Giuseppe Perin

May 20, 1931 - April 26, 2025

In loving memory ~

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Giuseppe Perin — a man whose love, strength, and devotion to his family defined his life, and whose absence leaves an immeasurable void.

Giuseppe was a devoted husband to Anna Lucia, a loving father to Paola and Barbara, and a proud nonno to his granddaughter, Adele—named after his own mother, Adelaide, whose memory he carried with reverence. His love for his family was powerful and unconditional. He was a peaceful man, calm and serene by nature.

Born in Barcon, a small town in the province of Treviso in northern Italy, Giuseppe was raised among seven siblings. He lived through the devastation of World War II, witnessing profound hardship at a young age—yet his spirit and resilience remained unbroken. As a young man, he served in the military police, stationed in Genoa for six years, proudly serving his country.

In the 1960s, Giuseppe immigrated to Canada, working first in the Yukon and Alberta before settling in British Columbia. It was during a visit back to Italy that he met Anna Lucia, the woman who would become his wife and life partner for 48 years. They soon returned to Canada, beginning their new chapter in Tahsis, where Giuseppe worked as a lumber grader. In 1990, they moved to Nanaimo, making it their permanent home. There, he became self-employed, tending to gardens, trees, and outdoor spaces—a hands-on life that never really felt like work to him.

Giuseppe was a man of extraordinary physical, moral, and spiritual strength. A devout Catholic, he lived simply and intentionally—valuing discipline, moderation, and faith. He possessed remarkable stamina well into his later years; his daughter Paola fondly recalls a full-day, self-guided walking tour of San Francisco when he was 79, covering over 30 kilometers with energy and enthusiasm, encouraging her to keep up.

He never dwelled on the small stuff and truly believed in the goodness and happiness of others. He was the very definition of a good man—caring, forgiving, and loyal. He valued grit, effort, and humility, and his quiet dignity left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

He is also lovingly remembered by his sisters Anna and Maria in Italy, and by many nieces and nephews who cherished their zio. His life was rich in love, tradition, and simple pleasures—gardening, making wine, dancing, playing the harmonica, sharing stories, and reading scripture. His favorite song, What a Wonderful World, moved him to tears every time. It reflected the tenderness of his heart and his deep belief that life, indeed, is beautiful.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Nanaimo on May 20th at 1:00 PM—Giuseppe's 94th birthday. A fitting day to celebrate a life so beautifully lived.

We are forever grateful to have called him our husband and father. His legacy of love, strength, and serenity will live on in all of us