Joseph Michael Alioto 59, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2011 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was at home in San Rafael surrounded by his loving family. He has joined his parents, Antoinette and Nunzio, and his sister, Michelle, and is survived by his wife of 36 years, Judy Alioto, and their four children Nunzio, Marc, Alexa, and Joey; his two siblings, Francesca Alioto, Rose Marie Violante and her husband Cosmo; his mother-in-law, Ada Barone, his sister-in-law, Sister Claire "Bonnie" Barone, his brother-in-law, Joseph Barone and his wife Maricela. Uncle Joey (also known as Uncle Magic) was blessed with the love and support of his five nieces and nephews -- Rochelle and her husband Kenneth Simurdiak, Matthew Violante, Gina and her husband Eric von Esmarch, Alessandro and Giancarlo Barone, and his five great grand nieces and nephews. Joey generously contributed his time and resources to many local civic events and causes including Fisherman's Wharf Merchant Association, Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District, JIGs (Just Italian Guys), Kevin Collins Foundation, The Olympic Club, One Child at a Time, Ronald McDonald House, Salesian Boys' & Girls' Club, St. Ignatius Booster's Club, St. Ignatius Alumni, St. Ignatius Fathers' Club, Special Olympics, Toys for Tots Foundation, and numerous local school fundraisers. He served as President of the Port Tenants Association and the Fisherman's Wharf Merchant Association. In April of 2009, he was given the esteemed honor of being named the "Man of the Year" for the Salesian Boys' & Girls' Club. He was a person of great humility who constantly showered those around him with the abounding generosity of his heart. He will always be remembered for his passion for life, his love of music -- especially opera, his sense of humor, and his generosity of heart. He considered all those close to him his "cugini" and was a tower of strength to all who knew him. Joey's second home and sense of pride, apart from his family, was Alioto's Restaurant where he was often found greeting guests at the door with his unmistakable smile and glimmer in his eye. He was a master of wit and conversation and will be deeply missed. Services will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert St. San Francisco. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in memory of Joseph Alioto to the Salesian Boys' & Girls' Club, 680 Filbert St., San Francisco, CA 94133-2805 or UCSF Department of Urologic Oncology, 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. Published in San Francisco Chronicle on March 27, 2011
Arrangements under the direction of Keaton's Mortuary, San Rafael, CA.
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