OCCHIO, Father Joseph S.D.B. -

Fr. Joseph Occhio was born to Giuseppe and Giovannina Spizzi Occhio on November 17, 1923 in Gallignano, Italy and died peacefully on December 13, 2014 in Toronto, Canada. He professed as a Salesian of Don Bosco on September 14, 1940 in Newton, New Jersey and was ordained to the priesthood on July 2, 1950 at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, Italy. For 34 years he contributed to the formation of young Salesians as director at Salesian Center in Columbus, Ohio and at Don Bosco College Seminary in Newton New Jersey as college president, dean of students, religious formation coordinator and, for 29 years, professor of philosophy. In 1987 he came to Canada and began a second career in Salesian community leadership and in parish ministry in Montréal, Edmonton and, for the last 15 years, in Toronto. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Angela, Maria, Francesco, Sr. Celeste, Natalina and Luigi. His surviving siblings are Franco, Fede, Tarcisio and Fr. Leone. We thank God for the witness of a life dedicated to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, to tireless ministry in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to a tender devotion to Mary. May his example inspire all of us to serve the Lord in JOY! Resting at St. Benedict Church, 2194 Kipling Avenue, Monday December 15 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday December 16 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday December 17, 2014 from St. Benedict Church at 11:00 a.m. Prayer Service at Missione Maria Ausiliatrice, 8555, Ave. Maurice-Duplessis, Montreal (Qc) on Thursday December 18 at 9:30 a.m. Interment Repos St. Francois d’Assis Montreal (Qc). As expressions of sympathy donations to the Don Bosco Mission Office, formation of Salesian Priests and Brothers, 2194 Kipling Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M9W 4K9 would be appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to the NEWEDIUK FUNERAL HOME, 416-745-7555. Online condolences at newediukfuneralhome.com