Joe Masi

Joe was born on February 7, 1949, in Drumheller, Alberta to Francesco and Concetta (née Fiorentino) Masi. Joe was the eldest of two, with younger sister Angelina being born shortly before the family moved to Regina. Growing up in Regina, Joe attended catholic school, delivered newspapers, and learned to play the accordion. In the summers, he often took the train west to Cranbrook to stay with his grandparents, Agostino and Rosa Fiorentino. Joe frequently reminisced about those summers, where he enjoyed spending time with his grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many cousins. He became particularly close to his uncles, Frank, Gus and Ang, who treated him like their younger brother.

Itching to leave the city life, on the day of his last high school exam, Joe packed his bags and rode the train one final time to Cranbrook. In the subsequent years, he worked labourer jobs, spent memorable times with family and friends, and enjoyed adventures in the mountains – particularly annual horseback excursions to Connor’s lake. Following in his uncles’ footsteps, he became a heavy duty mechanic and welder, receiving his journeyman certificate in Nanaimo and joining them first at Interior Diesel and then at Fiorentino Brothers Contracting. After purchasing his first parcel of land in his mid-twenties, Joe and his uncles started dabbling in the cattle business.

In the fall of 1977, Joe, Frank, Gus and Ang – along with their business partner Lou Rogers – purchased land at Fort Steele and founded Kootenay River Ranch. Joe would become the manager of the ranch, living in a small log cabin on the property. He spent his first years learning hard lessons about ranching and relying on more seasoned cattlemen to gain the knowledge needed to run a farm of considerable size. In due time, Joe grew the ranch into a successful cow-calf operation and took great pride in his work. He embraced the ranching lifestyle and had the pleasure of working cooperatively throughout his career with many farm families in the community. He was known for his strong work ethic and commitment to maintaining a healthy herd and an efficient operation.

In 1984, Joe married Susie Capuano and shortly thereafter, they started a family, first welcoming daughter Andrea, in 1985, and son Mathew, in 1987. The family would spend many happy years on the ranch. Together they enjoyed the daily routines of ranch life and welcomed family and friends to join them for special occasions. To Joe’s delight, the ranch became a gathering place for the larger Fiorentino family. Many wonderful memories were made and younger cousins took to the country lifestyle, thanks in part to their “uncle Joe.” In 2019, the ranch was sold, and Joe and Susie retired to a small acreage just outside of Cranbrook. Joe spent his final years tending to his yard, going on long walks, and spending cherished time with his grandchildren Emery and Wyatt.

Joe is survived by his wife of 41 years, Susie, his daughter Andrea, son Mathew (Elisea), sister Angie (Lee) Hart, sister-in-law Toni (Tony) Evans, brother-in-law Silvio (Christine) Capuano, grandchildren Emery and Wyatt Burton, nieces and nephews Allison (Ryan) Ellis, Nathan (Ariana) Hart, Vince Capuano, Tara (Jason) Silzer, and Amanda Capuano, great nephews and nieces Isaac, Nash, Danica, and Makayla, and many cherished cousins, aunts, and uncles. He is predeceased by his parents Connie and Frank, his mother- and father-in-law Carmela and Leonardo Capuano, his brother-in-law, Vince Capuano, numerous aunts and uncles, and his cousins Josh Anderson, Rosemary Loschiavo, David Fiorentino, and Mike Mackie.

Joe’s family would like to thank the many wonderful doctors, nurses, and hospital staff at East Kootenay Regional Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital, who supported him throughout his difficult medical journey.

A celebration of Joe’s life will take place on September 19 at 1:30 pm at the Colombo Lodge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joe’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society.

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