Coronavirus tragedy hits close to home as Woodbridge soccer coach dies from COVID-19
Woodbridge resident Tony Alati, youngest person to die in York Region from coronavirus
Yorkregion.com
April 6, 2020
Amanda Persico
According to the Woodbridge Soccer Club, Tony Alati, 49, is the latest coronavirus victim in the region.
Alati is remembered by many for his passion for the community, robust laugh and willingness to help.
The soccer coach was in his late 40s and volunteered with the Woodbridge Strikers house league and was well respected by his players and peers, as posted on its website.
The club stressed the importance of physical distancing and how serious this pandemic is.
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family. But most importantly, to remind people how serious this pandemic is and to stay home as Tony would have wanted. He will be missed by many.”
Along with volunteering with the soccer club, the Vaughan resident was also closely tied to the Carrying Place Ratepayers Association, fighting to preserve the natural environment in the Woodbridge area. Alati was also a vocal citizen at Vaughan City Hall, fighting against condo developments in the Woodbridge area.
“Vaughan mourns the loss of Tony Alati, a family man and dedicated resident to our community,” writes mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua on his Twitter page. “He will be remembered for his passion and commitment to helping others.”
Outpouring of sympathy and support for the Alati family is scrawled all over social media.
“Today, I lost a friend,” writes Elvira Caria. “I am devastated. And am now going into my bunker. And I will be coming out when it’s safe to do so. But I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”
Alati will be remembered as a gentleman and true gem of the community.
“There should be a community leadership award in his name (given) to people who exemplify everything Tony stood for and committed to in our city,” posted a message from the GTA Hockey Club.
“Tony is remembered as a fun guy with a robust laugh, down to earth and willing to move mountains to help when help was needed,” posted Mary Bringham.
Alati was also a loyal and passionate member of the Scuderia Ferrari Club of Toronto -- one of hundreds of sanctioned Ferrari fan clubs around the world.
“Tony was one of the most loyal Scuderia Ferrari Club Toronto members and an honourable Ferrari fan,” said Toronto club president Antonio Folino.
Hundreds of Ferrari fans from across the world extended condolences to Alati’s immediate family and his extended Ferrari family.
“In this difficult moment, the whole Scuderia Ferrari Club is shaking with pain,” writes Paolo Pavesi from Italy.
According to York Region Public Health, a Vaughan man in his 40s died as a result of the novel coronavirus on April 3. While the region does not list each COVID-19 victim by name, the Vaughan death is listed as having contracted the virus through close contact from providing care for someone who tested positive, living with a case or having prolonged contact with a someone who tested positive.
As of April 4, York Region’s death toll has reached 13 of the 412 confirmed cases.
Of the 13 deaths reported by the region, the Vaughan resident was the youngest and was the only other resident to contract the virus through close contact.
