Obituary of Mario Alba

Mario Alba of Manhasset, NY passed away on August 2, 2024.  He was a devoted husband to his wife, Rosa (nee Bassolino), son of Giuseppe and Giovanna (nee Augello), father to Joanne Alba Foster and Mario Jr., Nonno to Julia, Elizabeth, Giovanna, Daniela and Francesco, and father in law to Michael Foster and Elisa (nee Riverso).

Mario was born in Sciacca, Sicily in 1938. His father died when he was very young - just 2 years old. He and his mother, Giovanna, came to America in 1955 when he was 16 looking for a better life on a boat called the Cristoforo Colombo  - the sister boat to the Andreadoria. They first went to live with his uncle in Brooklyn who had to sponsor them to come over. At first, Mario wasn’t allowed to come over with his mother, but since he only had one parent, the US government let him come too.

Like many Italian immigrants, they both started working in the factories sewing zippers. 

He then went on to get his technical degree in electronics.

He and Rosa met at a dance hall in Queens and they married a few years later in 1969 and had Joanne 9 months later - a honeymoon baby.

Mario always worked hard. He was part of the Teamsters union and worked at Norelco Phillips in their Long Island City factory during the day and then would come home, eat dinner, and then go do some extra hours at the US Post Office, which used to be across the street from Penn Station.  He eventually became a foreman at the factory.  

When Norelco moved out of Long Island City, he didn’t want to uproot his family. Eventually he found the job of his dreams. He worked at RAI USA - the Italian TV and radio station in NY and became a member of the CWA union. He was truely happy to go to work every day. He loved what he did and used his technical degree while working amongst mostly Italians, speaking Italian all day. He was loved and respected by his colleagues and peers. No matter who you were, he made you feel special. But again, he worked hard. He worked 6 out of 7 days a week for over 20 years.

When he retired, he became a full time nonno to Julia and Elizabeth and then Giovanna and Daniela. He also became a full time chauffeur, travel companion and best friend and husband for Rosa who he would gladly take anywhere - whether it was Atlantic City, Las Vegas, a cruise or Jensen Beach. He loved Rosa dearly and would do anything for her.

Mario was unselfish. Whether he took the time out to tutor the daughter of one of our friends, or when Joanne needed him to watch her kids or fix something in her house, or when Giovanna was born and he and Elisa's father babysat her for close to a year.

He liked to collect stamps, loved science and space, and loved to watch sports and science fiction.

He loved to watch the Mets, Giants, Knicks, Rangers and Soccer (mostly Italian league). He became a Mets fan after the NY Giants baseball team moved to California. Mario would recount stories about going to the Polo Grounds or watching Pele when he was with the Cosmos. He and Rosa always talked about the Knicks championship teams in 1970 and 1973.  

Unfortunately, almost 9 years ago, he suffered a stroke that took away his ability to speak and walk. The stroke years attempt to make you forget the first 77 years of his life. But one of the most memorable moments that his family remembers is when he would sing either Happy Birthday or God Bless America. Although he was born in Italy and was proud to be Italian, he was just as proud to be an American.

He also never stopped being a Nonno. He loved seeing his now 5 grandchildren (adding Francesco to his 4 ladies). They would make him light up. Even for a brief moment. He put his arm around them and gave them a hug. They loved him back. Perhaps he inspired Julia to become a speech therapist. Or maybe he inspires one of his grandchildren to become a doctor. Either way, he never stopped making an impact.

 He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.  

Visitation:

Monday 3-5pm & 7-9pm

Funeral Mass:

Tuesday 10:15am

St. Mary's Church

1300 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, NY 11030

Mausoleum Entombment:

St. John's Cemetery, Middle Village, NY