Obituary of Albert (Al) John MAIANI, CA, FCCHSE

Husband, Father, beloved Nonno. World Traveller. Community Builder. Hospital Administrator

Al Maiani, beloved husband of Marilyn Maiani of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at the age of 86 years.

Born Alberto Giovanni to Italian immigrant parents, Ulderico and Cesarina (Cima) Maiani, in Vancouver, BC, Al was the youngest child in family with seven sisters and one brother. As the baby boy, he had special status in his family and would talk about how he had many "moms" to take care of him.  Stories from his childhood included tales of family picnics at Stanley Park and Kitsilano Beach where the whole family would travel by trolley carrying big pots of spaghetti and chicken. His parents instilled the value of hard work from an early age. All eleven members of the family had to contribute to survive in the small three bedroom house on Vancouver’s Prince Albert Street, especially during the war years. One of his jobs was to pick dandelions in the vacant lots around his house to feed the pet rabbits, knowing they would later feed him when they ended up on the dinner table.  Perhaps it was this struggle helped Al develop his talent for seeing humour in many of the challenges he would face throughout his life and a determination to do well.  He spoke with pride that he and his dad bought their first car, a ‘58 Chevy, together. Al cherished the moments he was able to return to Vancouver to spend time with his sisters, brother, their spouses and his many nieces and nephews.  

Al's strong work ethic drove him to rise above working poverty, and his family’s expectations of following his father and brother into the steel workers union. Instead he chose to pursue a Chartered Accountant designation, first articling in British Columbia then transferring to Edmonton, where he met Marilyn MacDonald, the love of his life. He was immediately smitten. Al and Marilyn were married on July 23, 1960 and had four children - Patrick, Brian, Janine, and Michelle.  After receiving his CA he became involved in Hospital Management working as a consultant to the Alberta Hospital Association, at the Edmonton General Hospital, and at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Medicine. In 1974, he moved the family to Calgary to take a position as Associate Executive Director of the Calgary General Hospital, eventually assuming a leadership position at the Calgary Hospital District 93, which included the Holy Cross, Colonel Belcher, and Rockyview Hospitals. Al was a member of the Canadian College of Health Leadership and Chair in 1985-86, receiving a fellowship for his contributions in 1986, and eventually earning a lifetime membership in 2006. 

Al was involved in too many committees and boards to list. Most notably, he was the founder of the Kinsmen Club of Fort Edmonton and was involved with the building of the Kinsmen Field House. The Albert Maiani Award was created in recognition of his work by the Fort Edmonton Kinsman club. In 1977, he was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal for Community service. Later, Al became a member of the K-40 club of Calgary and spent many a Stampede selling tickets to the Kinsmen dream homes and lotteries. In his retirement, Al and Marilyn volunteered with the White Hatters each Saturday at the airport. 

Al’s support to the community extended to his love of sport. He was a season ticket holder of the Calgary Flames, CFL Stampeders and an inaugural season ticket holder of the AAA Calgary Cannons. 

Through all of Al's achievements and commitments he always made time to lead the family. He had high expectations for his children. Dinner was at 6 p.m. nightly. Church every Sunday. But through his example, he imprinted an insatiable curiosity about the world around us and the people that inhabited it. A weekly grocery shopping trip was often followed by an ‘expedition’. Whereas some might make a quick trip to the office to pick up some papers, we were led into the boiler room and shown how the building was heated. Al wouldn’t only wave to the train engineer of a stopped train at the station, he would start up a conversation, and before you know it, all us kids were invited up into the cab to see the controls. He encouraged our curiosity whether at a local park, in the woods, or crawling around abandoned equipment at an old mine.  

Al loved to travel and visit new places, try new restaurants, and learn. He was a fastidious planner as such, family trips were an adventure as he would always find somewhere new to stop and explore; even on routes travelled many times before. Family trips are filled with memories of museums, lighthouses, and points of interest. He and Marilyn enjoyed many trips to Europe, Russia, Asia, and the Caribbean. He delighted in planning his next trip and recounting the details to us when he came back home. 

Al loved being a Nonno and enjoyed spending time with his grandkids in numerous different ways. He could always be found in the audience, in the stands, or in a lawn chair on the sidelines at dance recitals, baseball, soccer games and other activities cheering on his grandkids or in a chair gently feeding or rocking them when they were babes. 

Al and Marilyn had a love that endured. Marilyn was his partner, wife, and in later years, caregiver. This summer, they celebrated their 60th anniversary together. It was by her side that he was most content. 

Al had a way of lighting up a room with his smile. It is this, along with his generous heart, which his family and friends remember most fondly. His presence will be forever missed by Marilyn, their children and spouses, and by his grandchildren. 

Al is survived by his loving wife Marilyn, children, Patrick, Brian (Rose), Janine (Troy), and Michelle (Gene); grandchildren, Michael, Meghan, Kyla, Stephen, Ashlyn, Erin, Phillip,  Alex, Cristina, Sofia, Avery; and numerous extended family and friends. 

Al was predeceased by his parents, siblings, and grandchild Aidan. 

The Maiani Family would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the staff at The Foothills Medical Centre who during these trying times provided exceptional care and support. 

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Al’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. 

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes in Al’s honour may be made directly to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 15 Colonel Baker Place N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 4Z3 Telephone: (403) 261-7219.

In living memory of Al Maiani, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.