IN MEMORIAM – Thomas R. Alioto (1947-2016)
March 23, 2016 – It has been a pleasure and an honor to have known Thomas Raymond Alioto over the years. “Tommie”, brother of Angela, Lawrence, Joe, John and Michael, and son of Mayor Joseph L. Alioto and Angelina Genaro Alioto passed on earlier this week (please see obituary as published in the Chronicle/SF Gate below) after being suddenly diagnosed with cancer in the last two months. Tommie was a customer and longtime fan of our North Beach caffe location, and we had many conversations about the coffee business; he owned two Café Continental locations in San Francisco. Tommie also had a keen sense of humor, a jolly smile and a great appreciation for music. Over the last two months, Tommie and I had a chance to share not only San Francisco memories of our childhood and early years, along with some tunes on my accordion (and a vocal), but also many In-N-Out Double-Double hamburgers, French Fries and Vanilla Milk shakes. I will miss you a lot, Tommie, but I know I will see you “on the other side!” Rest in Peace. Fabio G. Giotta
Thomas Raymond Alioto
Thomas Raymond Alioto, born in San Francisco on February 9, 1947 to Angelina Genaro Alioto and former Mayor Joseph L. Alioto, died peacefully on March 21, 2016 in Danville,California. Thomas was recently diagnosed with cancer. Thomas’ only child, Angelyn Alioto-Ridgway, was present at the time of his passing. Angelyn is the daughter of Thomas’ former wife, Nelda Jones, and the mother of his two grandchildren, Micah Josiah Ridgway and Christian Giovanni Ridgway
Thomas attended pre-school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart. He attended grammar school from kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Vincent de Paul. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and attended St. Mary’s College.
In business, Thomas traveled to Luxembourg in the mid-1960s where he worked as a trader under the tutelage of Henry J. Leir, a European industrialist and client of Thomas’ father. There, Thomas became skillful in the arbitrage of international currencies. He was also the sole proprietor of two espresso coffee shops in San Francisco, both called “Café Continental.” One was on Bush St. and the other on Broadway St.
Thomas was a firm believer in Astrology and for many years he would meticulously prepare astrological charts for himself and his clients. And he greatly admired the French Jesuit Teihard de Chardin. He read and re-read Teihard’s scientific, philosophical and theological works.
Also present at the time of Thomas’ passing were his siblings, Lawrence E. Alioto, Joseph M. Alioto, John I. Alioto, Angela M. Alioto and Michael J. Alioto. Fabio Giotta was present as well. Fabio played some Italian songs on his accordion for Thomas’ February 9th birthday which Thomas greatly enjoyed. Thomas’ nieces, nephews and cousins of the Presti, Scarpulla and Papale families visited Thomas in Danville during his illness.
Thomas loved to make people laugh and he acquired friends wherever he went.
The visitation for Thomas Alioto will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Church at 666 Filbert Street on Monday, March 28th at10:00 a.m. with the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m.
See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=178532895#sthash.K7oRufZE.dpuf