Giuseppe Tombazzi

My friend, may walk with God. I will see you again.

Joey’s mother, Zia Assunta, had a difficult pregnancy so when Joey was born there was little possibility that he would have siblings. He was born in 1976, a famous year of the Montreal Olympics. It was big joy for everyone, especially his father Zio Pierino but maybe the happiest person was his Nonna Caterina when she learnt that he would be named Giuseppe Tombazzi after her beloved husband long gone. He was also named Cosimo, after his maternal grandfather.
A cesarean section was necessary for Joey’s birth and all the joy was met with some sadness when doctors discovered polyps inside of Zia Assunta that needed to be removed. Mother and son had to be separated temporarily, she stayed in the hospital and newborn Joey went to his Zia Arcangela’s home for a few days.

I remember Joey being at the house, tiny with black hair screaming all the time. As he grew he was always full of life, thick black hair, his mother’s olive skin and those big dark eyes that would darling stare at you promising mischief. He had boundless energy, typical of your healthy boy. It was quite a job for his parents to keep up with him.

I have memories of Zia Assunta chasing after him, yelling in her typical loud voice “Giuseppe” as she held a peeled banana in her hand ready for him to eat. She was always worried that he wouldn’t grow up strong and healthy.

Although he never said so, Joey suffered from being an orphan. His father in 2008 and then his beloved mother in 2011. All this left an irreparable void in his life, even their dog Skippy, the last reminder of his life with his family, died in that period.

Unfortunately Joey inherited his mother’s frail health conditions. From a young age he underwent too many surgeries and medical controls. Despite this plague of endless maladies Joey was always positive.

Joey had a big heart, he loved life and his laughter reverberated everywhere. He was loud and rambunctious, when he was in a room everyone would know it, never afraid to speak his mind. He loved to go over to his Zia’s homes, he knew he was always welcomed, he was part of the family. A good meal, an exchange of jokes and comments with his cousins and then a long nap on the sofa.

He worked for many years serving food samples at Costco. He always had funny stories to tell us about his experiences. I’m sure his friends there will miss his laughter and funny stories. He was brilliant with computers and always hoped to find a job in the field. He was always helping everyone with technical problems.

Joey left us way too soon. He had to endure yet another major surgery this was supposed to help him, make him better. He looked forward to driving his new car, to getting better and enjoying life. He wasn’t fortunate.

We’ll all miss Joey and are still in disbelief that he was taken away so soon. We can only hope and pray that he is at peace with his mother and father who loved him so.

Joey, you are no longer here with us but we will never forget you. Never.

J’ai d’abord refusé d’y croire et j’ai du me résigner à me dire que seuls me restent les moments passés ensembles, gravés à jamais dans mon cœur et ma mémoire. Un vide effroyable s’est logé en moi suite à la perte dont nous sommes aujourd’hui victime.Nous savons tous que la vie n’est pas éternelle, mais quand c’est l’un des nôtres qui s’en va, c’est une véritable déchirure. Nous ne sommes jamais préparés à la perte d’un être cher. Aucun mot ne serait suffisant pour exprimer le chagrin causé par cette disparition et rien ne saurait l’apaiser.
Je compatis sincèrement à la douleur qui est la votre aujourd’hui.
Miss you Joey tu seras toujours dans mon cœur et dans mes souvenirs love you 🥰

Chèr Joey, ici ce n’est plus du tout le même silence qu’auparavant, il y a un silence assourdissant. Je vois que ce qui m’apporte de la peine, m’apporte aussi de la joie. Quand je suis triste, je regarde à nouveau dans mon cœur, et je vois que je pleure ce qui me rendait heureux, notre longue amitié simple et sincère. Tu me manquera lors des “road-trips” à Boston, à Tremblant et partout où ont est allé ensemble au Québec et au USA. Même si tu n’es plus là où tu étais… tu sera partout là où j’irai.
R.I.P. Joey.

I’m so sorry to hear about Joe’s passing. Even though we never met in real life, we spent many hours playing on the computer together.
May his soul Rest In Peace.

Salut JOÉ comme voisin tu étais super toujours prêt aider les autres
tu saluais tout monde avec un sourire on regarde souvent par la fenêtre on imagine te voire RIP mon chum

Jvais m’ennuyer de toi mon voisin mon chum te dire salue à tous les jours sur ton balcon parler de tous et de rien 😢 tu va manquer à mes enfants aussi .