Jack Alioto

Jack Alioto

Sept. 1, 1935 - Dec. 10th, 2025

Jack Alioto lived a full and generous life, rooted in family, friendship, and joy. He worked for Safeway for over 30 years and was a proud San Franciscan, growing up on Hyde Street with his four siblings. Jack fell right in the middle of five children-two brothers, Tony and Joe, who preceded him in death, and two sisters, Nina and Marguerita. Jack cherished his siblings.

A devoted son, Jack visited with his parents, Giuseppe and Rosa, nearly every day, until their passing. He enjoyed the large Sunday gatherings with the whole family, eating the delicious dinners prepared. Family meant everything to him. That devotion continued throughout his life, continuing with Sunday and at holiday dinners at the homes of his nieces, Carol and Lisa, both of whom cherished their Sicilian heritage as deeply as he did.

Though he never had children of his own, he poured his love into his nieces and nephews, treating them as if they were his own. Generous and fun-loving, Jack believed in looking sharp- and made sure the kids did too. No Christmas ever passed without fancy dresses for the girls and suits for the boys, a tradition that brought sparkle, pride, and joy to every holiday.

Jack attended Galileo High School and San Francisco City College and made it a point to return to San Francisco often for class reunions, always cherishing his roots. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he played baseball in his younger years and remained a devoted San Francisco 49ers and Giants fan throughout his life. He collected memorabilia, watched nearly every game, and loved trips to Petco Park when the Giants were in town. Friendly, low-dollar bets-and plenty of spirited sports talk- were among his greatest pleasures.

Jack proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the SS Intrepid. He spoke fondly of his service and took great pride in those years.

In later life, Jack's love of people never faded. He enjoyed playing Bingo and was known for bringing small treats for the women he met there-something they delighted in, and brought a smile to Jack's face. Jack liked performing small acts of kindness, and many of his friends and family were on the receiving end of this.

Many of his happiest moments were shared with his dear lifelong friend, Angelo Coccalloto. Together they cruised, bowled, played cards weekly, and laughed often. Jack especially enjoyed beating "Koch" and his brother-in-law, Roger, at their regular card games. He loved spending time with Greg Sacco, with whom he enjoyed many special moments. He had a weekly lunch with his friends, whom he met while living in Glenwood Springs, a tradition they enjoyed together for the last 25 years. Jack rarely missed his morning coffee meet-ups with friends at the local Starbucks. Social, loyal, and kind, Jack was a good friend to many and truly cherished the time spent in their company. These were also the same people who kept a good eye on Jack and cared about him deeply.

Jack also had a soft spot for animals. He loved pets and always had a treat ready in his pocket for the dogs of family and friends. He had a special way of winning hearts-Not just human, but the dogs too!

For 28 years, Jack shared his life with his partner, Joyce Irving, who was family in every sense of the word. He was especially close to Joyce's granddaughter, Alex, and their bond remained strong through the years. He was proud of Alex and enjoyed speaking about her accomplishments.

Even at 90, Jack was sharp, independent, and full of life-still driving, still social, still looking great. Most people would have guessed he was ten years younger, and could not believe his age. Jack's humor, kindness, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed, but the memories he created will live on in the hearts of all who loved him.