Obituary of Albert "Bert" Bertosa

BERTOSA, Albert "Bert" Passed away peacefully and while surrounded by his wife Carol and his family, on November 19th at the St. Catharines General Hospital-NHS at the age of 81. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 18 years Carol, and cherished son Brian and daughter Lisa (Zlatko) Radovanovic. Much loved grandpa of Diana, Michael, Juliana, Marina and Sophia. Predeceased by his late wife Ann Urias. Born on November 6, 1930 near Rovinj, Istria, Croatia, Albert survived Nazi occupation and Tito's postwar anti-guerrilla campaigns as a JNA conscript. After escaping communist Yugoslavia and spending time in an Austrian displaced persons' camp, Albert emigrated to Canada in 1957. At first involved in railway construction in northern Ontario, Albert, like so many others from Eastern Europe, soon moved to Val d'Or, Quebec, to work in gold mining, notably at the Bourlamaque Mine. Albert moved to St. Catharines in 1965 and embarked on a wide-ranging construction career involving major projects across southern Ontario, including the Clarke Institute, the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, and the Welland Canal tunnels. As business manager for Local 837 of the Labourers' International Union of North America, Albert became the public face of the union in the Niagara area during the 1970's and 80's , working many long hours to arrange meaningful employment for numerous grateful individuals, many of whom would come to his home on Manor Road in St. Catharines to thank him personally. Albert's retirement was occupied with the favourite pastimes of any good Istrian: bocce, card-playing, and above all gardening. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines. In keeping with his wishes, a private burial has taken place in Victoria Lawn Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations to the Alzheimers Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.