Passed peacefully, holding her son’s hand on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at the age of 85. Beloved wife of Frank for 35 years, until Frank’s untimely passing in 1994. Dear mother of Anthony (Heide). Beloved grandmother of Amelia (Adam) and Francesco. Predeceased by her parents Antonio and Amelia Carpino of Figline Vegliaturo, Calabria, Italy. Cherished sister of Mary Pirillo (late Dominic). Sister-in-law of Adalgisa Fragomeni (late Antonio), late Victor Marrato (late Nina), Elvira Rosso (late Frank), and Mario Marrato (Laura Coleman). Daughter-in-law of the late Antonio and the late Teresa Marrato. She will be fondly remembered by her many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Alba was born in the town of Figline Vegliaturo, Calabria. At the age of 12, she left her home and beloved grandparents to emigrate to Canada with her mother and sister, like many at that time, for a better life. At a young age, she worked in her uncle’s restaurant, Capy’s on Queen Street where, as she would say “we had no money, but we were happy”. It was there that she met the love of her life, Frank, and thus began a love that, in the words of her favourite poet, Dante Alighieri, “che move il sole e l’altre stelle”. For many years, Alba owned and operated Sorrento’s on Gore Street with her sister and brother-in-law managing the dinner hour until close, six nights a week, often playing host to professional entertainers, athletes, and politicians from every level of government, who happened through Sault Ste. Marie. Her favourite customers were the families and young “Saultites” who frequented Sorrento’s weekly. The love of her life, Frank, would check in on her almost every evening when he could, and sit at a little table by the kitchen. After many years of being a restaurateur and some other business ventures, Alba retired with the plan to relax and travel with Frank. Regretfully, she lost Frank when he was 58, never having gone on those big trips with him. But a year later, she was blessed with her first grandchild, Amelia and shortly thereafter, Francesco. What followed were many happy years filled with countless family meals expertly prepared by her loving hands, breakfasts at grandma’s before school, dance recitals, sports games and practices, and a few family trips. Along the way, Alba would volunteer in the community when she could. Of note, were weekly casino bus runs “For A Cure” that she organized for the Canadian Cancer Society and singing in the Calabrese Choir. She would tell you a life of love is a life complete. We like to think that she is now with her beloved Frank, who has been patiently waiting and watching “from the little table by the kitchen”.
There are countless individuals the family wishes to thank and acknowledge for going above and beyond to make Alba’s final years comfortable, pleasant, and enjoyed with dignity: Dr. Carolyn Kuntz and her caring staff; Paramed home nurses Kasia and Susan; Angela Ricci who came to the house every week, without fail, to do Alba’s hair; the late Helen Calvelli who would visit regularly with Alba; Lesley Dixon, Speech Pathologist; Eric Evans, Occupational Therapist; Kate McLeod, Recreational Therapist; Father Alex Saurianthadathil for his spiritual guidance; Judith Cloutier for her daily assistance; Debbie Ladd, her companion for the “ladies’ outings”; the St. Gerard Majella Card Club; her neighbours on Plummer Court; and the many wonderful CBI PSWs who attended our home and made Alba feel special. She was blessed by all of you being in her life.
Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at St. Gerard Majella Church at 1:00 p.m. with Father Charles Ngozi Abiamiri officiating. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District, Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH), St. Gerard Majella Church, or a charity of personal significance would be appreciated by the family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.northwoodfuneral.com.