Obituary of Adalberto Boccia

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Adalberto Sergio Bruno Boccia. Alberto died peacefully in his 83rd year, surrounded by his family in his daughter Lara’s home in Ottawa on April 9. He was a devoted papa to Lara (John), Annalisa (Dan) and Sergio, a good friend of their mother, Margaret, and a much beloved nonno to his four granddaughters – Clarissa, Emma, Tonya and Sophia. Alberto was predeceased by his older brother, Mario.Alberto devoted his life to building a better life for his family. For most of his career he worked for Bata Footwear, starting out in a warehouse in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and working his way up to Vice President of Canadian operations in Batawa, Ontario. He was especially fond of the time he spent working for Bata in Thailand. He later went on to work for Nu-Plast in Brampton until his retirement.Upon retiring, Alberto moved back to Kingston to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement in Kingston where he took long walks by the Cataraqui river and had coffee with dear friends daily.Alberto spent many happy evenings enjoying barbecues with Lisa and Dan in their garden. He loved going for walks with them by the water and visiting many coffee shops in downtown Kingston. He always had a competitive game of Words with Friends on the go with Dan.Alberto enjoyed visiting Lara and John and the girls in Ottawa where he spoiled them with morning cappuccinos, but loved it more when the family came to Kingston and “camped out” in his condo.Alberto savoured many a fine Scotch from all over the world thanks to the travels of his son, Sergio. And wherever Alberto was, he was able to stay connected to family and friends because Sergio always made sure he had the latest high tech device.“Albert” will be fondly remembered by his friends and neighbours at ‪120 Barrett Court and also by friends and staff at his favourite daily coffee place (the CFB Kingston McDonald’s). His family is deeply grateful for the many joyful memories these friends made for their dad.Suffering for over a year with esophageal cancer, Alberto taught his family what it meant to never give up and to always enjoy the little pleasures of life…especially a homemade espresso in the morning…and to “wake up happy”.His family is deeply grateful for the incredible care and compassion he received from his oncology team in Kingston: Dr. Faulkson (and Sylvie and Caterina), Dr. Chung (and Carol) and Dr. Biagi (and Lourdes). They are also very thankful for the homecare nurses in Ottawa, especially Mark, and for Dr. McKinnon (his palliative care doctor), who made it possible for him to be at home until the very end. His family is also very grateful to his family doctor, Dr. Erica Thompson, for all her care and compassion throughout the past year.Alberto will be laid to rest at the Cataraqui Cemetery at a later date due to Covid-19 restrictions. His daughter, Lara, and her family ask for prayers or Masses for the repose of his soul.Donations can be made in Alberto’s memory to the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario (Kingston General Hospital, Burr Wing). Arrangements entrusted to CATARAQUI CEMETERY AND FUNERAL SERVICES.