We Remember
POLACCO, Alex
May 17, 1958 — August 15, 2020
Alex Polacco, aged 62, passed away early morning on August 15, 2020, at home surrounded by his loving family (his wife, Alison, and children Micheal and Stephanie), after a courageous and hard-fought two-year battle with cancer. He was born on May 17, 1958 in Genoa, Italy to Enrico and Liliana Polacco. When he was a young child, his family immigrated to North America and settled in Vancouver, Canada where his family resides today. He is survived by his wife and children; his mother Liliana; his sister Patrizia; his sister Donna (Brad) and her children Giulia and Kai; his zoo of animals: Jack, Molly, Piper, Olive and Rupert; and many extended family, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was a devoted husband, father, son and brother who was always focused on providing the best for his family and ensuring everything was taken care of. He was the type of person who would do anything for his family and friends. Alex, ‘Al’, was blessed to have many close friends who he cared for deeply and who respected and adored him equally in return. Alex had a charismatic, larger than life and exuberant personality. He was a true extrovert who enjoyed talking with anyone, anywhere. He could never resist sharing a good pun and loved to make people laugh with his jokes and story telling. Anyone who knows Alex knows of his adoration of food– he was a true foodie at heart and was happiest when sharing delicious and decadent meals with his family and friends. He was a devoted FC Inter Milan fan; he and his fellow FC Inter friends from all around the world would connect daily to share their joy and pride for their favourite team. Alex embodied his favourite motto “just do it” in all aspects of his life from his career in commercial real estate to every hobby and activity he took part in, and all throughout his treatment. He truly inspired those around him with his bravery during his treatment; he took difficult news in stride and faced any new obstacles head-on with his strong will, determination and a thumbs up.
Thank you to the BC Cancer Agency, and special thanks goes to Dr. Sauciuc and the nursing staff, doctors and volunteers at the Kelowna General Hospital and Hospice House for all of their support for Alex and his family throughout this journey.
As per Alex’s request and the current global situation with Covid-19, there will be no formal service. In lieu of a service, Alex’s immediate family will gather for a celebration of life. Through Alex’s journey with cancer, he became very passionate and concerned about the treatment that children living with cancer had to go through. Contributions to Ronald McDonald House, rmhbc.ca, would be appreciated if you wish to donate in Alex’s honour.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
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Ronald McDonald House Link: rmhbc.ca
Condolences
We have lost a shinning star. A true friend who always went the extra mile. We will miss you dearly. Rest in piece my dearest friend. Our sincerest sympathy to the entire family. God bless. The Scaccia family.
Alex was one of the good guys. He loved his family and he radiated an aura of peace and good will that was contagious. Alex will be greatly missed. Our deepest love, prayers and thoughts go out to his entire family.
We are two of Alex’s “newer” friends. We met him several years ago and although we may have fewer memories, those memories indeed are precious to us. An amazing, loyal, caring and oh-so-funny friend. He loved his family, his work, his soccer, his menagerie of dogs and cats, and oh yes, good food, and musical movies, and, and…. We shall miss you Alex and we shall always treasure our times together..
My sincerest condolences to Alex’s family. No parent should have to lose a child and no spouses, children, siblings, family members and friends should see Alex pass so young. Alex was a Sentinel friend and skiing buddy that will be sorely missed by many. To the days of “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” in the Outpost… here’s one for you, Alex!
Alex was a special person and he is a kind and genuine good soul. During these last years he has given to all the people who loved him and who were close to him a beautiful lesson: how to carrie the cross that the Lord gives you. He did it with courage with love and with a lot of dignity. I love you and you will always be in my heart. Valentina
All IWW ( Inter World Wide) Members from Milano to LA want to remember Alex as a real blood brother and an inspiring example of courage and passion for life! He will always be with us every day in our chats and during the games of his beloved FC Internazionale! Alex as Always: Tutti per Uno e Uno per Tutti!
Your IWW friends
My two visits with Steph to Peachland were some of the most memorable days of my life, and Alex was a big part of that. I will forever remember him as the kindest and most generous host, quick to keep our glasses full of wine; the man who introduced me to my first Beyond Meat burger; a loving family man; and a storyteller for the ages. He will be sorely missed and remembered with great fondness, love, and admiration.
Dear Alison & Family;
I am so very sorry for your loss, Alex was an amazing person. Always full of laughter. I still remember when I helped him with his clown costume for our office Halloween. I will truly miss him.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and sending love.
Alex has left us but his memories will not fade easily. I’m not sure I’ve met a more positive and whole-hearted person in my time. He will be deeply missed as a co-worker and a dear brother.
I met Alex shortly after I joined Mission Group a couple of years ago and although I didn’t get to work with him by his side he was there for me virtually, assisting and guiding me through the Mission Group process. Alex had great patience and no question was “silly”! My heart goes out to all of his family and friends at this difficult time. .
