IN LOVING MEMORY OF ALVIN DAMASSIA who was 73 years old with great sadness, we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Alvin Damassia, a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who went to be with the lord.
Born March 11, 1947, in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Alvin was the son of the late Rupeltia Damassia and Rene Joseph. Alvin was predeceased by his brothers Jowell, John, and his sister Catherine, and survived by his brother Kelvin.
Alvin Damassia emigrated from Trinidad & Tobago to Toronto Canada in 1968, with the dream of a bright future. Alvin started his profession as a butcher and meat controller for Ryding Regency Meat Packers. Soon after Alvin became involved with the Union and proudly became a steward at his Local UFCW1006. Alvin was always passionately looking out for the rights of others on his job by representing them with respect and loyalty.
In 1970 Alvin Damassia married his beautiful wife Viola Damassia and had 3 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren Alvin loved life with a passion!
When Alvin was growing up, he learned to cook with his mother, he also took care of animals as a child. As Alvin grew, he started to have a passion for participating in Carnival in Trinidad.
Alvin was a compassionate man, who pursued life meticulously with detail for everything he did. He was a loving husband and father that loved to cook every meal for his family with love. In the early 70s Alvin along with other Trinidadian bandleaders participated in creating the iconic Caribana Carnival in Toronto. Alvin also created his own band for Caribana. Alvin created two Queen costumes that both placed second place throughout his Caribana designing years in the ’80s. Alvin had a special love for listening to his native Trinidadian steel pan drum music, participating in events like Caribana allowed him to express himself and brought him great joy.
Alvin enjoyed being the team leader for the Ontario card club team in the ’80s that traveled for tournaments to the USA occasionally. Alvin loved sports like football and basketball, he especially loved watching and training his son and grandson how to play hockey in the goalie position. He also enjoyed watching and attending the Raptors games in Toronto with his grandson.
In the 90’s he rekindled his passion for the love of animals by nurturing rottweilers and exotic birds from Trinidad as pets. He also enjoyed his various conversations about different cars with his grandson.
Alvin loved listening to his beautiful birds singing at home and at the bird park. In the Spring Alvin planted his prized delicious vegetables and flowers. Most of all he loved his retirement life making his loving wife, children, and grandchildren laugh and smile. He enjoyed driving his granddaughter to university on Tuesdays while listening to Soca music as well as making his secret special smoothies for her.
Alvin always said “I love life” and enjoyed every time he had with the people around him.
Alvin lives in all of us every day of our life as he has left an ever-lasting legacy that we will never forget!
We celebrate your life in the house of the lord until we meet again.
Rest in peace with God Alvin Damassia.