Alberta; grandchildren Jonathan Dell, Ryan (Courtney) and Brittney Carniato (and their mother, Patricia), Samantha (Ryan) Rhodes, Coral Carniato and Iris (Paul) Catton (and their mother, Louise); great grandchildren Evelyn, Joseph, Matthew and Raina Kay; siblings Amadeo “Pecho” (Emma) Carniato and Zelda Psikla; brother in-law Bap Fogolin and cousin Sally Kowalchuk. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. 

Predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Kathleen; great-grandson Miles Van Dusen; parents, Peter and Maria Carniato; siblings, Osmildo “Jimmy”, Zemira (first husband, Joseph Belluz) (Bill) Mersington, Eurfrasia “Frances” (Nello) Buset, Plinio “Planky” (Josephine) and Joanna Fogolin; brother in-law Paul Psikla and Kay's siblings Wilf (Lena) Desjardins, Edward (Terry) Desjardins and Edith (Larry) Jacques.

Funeral services for the late Mr. Italo Joseph Carniato will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 with family and friends gathering in Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church for the Funeral Mass at 10:00AM celebrated by Fr. Victor DeGagne and Fr. Francisco Blazek. Interment to follow in the Carniato family plot in St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday evening from 6:00PM until 8:00PM in the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma with Vigil Prayers offered at 7:00PM. 

Donations made in memory of Joseph to St. Joseph's Care Group would be greatly appreciated.