Alfred Louis Cordoni

CORDONI, Alfred (Al) Louis

September 18, 1936 - March 17, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Al on Sunday March 17th at the Palliative Care Unit, Burnaby Hospital, with his family by his side.  Al was predeceased by his brothers, Tony, Elmer, Dante, Peter, and Harold; sisters, Elvira, Doris, and Lydia; brothers-in-law Dezo (Zak) and Les Szakal.  He is survived by his sister Jo.

 Al will be forever cherished by Vi, his loving wife of 66 years, daughter Gina (Jean-Yves), son Chris (Nané), granddaughters Danaan (Jake) and Shanti; sister-in-law Liz (Larry) Olkovick.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, both in the Cordoni and Szakal families, who will sadly miss him.

Born in New Westminster, Al grew up in a fishing/farming family on the Fraser River near Fort Langley, the second youngest in a family of ten siblings.  When he was fifteen, he moved to Commercial Drive in Vancouver with his mother, Josephine, brother Harold, and sister Joey.  He attended Templeton Junior High and then Britannia High School.  After completing Grade 11, he left school and worked at various jobs, including on tugboats, in shipyards and junkyards, and as a laborer.  In his early twenties he became a welder and was a member of the Ironworkers Union.

As a young adult, Al was a political activist, an idealist fighting for a better world through marching, singing and through various affiliations.

In 1958 Al and Vi married.  Al finished high school through night classes and went to university to become a teacher.  Daughter Gina was born in 1962, and son Chris followed in 1964.

Al started his teaching career in Surrey in 1965, then promptly moved to Burnaby for the remainder of his career.  In 1980 he earned his Master’s of Education Degree in Counselling Psychology from U.B.C., and worked in numerous elementary schools until his retirement in 1995.

Al was always an active union member throughout his adult life, dedicating many years of service to the Burnaby Teachers’ Association, while being a strong and constant supporter of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation. 

Al was a supportive and loving husband, father, and grandfather.  His gentle, kind nature was appreciated by all who met him.  He was forever optimistic, always believing in the goodness of life.  He had a quick sense of humour and a laugh that put people at ease.  Al was a champion for equality and social justice and was a regular participant in demonstrations calling for peace, and for environmental and climate action.

Al was a soft-spoken man, yet an engaging conversationalist.  He will be remembered as a person of integrity and a force for love.  He will be deeply missed.

We want to thank the BC Cancer Agency, in particular Dr. Barb Melosky, who cared for Al for many years.

A celebration of life will be held on April 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver, B.C.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favourite charity or a cause true to your heart.  To share memories or to leave a message of condolence, go to myalternatives.ca.