I have lost a dear friend. I will always remember our great trip to Europe over 40 years ago. One of my most memorable trips of my life. Take care my dear friend and may you rest in peace. Derek and Carly
We will miss Alex dearly here at Mission Group. Alex made everyone laugh and shared so much of himself with everyone he met…his love of food, sports, real estate, and his family, and he truly inspired all of us when he took on his battle with cancer. We are so blessed and better to have known him. Sending love and condolences to all of his family at this difficult time.
I feel incredibly blessed to have had the privilege of knowing Alex. He brought light and joy to daily life. He was a true professional in every sense, but was even more impressive as a husband, father and friend. The Mission Group family will miss him dearly. Our love and prayers are with Alison and the Polacco family.
Alessandro,
You’re never gone y friend! what we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. Your passionate about life, laughs, people, Italy, food & wine all become part of us. I am blessed to have you in my life.
Alison, Micheal and Stephanie, Alex truly never leave us, his smile live on as memories that we will cherish forever.
Alex, Jen & Ayaan
I am a Mission Group employee, I did not have the opportunity to meet Alex, but by the sound of it he was a wonderful man. I am so happy he knew Jesus and will be welcomed into Heaven.
Alex was an absolute delight to be around and work alongside at Mission Group. His joyful spirit, outlook on life, and love of food and people were contagious. His ‘punny’ comments and Italian rendition of songs will be particularly missed. Many thoughts and prayers to the family.
It was a great pleasure to work with Alex over the past few years at Mission Group. He was passionate in every aspect of life. He made us laugh with his jokes and story telling. He was extremely proud of his Italian heritage and my yearly highlight was to hear him sing Happy Birthday to me in Italian! Alex will be missed! I send love and condolences to all his family at this difficult time.
Although Alex and I didn’t work on the same projects, our desks were close enough for us to share our love of the development/construction process, as well as appreciation of cars and motorcycles. My condolences go out to the family as they carry on. He is missed.
Alison, Stephanie, Michael,
My thoughts and sympathy are with you.
Alex has been such a great friend for years. His positivity and high energy impacted everyone he met; he was always an advocate for and an inspiration to his friends; he was awesome to be around!
The many memories – from working together almost twenty years ago to more recent communication – will never fade.
Alex epitomized class, courage and dignity. Too soon; too young.
When Alex walked into the office or a meeting, a smile always came onto my face. Why? He was smiling himself and it was contagious. Alex was always positive with a can-do attitude. I loved his sense of humour, his italian gregariousness and his joie de vivre. He will always be a big inspiration to me and especially so, with how he handled his diagnosis. He was gracious and in a strange way felt blessed. I am so grateful for Alex being part of my life and I will miss him terribly.
God bless you, Alex. We shall meet again someday.
So sorry to hear this. I had worked on numerous projects with Alex and he was a great person to work with. Sincere condolences to his family.
Dear Alison and Family,
I was lucky enough to have worked with Alex for several years and will always remember the passion he brought to the office along with his flair for food, fashion, and life. We shared a few glasses of wine during that time, carefully chosen by Alex. He loved his family, sports, and all things Italian. He will be sadly missed.
Dear Alison, Michael and Stephanie,
We only just learned of the passing of Alex. Please accept our most sincere condolences. Alex was very dear to us. My mom always enjoyed spending time with him. He was so attentive and kind to her as he was with anyone he came across.
Sincerely,
Jim and Anna Garnett
I just watched the 49’s beat the Seahawks today and thought of Alex today. I thought I better try and locate him and came to this web page. No doubt Alex is looking down a very happy guy today. My thoughts and prayers are with the his family.
Alex and I became the best of friends when he moved from Italy across the street into the Westview complex in North Vancouver . We spent everyday together after school and weekends playing in Griffen Park, building tunnels and forts, riding bikes, listing to Beatles albums and just hanging out. We both joined several sport teams together and we would always put on our uniforms; proudly parading around the shopping mall showing them off. We skied on Grouse Mountain after school and on the weekends till midnight, and listened to ‘American Pie’ on the lodges jukebox.. A few years later, his family moved to the British Properties and our family moved to the Capilano area. That did not stop our friendship. On the weekends we would caddy at the Vancouver Golf and Country Club, go to park royal mall, and hangout and continue to play on various soccer teams. I loved his family, Lilliana and Enrico, Patty and Donna. His mother was stunningly beautiful and was the best cook ever. I became a permanent fixture at their home every weekend and would partake in many of his families activities and outings and would tag along on road trips like visits to Vancouver Island with his Dad and sister Donna who often also had a friend in tow. How sad I was when in Highschool I found out that our family was moving Edmonton. This was devastating. Alex and I would keep keep in contact and I would see him now and then when on business in Vancouver. Time and life marched on and we lost touch. Every now and then I would check facebook, phone records etc but to no avail . Yesterday I got to talking with my wife and fond memories of Alex came up. She suggested that we try to contact him. We did and I was in total shock to learn that he had passed away. A wave of emotions and memories overwhelmed me. How truly great a friend he was! Till we meet again my old friend, till we meet again.