Edward Calleja
elevated 7seHf January 13, 1931 ~ October 3, 2020
elevated 7seHf Funeral Mass
Thursday, October 8, 2020 – By invitation only
elevated 7seHf Chapel of St. Joseph- Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
elevated 7seHf Interment
elevated 7seHf Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
elevated 7seHf Obituary
elevated 7seHf Edward was born January 13, 1931, on the island of Malta, the eldest child in a family of three. He met Lucy in Hamrun, when he was apprenticing at the naval dockyards in Valetta, and started a relationship that would last his lifetime. Lucy came to Canada in 1951 with her family, and continued to correspond with Edward until 1954 when he joined her in Toronto. They were married on August 27, 1955 at Holy Name Church on the Danforth. Together Edward and Lucy raised two daughters, Diane and Michelle, in their happy home in the Beach. Edward worked at Canada Post for 37 years before leaving to enjoy his well-earned retirement. In 2015, he celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with Lucy. Lucy passed away in August of 2016 just shy of their 61st wedding anniversary, and Edward lost his soulmate. Edward nurtured his family throughout his long life. His devotion to Lucy and his children grounded his life.
elevated 7seHf Edward had many passions in his life but his greatest was the family. Edward centred his life on his home, his wife, his children and his grandchildren, Timmy, Danielle, Nichole, Julianne, Adam and Caitlin. He was their biggest fan. He cherished his relationships with his brother and sister and their families in England and Australia, and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their families in Canada and Malta. Every member of his large immediate and extended family held a special place in his heart.
elevated 7seHf Edward had a lifelong love for the performing arts, in particular for theatre and the opera. Every winter the family would don our formal wear and make the trek to the O’Keefe Centre (Meridian Hall) to see an opera, and every summer found us on the bus to Stratford to see a play at one of the Stratford theatres. From Madame Butterfly to The Beatles, the house was always filled with music of one sort or another.
elevated 7seHf Edward was a loving husband, respected father, adored Nannu and loyal uncle with a gentle disposition and a kind heart. We are so grateful that he has been able to share his life with us.
elevated 7seHf Many thanks to all the staff at Kingsway Place Retirement Residence in Aurora for supporting Edward and providing such compassionate care.
elevated 7seHf In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto or The Heart and Stroke Foundation. See below for the link to the service, 1:30pm, Thursday, October 8 – “Click here to view mass”.
elevated 7seHf Click Here to View the Mass
Rest In Peace EDdy I will always miss visiting you and my sister. Life is not the same without you two. You were my sister,s only boyfriend. Now you are together forever. Your journey here is over. Rest In Peace EDdy. You were a good brother in law and it seems like I have known you forever.
Dear Diane and Michelle. We are so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was such a kind and gentle person who showed immense devotion to your family. You were wonderful daughters, and you took care of him so lovingly after your mom’s passing. I have fond memories of spending time at your house growing up and the ritual of having tea and cookies with your parents with your dad citing the important news of the day. We send our condolences and please know we are thinking of your families at this time. Rest in peace Uncle Eddy.
Rest In Peace uncle Eddy. You will be missed. I have always admired your cultured and sophisticated interest in the arts.
I have many happy memories of of times spent at your home in the Beaches. Uncle Eddie was a calm and gentle soul and will be missed greatly. I remember him sitting in his armchair reading the newspaper and I enjoyed our conversations about healthcare which he was always keen to discuss. Diane and Michelle, you took such great care of him.
One of my fondest memories of your parents was stopping over unannounced at the house, and finding your dad chasing your mum around the house, and her swishing him off, laughing, with her tea towel. I was standing there in the kitchen and your mum was chastising him for embarrassing her in front of the neighbours! I offered to leave, but she insisted I stay, and have a cup of tea, and some cookies. In no time your dad returned, papers in hand and a few tidbits of breaking news to pass along… Eddy was a lovely man, a family man, a man who loved to get the news first and loved his kids to the moon and back but the most important person in his life was always your mother. I imagine them back together now, laughing, and sharing all the news the other missed during these last few years they have been apart. May they rest in peace together and remain always in our hearts. Condolences to you and Diane, and all family and friends. May your parent’s great love and life lessons remain with us forever.
Thanks Michelle for letting me know. Very sad but for me, there is comfort in knowing that Uncle Eddy has been reunited with Aunt Lucy and so many of his family, including my father, who pre-deceased him. Imagine the stories they are sharing with each other, even now!
