Alfonse Andrew Gioia

Alfonse A. Gioia, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away on July 30, 2016, after a period of declining health. Al was predeceased by his his first wife and mother of his two daughters, Geraldine. He is survived by his wife of ten years, Guyette Honeyman Gioia; daughters Amy Sadoff and husband Joel and Kathy Galpin, as well as his very special grandson, Ryan Sadoff.

Al was born in Trafford, PA on October 30, 1926. He was one of six children born to Enrico and Constantina Gioia who immigrated from Italy to the United States in search of a better life for their family. Although there wasn’t much space in the small two-bedroom home where he grew up, there was an abundance of love. After serving in the Army for two years, he was able to attend and graduate from the University of Pittsburg using the GI Bill. He was the first and only of his siblings to attend college. He began his long and illustrious career in public relations and communications as a newspaperman with the New Kensington Dispatch. He developed a reputation as being persistent but fair in covering a story, and seldom off base in his judgment. In 1961 he joined Gulf Oil Corporation where he enjoyed a very successful 27-year career that included the positions of Vice President of Public Affairs for Gulf Refining and Marketing Company and Vice President of Gulf Energy & Environmental Systems Company.

Al was a connoisseur of the finer things in life - the opera, symphony, theater, good food and great wine. He was an extraordinarily good cook who could whip up a very complicated recipe with the skill of a master chef. He and his wife enjoyed golfing, traveling, music and hosting dinner parties for friends. In later years he spent many hours reading historical novels as well as the classics and dabbling in oil and water color paintings. He had a sense of humor that was both wicked as well as charming. Mr. Gioia was a “gentleman’s gentleman” who epitomized the word chivalrous. Al will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service and reception will be held on Saturday, August 6 at Rock Barn Country Club beginning at 4 pm.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Catawba Valley Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.