Pasquale Longo

Pasquale Longo was born to Michele and Chiara Longo on September 4th,  1937 in Cleto Italy. Pasquale was the second of four children.

In 1957, Pasquale made his journey to Canada to start a better life. He arrived by ship after eight days to the Halifax port in Canada. From there he took a 4-day train ride to Golden. Once he arrived, he started working for the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1963, he sponsored his brother Frank to come join him in Canada and work for CP Rail. In 1968, Pasquale left CP and started working at the local Sawmill, where he continued to work until his retirement in 2002.

Pasquale and Maria were married in 1963. They had 3 children, Michele, Chiara and Lisa.

Pasquale’s pride and joy were his grandkids. The first grandchild Karmela was born in 1992 and for the next 4 consecutive years the next 3 grandchildren were born Amy, Tiana and Joey. Raylen was then born in 1998. And lastly Grandpa’s “little girl” Aria later joined our family in 2016.

In 1968 he built his first home on 10th Ave. In 1989, he started building the house they still call home. Pasquale made sure everything was nothing but the best. If a wall was out at all the wall was ripped down and restarted, it didn't matter if it was once, twice or 10 times the wall was redone till it was perfect. In the words of my grandfather “If you’re going to do something you have to do it the proper way”

Pasquale made many trips back home to Italy to see his family who still lived there. They had gone back as a family when Chiara and Mike were kids. As well as later when Lisa was a child.

Pasquale had many hobbies. Most of his hobbies started prior to retirement but since retirement it became his daily routine. He always prided himself in his many hobbies. He kept himself busy with the garden, yard work and his wood shop as well as driving his grandkids to and from school and various other places. He enjoyed making rocking chairs, coffee tables and many other projects. Every year he had a very nice display of Christmas lights for the town to enjoy. He won the best Christmas lights display two years in a row.

Pasquale taught his family and friends the ways of making vino and sausage. Trips to Calgary with Glen and Chiara were done annually to purchase the grapes. While they were there, he would always barter on the price of grapes and always made sure he got at least one box for free. No trip to Calgary was ever complete without a trip to all the Italian stores, Singapore Sam’s, Totem Lumber, Denny’s, and KFC.

When it came to making wine and sausage, this was always planned in advance to make sure there was always plenty of help. Pasquale was always there to give direction. After we all had our tasks, he would come and go as he pleased while we continued to make the sausage without him. He would always come and check in on us to make sure we were doing it right.

Pasquale had a passion for singing. He was known to sing everywhere whether it was at work, out in the yard, in the house and even in Durand. He may have only repeated two different songs, but it was always something we enjoyed hearing. But when it came to one of us singing, he would always say “If you want to sing you go outside”

Pasquale loved telling jokes. We could never leave the dinner table without him sharing at least one or two jokes. He would always laugh the hardest which in turn made us laugh even more.

There was always something recorded on the VCR for us all to watch together. Either a game show or an episode of an Italian show. But that of course wasn’t watched till after the News. He enjoyed watching the news, jeopardy, wheel of fortune, the price is right, and deal or no deal. If there was an Italian show broadcast, it was always recorded.

Pasquale is predeceased by his Parents and older sister Anna. He is survived by his wife Maria of 58 years. Brother Frank, Sister Mafalda and her children, Son Michele, Daughter Lisa, Son- in-laws Glen and Francis, Grandchildren, Karmela (Matt), Amy (Thomas), Tiana, Joey, Raylen and Aria.

In May of this year, his daughter Chiara passed away. They are now resting peacefully together watching over our family. Pasquale and Chiara were very similar in many ways. They will be greatly missed by all.

This is goodbye for now, but “We Keep in Touch”

Maria, Lisa (Francis), Glen, Karmela (Matt), Tiana Raylen and Aria