Captain Accursio "Gus" Alba, 82, beloved husband of Francesca (Carbo) Alba of Gloucester, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, December 16th, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Sicily on March 26, 1935, son of the late Luigi and Giuseppina (Corrao) Alba. Gus started working as a young boy on the waterfront in Sicily and later came to America to pursue the American dream. He was able to establish himself on the waterfront and returned to Sicily, Italy to marry his soulmate Francesca, who he grew up next door to in Sicily. The newlyweds then returned to America to establish roots in Gloucester, where Gus raised a family and worked as a fisherman. Gus is known to many as a legendary highline Captain who always filled the vessel to the hatch with codfish. He prided himself in owning and captaining a small F/V Alba, which he later outgrew, to a large F/V Alba and the F/V Lady Francesca. He was an inspiration and mentor to many young fisherman. Gus retired at the age of 57 from the waterfront due to a terminal cancer diagnosis.Gus defied many odds and overcame numerous cancer diagnoses and survived for an additional 26 years. He found a new passion in life and lived every second, of everyday, as a giver who delivered happiness to all. There was no smile bigger and no light brighter than Gus. Many who knew Gus were impacted by his special presence and instantly became a devoted friend. He enjoyed attending concerts and watching action movies with his friends. He loved his trips to Market Basket. Many have tasted his delicious homemade bread that he baked daily. We all treasured his unique handcrafted scarves, bags, and clothing using a technique he learned as a boy to mend fishing nets. His passion for life was contagious and undeniable. He enjoyed music and dancing and would often dance throughout his day and through life's challenging moments. He was the patriarch and anchor of his family. He felt blessed to spend the last ten years of his life living with his daughter and family and being surrounded by all who loved him.
In addition to his wife Francesca of 58 years, he is survived by devoted daughters, Dianne Jackson and husband Steve, Sandra Sanfilippo and husband Capt. Ignazio "Naz"; Maria Oliver and husband Mark; grandchildren, Lauren-Marie Sclafani and husband Anthony and their children Mila and Anthony, Rachael Grossi and husband Michael and their children Ella and Connor, Gus Jackson, Jessica Rose Jackson, Capt. Joseph Sanfilippo and companion Kristina Giacalone; JuliaMia Jackson, Macaella Oliver and Macey Oliver; his sister, Rita LaRocca wife of the late Carmelo LaRocca; his brothers, Pasquale Alba husband of the late Jean Alba, Salvatore Alba, Anthony Alba and wife Olga; sister-in-law, Giovanina Alba; and many nieces, nephews and godchildren; his dear friend, Nick Tamposi and his beloved dog Miley.
He was predeceased by his brother, Giuseppe Alba.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 21st at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Extended family and friends are cordially invited to attend.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
The burial will be held at Dolliver Memorial Cemetery, Gloucester. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to: Multiple Sclerosis, c/o National MS Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or nationalmssociety.org
For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com
Born in Sicily on March 26, 1935, son of the late Luigi and Giuseppina (Corrao) Alba. Gus started working as a young boy on the waterfront in Sicily and later came to America to pursue the American dream. He was able to establish himself on the waterfront and returned to Sicily, Italy to marry his soulmate Francesca, who he grew up next door to in Sicily. The newlyweds then returned to America to establish roots in Gloucester, where Gus raised a family and worked as a fisherman. Gus is known to many as a legendary highline Captain who always filled the vessel to the hatch with codfish. He prided himself in owning and captaining a small F/V Alba, which he later outgrew, to a large F/V Alba and the F/V Lady Francesca. He was an inspiration and mentor to many young fisherman. Gus retired at the age of 57 from the waterfront due to a terminal cancer diagnosis.Gus defied many odds and overcame numerous cancer diagnoses and survived for an additional 26 years. He found a new passion in life and lived every second, of everyday, as a giver who delivered happiness to all. There was no smile bigger and no light brighter than Gus. Many who knew Gus were impacted by his special presence and instantly became a devoted friend. He enjoyed attending concerts and watching action movies with his friends. He loved his trips to Market Basket. Many have tasted his delicious homemade bread that he baked daily. We all treasured his unique handcrafted scarves, bags, and clothing using a technique he learned as a boy to mend fishing nets. His passion for life was contagious and undeniable. He enjoyed music and dancing and would often dance throughout his day and through life's challenging moments. He was the patriarch and anchor of his family. He felt blessed to spend the last ten years of his life living with his daughter and family and being surrounded by all who loved him.
In addition to his wife Francesca of 58 years, he is survived by devoted daughters, Dianne Jackson and husband Steve, Sandra Sanfilippo and husband Capt. Ignazio "Naz"; Maria Oliver and husband Mark; grandchildren, Lauren-Marie Sclafani and husband Anthony and their children Mila and Anthony, Rachael Grossi and husband Michael and their children Ella and Connor, Gus Jackson, Jessica Rose Jackson, Capt. Joseph Sanfilippo and companion Kristina Giacalone; JuliaMia Jackson, Macaella Oliver and Macey Oliver; his sister, Rita LaRocca wife of the late Carmelo LaRocca; his brothers, Pasquale Alba husband of the late Jean Alba, Salvatore Alba, Anthony Alba and wife Olga; sister-in-law, Giovanina Alba; and many nieces, nephews and godchildren; his dear friend, Nick Tamposi and his beloved dog Miley.
