1935 – 2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Camillo Brienza, born on April 24th, 1935. He bid us farewell on Saturday, May 25th, 2024.
He will be missed by his loving wife of 64 years, Delfina, along with his 3 children, son-in-law, 5 grandchildren, and recent great-grand-daughter, his sister, sister-in-law and the many nieces, nephews and friends who contributed to making his time with us a happy one.
Camillo was born in the town of Fassolto, Abruzzi in what was then fascist Italy. Many of his earliest childhood memories consisted of hiding in dirt cellars and caves with his siblings and watching his mother leave with a rifle over her shoulder and not knowing if or when she would return.
He met his future wife Delfina in post-war Italy and married on May 22nd, 1960. On May 9th, 1963 he arrived in Canada with his wife and 2 small children hoping to make a better life for his family. His family was complete with the arrival of his second daughter a few years later.
He was a proud 60-year member of LiUNA, working in blacktop. Despite being only 5’2 tall (but almost as wide) he was affectionately known as the bulldozer by his brothers and sisters of Local 1611 and despite being discriminated against, he believed that each person is worthy of respect and dignity because they are a person. If you needed help, even if he wasn’t particularly fond of you and he was able to provide the help you needed, he was the first in line.
When he became a Canadian citizen, he never failed to go out and vote, even if the outcome was not what he wanted. He believed countries were formed not by kings, dictators, or armies, but by one small thought or action from someone that was never written about in any history book, that inspired others to do something good for the benefit of others.
When he finally retired, you could find him doing 1 of 4 things, he was at one of the neighbours helping with something, working on his amazing garden, or making his award-winning wine. When he finally felt like relaxing, you could find him in front of the T.V. watching any kind of sporting event, tennis, curling, soccer, or volleyball, but his passion was hockey. Any kind of hockey. If there was ice and a puck, he was watching. He just loved the game no matter who was playing, women’s, juniors, worlds, and of course NHL and his beloved Canucks. If the Canucks weren’t in the running for the Stanley Cup, he cheered for a player or players that he thought were deserving of the Stanley Cup and not the team itself. He believed everyone had the right to be happy no matter what logo was on their shirt.
Prayers and viewing will be held on June 6th, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Corpus Christi Parish, 6350 Nanaimo Street, Vancouver. The Mass of Christian burial will be on June 7th, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Corpus Christi Parish.