January 14, 1931 – July 12, 2023
With feelings of profound loss, but also with many beautiful memories to take us forward, we are sad to announce that on the morning of July 12, 2023, Al Cerilli passed on to his next mysterious adventure. No doubt he was greeted by Alma, the love of his life, who has likely been busy organizing a heavenly dinner for him with family who have been awaiting his arrival, followed by a few political meetings and a gathering of labour activists.
Immigrating to Canada in 1939 from Supino, Italy, at the age of eight, along with his brothers Angelo, Alfredo and Romeo, Al grew up in Hornepayne and Toronto, Ontario. He was the third of four sons of Rosa and Antonio Cerilli, who were granted permission by the Pope to flee Mussolini’s Italy on the last boat permitted to leave the country before World War II. Once in their new Canadian home, they were joined by sister Mary.
Like his grandfather and father, before him, Umberto (Al) worked for the railway in northern Ontario. First collecting and shoveling coal as a kid, then other jobs, before joining the CNR dining car crew. Al was always interested in current events and the people around him. Al recounted how he was asked to chair the political action committee of the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Employees and Other Transportation Workers (CBRE&OTW), launching his career as a union organizer, and labour leader.
By 1953, age 22, Al had been elected to the union’s Health and Welfare Committee and the powerful Grievance Committee. Being elected to both committees but especially the grievance committee, required a lot of work and tough campaigning traits that Brother Cerilli would display on many occasions over the next four decades. He was elected as local 283 Vice President and then President. In 1959, he was elected local chairman. In 1968 Al became a full-time union staff rep with Canadian Brotherhood of Railway, Transport and General Workers, moving with Alma to Winnipeg. He went on to become the Regional (West) Vice-President of the union, which amalgamated with CAW and now UNIFOR.
Not long after their move to Winnipeg Al’s older brother Angelo passed away, leaving six children. Al and Alma, at 36 years old, adopted their four nieces and two nephews. They raised them to share their ethics and passion for a more socially just and fair world and to treat everyone with kindness and respect. It was apparent in everything they did, from the many charities and causes they supported, to the smile they had for people they met in their daily travels.
Al enjoyed telling the story of meeting Alma and knowing right away he wanted to marry and share his life with her. Especially after taking her on a date to hear Tommy Douglas speak at Maple Leaf Gardens. The two began a lifelong commitment to the values and vision of the CCF; to build a world based on cooperation and equity, particularly for workers. For 64 years, Al and Alma brought out the best in each other. Alma with her Newfoundland born sense of humour and fun that permeated every part of her life and Al with his passionate and feisty nature which, to those sitting across from him at the negotiating table, sometimes hid the caring and gentleness of his heart. To this Al and Alma added a mutual love of family above all else. From their experiences growing up they both understood what it was like to persevere when life wasn’t easy. It formed the basis for so much of what they believed in and fought for.
They loved their six children, Paul (Linda), Rosie (Don), Barb (Roland), Rick (Brenda), Joanne (Daniel), Marianne (Andreas) through thick and thin. They were elated when niece Donna (Lorne) joined the family here in Winnipeg. When the grandchildren began arriving, Christine (Cameron), Avery (Keith), David (Elise), Scott (Kristen), Calvin (Marnie), Christopher, Clair (Christian), Matthew (Ava), Angela (Braeden), Michael (Danielle), Max, Sam, Mira, and then the great grandchildren Zander, Luke, Logan, Jesse, Kyle (deceased), Leo, Gia, Abe, Juliette, Freyja, Tyson, Chase, Gavin and Griffin and there was never enough film to capture and preserve the profound joy and love they saw in each of them.
Their door was always open, and their love was unconditional. Until their move to Kildonan House in 2018 they hosted family dinners every Sunday for the entire clan and anyone else that happened to show up. There was always room for one more. They worked in the kitchen, side by side, preparing amazing meals. Al always made sure everyone had a plate full before sitting down to eat. These were occasions filled with joy and laughter, great food, lively political discussions, dress-up plays from the grandchildren, off tune and loud renditions of the many happy birthdays celebrated, with sometimes real and sometimes trick birthday cakes. The life Al and Alma built together was special and our lives were blessed by the love and happiness they shared so freely and generously every day of their lives.