He was predeceased by his brother, Giuseppe Alba.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 21st at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Extended family and friends are cordially invited to attend.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
The burial will be held at Dolliver Memorial Cemetery, Gloucester. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to: Multiple Sclerosis, c/o National MS Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or nationalmssociety.org
For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com
Captain Accursio "Gus" Alba, 82, beloved husband of Francesca (Carbo) Alba of Gloucester, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, December 16th, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Sicily on March 26, 1935, son of the late Luigi and Giuseppina (Corrao) Alba. Gus started working as a young boy on the waterfront in Sicily and later came to America to pursue the American dream. He was able to establish himself on the waterfront and returned to Sicily, Italy to marry his soulmate Francesca, who he grew up next door to in Sicily. The newlyweds then returned to America to establish roots in Gloucester, where Gus raised a family and worked as a fisherman. Gus is known to many as a legendary highline Captain who always filled the vessel to the hatch with codfish. He prided himself in owning and captaining a small F/V Alba, which he later outgrew, to a large F/V Alba and the F/V Lady Francesca. He was an inspiration and mentor to many young fisherman. Gus retired at the age of 57 from the waterfront due to a terminal cancer diagnosis.Gus defied many odds and overcame numerous cancer diagnoses and survived for an additional 26 years. He found a new passion in life and lived every second, of everyday, as a giver who delivered happiness to all. There was no smile bigger and no light brighter than Gus. Many who knew Gus were impacted by his special presence and instantly became a devoted friend. He enjoyed attending concerts and watching action movies with his friends. He loved his trips to Market Basket. Many have tasted his delicious homemade bread that he baked daily. We all treasured his unique handcrafted scarves, bags, and clothing using a technique he learned as a boy to mend fishing nets. His passion for life was contagious and undeniable. He enjoyed music and dancing and would often dance throughout his day and through life's challenging moments. He was the patriarch and anchor of his family. He felt blessed to spend the last ten years of his life living with his daughter and family and being surrounded by all who loved him.
In addition to his wife Francesca of 58 years, he is survived by devoted daughters, Dianne Jackson and husband Steve, Sandra Sanfilippo and husband Capt. Ignazio "Naz"; Maria Oliver and husband Mark; grandchildren, Lauren-Marie Sclafani and husband Anthony and their children Mila and Anthony, Rachael Grossi and husband Michael and their children Ella and Connor, Gus Jackson, Jessica Rose Jackson, Capt. Joseph Sanfilippo and companion Kristina Giacalone; JuliaMia Jackson, Macaella Oliver and Macey Oliver; his sister, Rita LaRocca wife of the late Carmelo LaRocca; his brothers, Pasquale Alba husband of the late Jean Alba, Salvatore Alba, Anthony Alba and wife Olga; sister-in-law, Giovanina Alba; and many nieces, nephews and godchildren; his dear friend, Nick Tamposi and his beloved dog Miley.
He was predeceased by his brother, Giuseppe Alba.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 21st at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Extended family and friends are cordially invited to attend.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
The burial will be held at Dolliver Memorial Cemetery, Gloucester. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to: Multiple Sclerosis, c/o National MS Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or nationalmssociety.org
For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com
Born in Sicily on March 26, 1935, son of the late Luigi and Giuseppina (Corrao) Alba. Gus started working as a young boy on the waterfront in Sicily and later came to America to pursue the American dream. He was able to establish himself on the waterfront and returned to Sicily, Italy to marry his soulmate Francesca, who he grew up next door to in Sicily. The newlyweds then returned to America to establish roots in Gloucester, where Gus raised a family and worked as a fisherman. Gus is known to many as a legendary highline Captain who always filled the vessel to the hatch with codfish. He prided himself in owning and captaining a small F/V Alba, which he later outgrew, to a large F/V Alba and the F/V Lady Francesca. He was an inspiration and mentor to many young fisherman. Gus retired at the age of 57 from the waterfront due to a terminal cancer diagnosis.Gus defied many odds and overcame numerous cancer diagnoses and survived for an additional 26 years. He found a new passion in life and lived every second, of everyday, as a giver who delivered happiness to all. There was no smile bigger and no light brighter than Gus. Many who knew Gus were impacted by his special presence and instantly became a devoted friend. He enjoyed attending concerts and watching action movies with his friends. He loved his trips to Market Basket. Many have tasted his delicious homemade bread that he baked daily. We all treasured his unique handcrafted scarves, bags, and clothing using a technique he learned as a boy to mend fishing nets. His passion for life was contagious and undeniable. He enjoyed music and dancing and would often dance throughout his day and through life's challenging moments. He was the patriarch and anchor of his family. He felt blessed to spend the last ten years of his life living with his daughter and family and being surrounded by all who loved him.
In addition to his wife Francesca of 58 years, he is survived by devoted daughters, Dianne Jackson and husband Steve, Sandra Sanfilippo and husband Capt. Ignazio "Naz"; Maria Oliver and husband Mark; grandchildren, Lauren-Marie Sclafani and husband Anthony and their children Mila and Anthony, Rachael Grossi and husband Michael and their children Ella and Connor, Gus Jackson, Jessica Rose Jackson, Capt. Joseph Sanfilippo and companion Kristina Giacalone; JuliaMia Jackson, Macaella Oliver and Macey Oliver; his sister, Rita LaRocca wife of the late Carmelo LaRocca; his brothers, Pasquale Alba husband of the late Jean Alba, Salvatore Alba, Anthony Alba and wife Olga; sister-in-law, Giovanina Alba; and many nieces, nephews and godchildren; his dear friend, Nick Tamposi and his beloved dog Miley.
He was predeceased by his brother, Giuseppe Alba.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 21st at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Extended family and friends are cordially invited to attend.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
The burial will be held at Dolliver Memorial Cemetery, Gloucester. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to: Multiple Sclerosis, c/o National MS Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or nationalmssociety.org
For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com
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