Vaughan soccer coach Tony Alati dies from COVID-19

April 7, 2020
Thestar.com
Amanda Persico

A 49-year-old soccer coach remembered for his passion for the community, a robust laugh and his willingness to help others is one of the latest victims of COVID-19 in York Region.

Tony Alati volunteered with the Woodbridge Strikers house league. 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 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,” Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua wrote Friday on his Twitter page.

“He will be remembered for his passion and commitment to helping others.”

Alati was well respected by his players and peers, said a post on the Woodbridge Strikers website.

“Our deepest condolences go out to his family,” the post read. “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.”

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.”

Others said 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,” Paolo Pavesi wrote from Italy.

According to York Region Public Health, a Vaughan man in his 40s died as a result of the novel coronavirus Friday.

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 Saturday, York Region’s death toll has reached 13 of the 412 confirmed cases.

Of the 13 deaths reported by the region, Alati was the youngest and the only resident to contract the virus through close contact.