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Joseph Comuzzi Obituary
The Honourable Joseph Robert Comuzzi, at age 88 years, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2021, with his children by his side. Joe was born on April 5,1933 in what was formally Fort William Ontario and proudly called Thunder Bay his home for a lifetime.
Joe had a rewarding and diversified career as an entrepreneur, lawyer and politician. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Assumption University and achieved his LLB degree from the University of Windsor at age 45. High points of his community activities included being a member of the St. Joseph's Hospital Board of Directors, the Catholic School Board and co-leading the fundraising campaign to build the Bethammi residence. His passion was baseball and he coached the Port Arthur Nationals little league baseball team for a number of years.
Joe served as a Member of Parliament from 1988 to 2008 representing the constituents of Thunder Bay-Superior North and Canada. During his tenure he was the Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development in Northern Ontario (FedNor). He served in many portfolios over his twenty years in political life. Highlights include: Co-Vice-Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Canada-US Relations; Chair: Canadian Section, United States International Joint Commission; and Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. In whatever capacity he held, he always remained a fearless advocate for the people of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
Joe was predeceased by his loving wife Janet Comuzzi (2014); his parents; two brothers and sister. He is survived and will be deeply cherished forever by his four children: Deborah Comuzzi (Lorne Firman); James Comuzzi (Jennifer Fairbairn); Mary-Catherine Comuzzi; and Elizabeth Comuzzi (Blaine Bell). He will always be the very best and protective Papa to his ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and a devoted uncle to his nephew "Georgie" Comuzzi. Dad is also survived by his sister Catherine Comuzzi and his nieces and nephews.
A private family Funeral Mass and interment have taken place. The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre - Floor 2B, Dr. Jacinta Oyella and Dr. Kevin Miller. Your gentle support helped our father and family through this difficult past week. To Dr. Jim Scali and his assistant Sally, you have been our lifeline for both of our parents health care journeys and words cannot express our deepest gratitude for your constant guidance and practical wisdom. To the Multi-Disciplinary Renal Care Team, we so appreciate your many years of specialized care for both of our parents. To the Nurse Next Door Team, sincere thanks for your expertise and kindness while caring for Dad at home.
Should you wish to make a charitable donation to honour our father, a gift to support the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) Palliative Care Team, through the TBRHS Foundation, would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Comuzzi
Sponsored by Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel.
14 Entries
Taras Kozyra
January 20, 2022
Joe was a warm, generous person to many and an excellent public servant to his constituents and community. Pat and I were fortunate to be his friends.
Sam & Sharon DiMeo
January 18, 2022
Your dad was a great man who set goals and worked hard to achieve them. He devoted his life not just to his own family but also to the many families of Thunder Bay. I still cherish those days when your mom and dad would have the PACI coaches (Chuck and I) for a get together and to feed us starving bachelors. Regardless if we won or loss the games, the invite was always there. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Jim, Debbie and your siblings.
Tom Callon
January 9, 2022
Dear Deb, Jim, Mary Kit, Elizabeth and your entire family, the friendships that our families shared as neighbours on Winnipeg Avenue and then @ East Loon are among my fondest memories of growing up in Thunder Bay. Your dad's unique, hearty, ever present laugh was a gift that endeared him to all. I will treasure our chats on Winnipeg Avenue about the fate of our beloved New York Yankees. I will treasure the laughter that reverberated from the Comuzzi or Callon cottages whenever Janet, Joe, Ruth, Tom and any number of us got together. Please know how much your family is in the thoughts and prayers of our family as you experience the loss of your dad. Love to each of you from our entire family.
Kelly Greer
January 7, 2022
During the nineteen-seventies, Joe Comuzzi was one the forefathers to us kids growing up at East Loon Lake. Joe falls into the complimentary category of `What A Guy!´ Joe´s larger than life stature and affable demeanour were constantly evident. I always knew Joe would stop to say hello and chat. He was an enthusiastically genuine people person. I really enjoyed Joe´s most excellent one-liners and zingers. I am very thankful that Joe was the first person to commission me for an oil painting of his cottage. Joe´s act of supporting the arts lead to many more cottage portraits. The Comuzzi family has significantly contributed to many fond East Loon Lake memories. As Joe did in this life and I´m sure has done in the hereafter, namely `crossed the floor´, this time to eternal rest and peace. My heartfelt condolences to Debbie, Jimmy, Mary-Kit and Elizabeth their relatives and many dear friends near and far. Sincerely, Kelly Greer
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Martha Pickett and Jim Brezina
January 7, 2022
Our thoughts are with Kit and the entire Comuzzi family at this difficult time. Your father was an extraordinary man, who accomplished so much during his life. His achievements will live on and we know that you will carry him in your hearts forever.
Gwen Petel
January 7, 2022
Sorry to hear of the passing of Joe. Deepest Condolences to the Comuzzi Family
margaret mauger
January 6, 2022
So sorry to read the announcement and my sympathy to all the family! Joe was truly an active voice for the North!
Knew him when we lived in Thunder Bay !
Rick DeBenetti
January 6, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Comuzzi family. Emilio DeBenetti and family
Carmen Bachynski ( Morrison)
January 6, 2022
So sorry for your loss.Our prayers and thoughts are with you
Derek Babcock
January 6, 2022
So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was such a presence on the ball field when I knew him, and again at Bar Admissions in Toronto when our paths crossed again. Having grown up with Jim, I know that the loss for the family is profound, and I am thinking of you with fondness through your grief.
sherry huston
January 5, 2022
TO YOUR FAMILY WE DEEPLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS MR.COMUZZI HE WAS A GREAT MAN DEVOTED TO HIS FAMILY AND HIS FRIEND HIS WAS VERY IMPORTMENT AND HE VERY HARD AT TOO WE WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH TAKE CARE TO THE COMUZZI FAMILY
Rob Stitt and family
January 5, 2022
To Deb, Jimmy, Mary-Kit, Elizabeth and all the Comuzzi family, my deepest sympathies and condolences on Joe´s passing. His presence will be greatly missed in the Thunder Bay community. For me, I will always miss the life-long friendship and chemistry between your mom and dad, and my parents, especially all those countless Loon Lake summers we all enjoyed collectively with our parents. - Just their presence - they were always there for us, their great conversations always coupled with a sense of humour, and the memorable summer dinner parties down the beach at the Comuzzi residence...All of these memories will be with me and put a smile on my face from time to time - their gift and legacy to me. With the passing of Joe, a part of my childhood...a part of my life is now a memory. All the best to the entire family! Rob
Jackie Dojack
January 5, 2022
I have fond memories of being at a number of openings of new schools in Northwestern Ontario, with Joe, when I worked for the Ministry of Education. Although he was an important political figure at the time, he was always humble and gracious. We, in Northwestern Ontario have much to be grateful for his work on our behalf. May your many happy memories bring you comfort in your loss. Sincerely, Jackie
Calvin Harasemchuk
January 5, 2022
To the Comuzzi family, sorry for your loss. The gentle giant has left the room.
No matter how much time had passed by, Joe never forgot your name or your face.
Thank you Joe for the memories...
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