Devoted couple’s loving bond remains as strong 60 years on

MUTUAL friends knew what they were doing when they introduced Jeff and Emma Pezzutti.

This week the couple capped off 60 years of marriage with a Papal blessing and congratulatory cards from the Queen, Governor-General and Prime Minister.

Married at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cairns on March 1, 1958, Jeff and Emma met through mutual friends.

Both were first-generation Australians born to Italian parents – Jeff in Mourilyan to Giacomo and Genoveffa Pezzutti and Emma in Cairns to Giacinto and Nina Guazzo.

Jeff moved to Cairns as a teenager in the early 1950s, helping his family establish a cane farm at White Rock.

“Part of that farm is where Trinity Anglican School is today,” says Jeff and Emma’s daughter Karen Chester.

“Dad was part of the foundation team that helped establish TAS and gave generously of his time and financial support to the fledgling school.

“Later, when developers wanted to purchase the rest of the White Rock farm, Dad en- sured it was sold to TAS to allow for future growth.

“Dad is a big believer in education as he feels that is what helped him succeed in life. He is still invited to speech nights and donates trophies to many local schools and as recently as December helped bury a time capsule at TAS with the class of 2017.”

While Jeff immersed himself in local government, giving 29 years to Mulgrave Shire and Cairns City as a councillor and deputy mayor, Emma kept the home fires burning.

“Behind every great man there is a great woman and that is my Mum,” Karen says.

“Mum looked after the household and ensured it ran smoothly, so Dad could dedicate a lot of time to public service. Mum is one of those people who puts others’ needs above her own and still does.”

Emma’s family has a long history in Cairns. Her grandfather, Mario Cantoni, is remembered through Cantoni Park in Bayview Heights.

“Dad has a park named after him too, Jeff Pezzutti Park in Woree.

“He is still involved in cane farms and works on his late brother’s farm at Edmonton. Farming is in his blood.”

Jeff continues to be involved with Leichhardt Soccer Club, Edmonton Fishing Club and Saints Hockey and is a devoted family man, says Karen.

“They have been the most generous, kind and self-sacrificing parents. Mum and Dad come from that generation of hard knocks. Working hard and self-sacrifice is second nature to them – they don’t know any other way.”