The Woodsworth Grace was a staple at family dinners – “what we desire for ourselves, we wish for all. To this end we take on our share in the world’s work and the world’s struggles”. Al did more than his share of the world’s work. He was an activist and could not stand by and do nothing when aware of a problem or look the other way when there was injustice. He dedicated his life to improving the lives of working people through his interest in and efforts to preserve and improve universal social programs like Medicare, private and public pensions, living wages, workplace safety, paid holidays, maternity leave, sick benefits and bereavement leave, equal pay for women. In general, the pursuit of decency and democracy in the workplace and in society.
Early in his career Al participated in strikes for the forty-hour work week and dealt with racism faced by Black porters with CN by negotiating their right to apply for any job with the company that they wanted to apply for. He fought fiercely against discriminatory hiring and workplace practices. Along with two of his union brothers, in the attic of his Toronto home, he wrote the draft collective agreement proposing hours of work for long haul sleeping and dining car work for a 40-hour work week. VIA Rail continues to use the same agreement. These experiences and those of his family dealing with the challenges of making a new life in Canada shaped him and his worldview.
Al was profoundly optimistic, and looked to the future, and understood a long time ago that jobs versus environment division was a dangerous way to view the issue of sustainability. With his leadership, the Manitoba Federation of Labour created an Environment Committee to make the case that people can and must have both good jobs and a safe environment at work and in the natural world. He became expert in areas like transportation and handling of dangerous goods, supply chain logistics, and many other issues for a sustainable economy, obtaining his Professional Logistician designation in transportation logistics and serving of the board of the Canadian Profession Logistics Institute.
After retiring at 61, he devoted 20 more years to various causes. He was as a founding member of the Workers of Tomorrow Program, for youth and students entering the workforce so they would understand their right to a safe workplace and to refuse work that was unsafe. He was also a member of the River East School Division Partnership Council on Education to Work creating a Logistic Program for high school students. He was the first Labour Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Manitoba, a founding member of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada, National President of the VIA Rail Canada Pensioners Association, President of the Manitoba Federation of Union Retirees, a member of the United Way Campaign Cabinet and served on the boards of The Woodsworth Historical Society and other groups and coalitions. He and Alma were dedicated and active members of the New Democratic Party contributing to many candidates and campaigns. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to improving the lives of others through his activism in the areas of human rights, social justice, democracy and his accomplished career as a labour leader committed to issues of equality, Al was awarded the Order of Manitoba and was a recipient of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal.
While Albert was a hot-blooded Italian in his youth, a boxer with fire in his belly that made him formidable at the negotiation table, he mellowed over the years. Remembered now as exceedingly patient and conciliatory with union members he represented, young students he taught, politicians of all stripes he lobbied and the emerging union reps, and labour activists he mentored.
Through to the end Al showed kindness and respect for the people in his life. He thanked each of his caregivers every day and every visit for their efforts to ensure he felt comfortable and cared for. The family would like to thank Homecare staff at Access River East, in particular Health Care Aids Leni, Carol, Cleo, Minerva and Elizabeth. As years passed and challenges increased, he had the good fortune to also be in the excellent care and company of Elizabeth Lewis, and more recently was assisted by Shirly and Tammy. Physiotherapist Jim Caithness helped us keep Al as independent as possible. Nurse Practitioner Shahid Shams provided excellent medical care. Wheelchair transport driver Sukhwinder Singh always safely and cheerfully took Al where he needed to go. He loved you all and we can’t thank you enough for the care and kindness you provided.
Al and Alma resisted moving from their Roselawn Bay home and neighbourhood of over 50 years, but Al grew to love his new community at Kildonan House, just blocks from the apartment we all shared in 1968. Sincere thanks to the staff at Kildonan House, especially Gemma, Maria, Samantha and Courtney. A special thank you to Adam the nurse at St Boniface hospital who was so attentive and spoke to us with familiar Newfoundland phrases, in an accent that made us smile in our grief, thinking Alma was there all along.
Cremation has already taken place; no funeral service is planned at this time. A celebration of Al’s life will be held later this year when out of town relatives will be able to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Al’s memory to the Albert and Alma Cerilli Education Scholarship at the Manitoba Federation of Labour: MFL Scholarship Fund, Manitoba Federation of Labour, 303-275 Broadway Street, Winnipeg.
https://mfl.ca/mflcerillischolarship/ E-transfer to: [email protected]