Calogero Firenze

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Calogero “Paolo” Firenze on June 24, 2026, at the age of 88. Surrounded by his family, Paolo went peacefully into God’s embrace at his home in Maple Ridge.

He was predeceased by his wife Maria, sisters Filippa, Francesca and Angelina, brother Alfredo and parents Teresa and Giuseppe. He survived by his daughters Miriam, (Wayne) and Elizabeth (Lawrence) and son Giuseppe (Dianne), grandchildren Vanessa, Natasha, Matthew, Raquel (Connor), Scott, Marissa and Stefanie and great grandson Gabriel, brother Mario (Concetta) and sisters Ida and Emilia, his nieces and nephews and extended family in Canada, Italy, Spain and Belgium.

Born in Enna, Sicily in May 1938 to Giuseppe and Teresa Firenze, Paolo apprenticed under a master carpenter while working in the sulfur mine in Enna. After his military service, he went on to work in Germany as a finishing carpenter, where he met his future wife, Maria. Paolo and Maria married in January 1965, immigrating to Vancouver in February the same year. Miriam was born in November 1965 followed by Elizabeth in February 1967 and Giuseppe in February 1970.

Working as a Carpenter with his expertise in finishing carpentry, Paolo worked with many construction companies in Greater Vancouver as a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and as an independent contractor, working on projects from single family homes to townhouse complexes to commercial buildings and custom homes as a carpenter, Foreman and as a General Contractor.

After retiring, Paolo continued to help family and friends with projects (there always seemed to be one on the go). An avid gardener, visitors would leave with in-season produce such as zucchini, cucumbers, figs and tomatoes and, of course, a bottle of homemade wine.

Family was Paolo’s focus, especially in retirement. He viewed his family as greatest accomplishment. From Paolo, his children learned the value of hard work and the importance of doing things right and taking pride in their accomplishments. Paolo became a grandfather in 1995 and a great-grandfather in 2024.

Paolo was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and moved into Long-Term Care at Maple Ridge Seniors Village in 2020. He quickly became a favourite amongst the staff. He loved to tease and joke around with staff members. In his last days, he was visited by many staff members who had cared for him.

We are grateful to the Long-Term Care and Residential Care Team Members at Maple Ridge Seniors Village for their wonderful care of Paolo over the past 6 years.

Funeral Mass will take place at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 1150 Mt. Seymour Parkway, North Vancouver, BC, V7G 1R6 on Tuesday, July 7th 2026 at Noon. Visitation at 11:30 am. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Parkinson Society of British Columbia or the charity of your choice in Paolo’s memory.

The funeral will be live streamed on July 7th. Click below for the link.

https://www.legacystreaming.com/kearney/

A recording of the service will be available after July 8th from the same link. Scroll down the page to locate the link for Paolo’s service.