So many wonderful memories of your dad to hold dear. Most of them involve a good cup of tea. We are so sorry for your family’s loss. I believe that he is with your mom and I can hear her saying, “Oh, Ed” which is followed by hearing them both burst with laughter. They had a lifelong love to be envied. We will see them again. Sending lots of love and prayers for your healing hearts.
Our deepest condolences, Michelle and Diane, on the passing of your Dad.
Our mother loved spending time with Aunt Lucy and Uncle Eddie, and so did we. The last time I spent time with both of them, your Dad started talking to me about his family in Malta and Aunt Lucy’s family as well. It was a lovely afternoon and I left, as I always did, with a full heart and stomach. Not long after, I received an envelope in the mail with a handwritten note and several pictures. Your Dad took the time to make copies of pictures of his family and our own and, in his note, shared some of his story of growing up in Malta and moving to Toronto. After having lost our mother so many years ago, it was lovely to have someone give us insight into her family and their experiences as new immigrants to Canada. That was the type of man that Uncle Eddie was- thoughtful, introspective, intelligent, gentle, and generous. I miss your mother a great deal and he was always right beside her. I feel blessed to have been able
to spend some time
with them in their later years. Our love goes out to all of you. Your parents’ names will be on our lips and our children will know who they were.
With love,
Cynthia, Melissa, Andrew and family
Rest in piece Uncle Eddie. I remember your calm demeanour and the way you lovingly teased Aunt Lucy. You could easily see there was something special between them. Cookies, tea, opera and reluctantly playing Barbies with Michelle are the memories that still surface after all these years. Condolences to Diane and Michelle, the wonderful daughters you were so proud of.
Dear Diane and Michelle. I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. He was such a gentleman and a family man and was so proud of you both. I always remember him on his way home from work walking up Brookmount, newspaper in hand, and he’d stop to say a quick hello. He and your Mom Lucy were a wonderful couple and I would imagine he missed her greatly these past few years since she passed away. When I have walked down the street – it is not the same place without them.
My most sincere condolences to you both. You have so many wonderful memories of them both that you will be able to share for many years to come.
Dear Diane and Michelle, Sorry to hear this sad news about your father Eddy. Your parents were such a joy. I miss them. Talking over the fence about this and that with your mom, every day things like what she was making Eddy for dinner, the grandkids, the state of the house, the yard, the neighbour and his antics, and how Eddy was doing it all. Talking to your dad about the theatre and opera, he especially liked talking to John about the theatre. He’d come running out with something, a picture, an article to discuss with John. Great neighbours. Once again sorry for your loss.
Dear Diane and Michelle,
Heartfelt condolences to both of you and all your loved ones on the loss of your treasured Father. Your Father represented the essence of a humble soul embracing his journey with your Mother surrounded by peace, love and happiness. Truly a testament to a life well lived and loved.
The lights have now dimmed on Brookmount Road forever yet the sky is radiant and bright reuniting your beloved parents forever.
God Bless You Always
Susan Petticrew
Dear Michelle and Diane So sorry about the loss of your Dad to us Uncle Eddie I will never forget the number of times I went to visit and I would hear the famous Hello it was so unique I will always remember the happy times spent with you all when we lived in Toronto I even remember walking from my house on Stanton Ave to my Aunt and Uncles such special memories times I will always remember I will never forget stilling watching television with Uncle Ed at $;30 in the afternoon we were watching the Young and the Restless May he rest in peace and he and Aunt lo can now continue there journey in Heaven Again he will be truly missed
I will always remember our weekly chats and the time you came to Australia and we travelled across two states together And you are such a generous host when I visited you one of the highlights of my life is the beautiful Christmas dinner you put on back in 1989 in Toronto .
You are such a kind generous gentle soul I’m gonna miss you so much .
Love from your nephew Australia
Allan
Oh and thank you for the lovely comics clothes and new toys are used to send us when we were kids it was always exciting getting a big parcel from you each year thank you
It was a pleasure to meet and take care of Edward. All the staff at Kingsway Place really enjoyed having him here as a resident. We will miss him very much. Our condolences to Diane, Michelle and the rest of the family.
I asked Uncle Ed to be my confirmation sponsor, many years ago. His kindness and friendliness and helped make the whole day for me. Uncle Ed was the same kind and friendly person every time we visited. Thank you Uncle. Rest In Peace.
Condolences to you and your family Diane.
He was blessed to have such a wonderful life and family.
God Bless
Angie
Dearest family, dear Diane,
I am truly sorry for your loss; there is never a good time to let go such a loved person. I enjoyed reading about his full life filled with so much love. I’m sure he continues to listen to the opera in heaven! God bless him & my thoughts with you during this difficult time.