Alfredo Converso

With broken hearts and boundless love, the family of Alfredo Converso announce his sudden passing on February 3, 2026, at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.Alfredo was born on April 2, 1952, to Paolo Pompeo Converso and Caterina Sbrocchi in Roseto Valfortore, Puglia, Italy.  Born two months prematurely, he had no choice but to develop stamina, determination ,and strength immediately. Those became his trademark characteristics for the rest of his life.He attended elementary school in the village until the age of 11, when he left for the Giuseppini Seminary near Naples, where he studied for three years.  Alfredo often credited the priests for instilling in him, critical thinking and a love for higher learning.But a larger horizon beckoned a 16-year-old boy and in 1969, he travelled to Canada where he began a new life in a very different world.  He lived with relatives for six years, and went to work in factories and paint shops, where he quickly learned the English language and dove into another lifelong passion, soccer.  He was small but he was fast and tenacious, and these skills brought him to a semi-professional level of play in Toronto.  Even in his early 60s, he surprised much younger players of the indoor soccer league at Kamsack with his talent.His outgoing personality and genuine love of people naturally led him to a career in real estate sales in Toronto, Collingwood, and Ottawa, where he lived with his wife, Monica Voigt.  He thrived in the energy and challenges that met him and when his marriage broke down, he turned to another area of service, volunteering, primarily with the Children’s Hospital in Ottawa.  Life changed abruptly when, following the death of his mother in 2001, he made the immediate decision to move to Italy to care for his ailing father.  That journey of love and care took the better part of three years.  Meanwhile, through astonishing coincidence and extraordinary technology, he developed a deep friendship with a woman half a world away.  He was convinced the two were meant to be a couple and never once waivered in that knowledge.In February 2004, Alfredo  arrived in Saskatchewan and began a new life as a partner, co-parent, friend, son-in-law, volunteer, businessman, and contributor to society.  He gave 100% to each and every endeavour.  He and Linda ran a successful Bed and Breakfast for 11 years and his talents both as a chef and a host garnered La Campagna being named in the top 10 B and Bs for three years.He brought his design skills to build a beautiful home for the family.   His garden grew exponentially every year, with up to 11,000 cloves of garlic planted in a single season.  He found the time to continue caring for others in the Mackenzie Society Group Home in Canora.Linda and Alfredo were married on September 3, 2010.  All along, he and Linda worked as a team in the many volunteer efforts they joined.  Most notably, he became the first Italian Doukhobor and devoted many hours in fund-raising and bread baking.  Alfredo and Linda were deeply  committed to social justice, and this joint belief provided the impetus to work for the Saskatchewan NDP.  In his spare time, he served on the Gateway Co-op Board of Directors, the Canora Arts Council, and the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Council.  He was a great lover of jazz, an enthusiastic bridge player, and a connoisseur of food and wine.  He was the consummate host, and all were welcome at his table.Family meant everything to Alfredo.  He forged meaningful relationships with Nick, Tim, Corwyn and Paige; however, nothing took precedence over his role as Nonno to Nora, Sasha, and Angus.  Every trip and visit with his grandkids were full of learning, joy, fun and love.Alfredo was all in.  Deeply rooted in the province that embraced him.  He lived  his life without apology, without regrets, and for the most part, with no dismay, except for concerns over recent international events.He entered our lives unexpectedly and he departed just as quickly, and he has bettered the lives of his family and community forever.Predeceased by his parents, Alfredo is survived by his wife, Linda;  and the family of Nick and Angus; Tim, Melissa, Nora and Sasha; Corwyn and Paige; his brother, Antonio and sister-in-law, Rosolina; with family, Nelson, Sabrina, and Abbie; as well as relatives and friends across the world.Rest in peace and power dearest one.  Until we meet again.In Alfredo's honour, a Service of Remembrance was held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 23, 2026, from Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Parish Hall, Canora, SK.  Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Veregin New Horizons Center or to the National Doukhobor Heritage Village, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Alfredo Converso.