Mr. Robert Aliberti

Obituary

On Friday, March 14, 2025, Robert “Robbie” Aliberti died at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto. He had been living with Stage 4 colorectal cancer, which was diagnosed in earlier stages in December 2020, and underwent many treatments and surgeries that prolonged his life as much as possible. At 6:47pm, under the full moon and the night after the Blood Moon lunar eclipse, he left this Earth. With his long time interests in spirituality and astrology, it almost seems fitting that he transitioned from this life to whatever is next, in such a way as spring was rearing its head.

 

Robbie was born in Italy, and later living in Toronto, Canada took an interest in the arts. He appreciated animation and enjoyed drawing and painting in his spare time, along with fiddling original melodies on his guitar that he would write by ear and with what music notation he did know. He loved many rock and folk artists, including the Beatles, and Moody Blues. He was passionate about justice and anti-racism, often declaring himself “The Last True Hippie” when decrying how his generation had contributed to negative outcomes in the world such as climate change, police brutality and the greeds of capitalism. He was always interested in learning more, and discussing politics.

 

He worked a variety of jobs and industries over the decades, including sanitation with the City of Toronto, before going on disability and early retirement due to medical incidents he had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from. He unfortunately also developed hoarding disorder behaviour due to the traumas he experienced, something he battled with to the end. Even with everything he faced, he always tried to keep a positive attitude. In recent years when discussing his cancer, he would often tell us a joke about “Farmer Clyde” - in which the titular character survives many grueling accidents and some near death experiences, before finally asking why he must suffer. In this story, God replies “I don’t know Clyde…there’s just something about you that pisses me off”. Robbie felt similarly that the universe or whatever higher power you might believe in - “keeps trying to kill me, but I won’t let it!” and would remark this whenever he felt down in the immediate aftermath of yet another health setback. He survived so much in his 78 years, like a cat with nine lives trudging through many near death experiences.

 

Since December 2024, Robbie had been in hospital for an intestinal blockage that threatened his life again over the holidays. But he pulled through that as well, his team calling it a medical miracle due to the severity, and was doing well with a transfer to inpatient physio at Bridgepoint in January. He had just been discharged from there on March 13 before he ended up dying the very next day, which made it all the more sudden despite his ongoing illness. He had a heart attack in his apartment and was revived, before ultimately taking his final breaths at the hospital he was rushed to. All he wanted was to be back in the comfort of his home – there is some peace in knowing he got to see that wish fulfilled before he ultimately passed.

 

Robbie was predeceased by his parents Yolanda and Julio; separated wife Donna (2011); and niece Danielle (2024). He is survived by his brother Frank and sister-in-law Mariam; his sister Miria; his close friend Walt; stepdaughters Keisha and Katasha; and many nieces, nephews (and grand-nieces/nephews) including  – Louella; Debbie; Dakota; Dustin, and his wife Susie and their children Akira, Jada, and Victor; Samuel; Jesse; and extended family and friends.

 

In honour of his memory, please consider making a donation in his name to Michael Garron Hospital, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital or Doctors Without Borders. He will be missed intensely, eccentricities and all.

   

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