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Joseph Ciufo
May 16, 1036 – October 15, 2024
After a long, full life and a brief illness, our beloved husband, father, brother, cousin and dear friend Joe left us to play with the greats. Joe Ciufo passed away peacefully on October 15, 2024 at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie with family by his side. Born to Filippo (Joe) Ciufo and Antonietta (Andaloro) Ciufo on May 16, 1936, Joe grew up in Mimico above his father’s barbershop as the oldest of the Ciufo-Andaloro clan of cousins and big brother to Phillip.
An excellent student, Joe sailed through John English Elementary School and Mimico High School, but encountered an obstacle he chose not to overcome but to embrace – jazz music. Opting to jam rather than cram, Joe ended up leaving the University of Toronto after the first year to tour with Roy Hockley and the Royal Dynaflows.
A chance encounter with a special redhead at the Lansing Tavern in Michigan changed Joe’s plans and sent him back to teaching and Toronto. Joe married Judy Anderson on July 23, 1960 and started a partnership that would sustain them both for the rest of their lives. Their marriage was truly an equal proposition back when most were not. They welcomed their one and only child Jody Lee ten months later.
Joe loved teaching and he loved the kids. He animated history, geography and social studies and threw in memorable tidbits, true or not, to help kids learn. Naturally, the music room was where he had his greatest influence. He got the green light to create a phenomenal band program where students started their instruments in grade 5 and reached a level of musicianship not often experienced in elementary school. The Es Band’s performance at Massey Hall capped a wonderful career.
Before, during and after teaching, Joe played in countless bands including rock and roll, big bands, oompah, jazz combos, but never country music. From his first gig at Mimico High School as a teenager, Joe played with The Bimini Trio, Rocco del Sud, the Jazzeppi Trio, The Occasional Woman, and played his last gig in Washago just last summer at the age of 87. He practiced almost every day, going through scales, exercises and improvision and loved getting together with other musicians, most especially with his son-in-law on the piano. An instructor told him his best gift was his ears: “You hear ideas, phrases, licks – because you have listened!”
Listening and connecting with people was also his best quality well beyond music. Joe embodied joy, confidence, tolerance and humour. The old stories were constant companions – whether invited or not – and he was universally loved by friends, family and acquaintances be it in Florida, Orillia, Ottawa or elsewhere.
Joe chalked up many achievements and accolades. He ultimately did graduate from U of T with his BA and his Master of Education, as well as his grade 10 in saxophone from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He loved so many things: golf, gambling, cruises, baseball, meals (especially seafood), the cottage, the track and most of all his family.
Joe lives on in the hearts of his wife Judy, daughter Jody, son-in-law Tony Dunn, grandson Laurier Lamontagne, brother Phil, many cousins, dear friends and so many others who met him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 26 at 11:30 a.m. followed by a service at 1 p.m. at the G.H. Hogle Funeral Home, 63 Mimico Avenue in Toronto. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
2024
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario
death notice JOSEPH CIUFO 2024
obituaries notice JOSEPH CIUFO 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of JOSEPH CIUFO 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
