Alessandro Speroni

Type of Donation:          organ donor

Age and Location:          Age 46 – Reggio Emilia, Italy

Donation Date:                1/03/2014

Sponsor:                              Honored by Lifesharing

ALESSANDRO’S STORY

Alessandro “Alle” Speroni was born in Reggio Emilia, in Northern Italy.  He had a beautiful life there, filled with good friends and a blossoming career.  He never dreamed of leaving his home until his childhood friend invited him to San Diego — the three-week vacation turned into a 13-year stay. San Diego’s perfect weather gave Alle the freedom to enjoy his passion for the outdoors. Surfing became his Sunday tradition. He would meet his friends in Pacific Beach to chase the waves and enjoy the sounds of the ocean, along with each other’s company.

Alle grew up working as a waiter/bartender and eventually found work in the same industry in downtown San Diego.  After a few years, he opened his own restaurant on El Cortez Hill, called “Soleluna Café” — which means “sun and moon” in Italian. This neighborhood café was well known for its food and coffee, but more than anything, people came to see Alle. His charm and witty personality drew a crowd. He could capture anyone’s attention with his smile and attentiveness — he made you feel as though you were the only person in the room. While working at his cafe, Alle met the woman who would eventually become his bride: Dana (pronounced “Donna”). She was his sun and moon and they enjoyed several happy years together.  

Alle loved life and lived it to the fullest. He had a beautiful heart that was giving and full of love. There is a reason it continued to beat even after his last breath — Alle had registered as an organ donor. His heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas saved four lives when he gave the gift of life in 2013. In honor of Alle’s final lifesaving act, Dana placed a butterfly on Lifesharing’s memorial wall with his name on it. She had a message engraved on the wings in Italian: “TVB (ti voglio bene) per sempre”. It means, “I love you forever.”

Alessandro left an imprint on all who knew him; he will always be remembered and never forgotten.