Massacre in Casteldaccia, Alcamo mourns Epifanio Alsazia: the first of five workers dead in tank

Last Updated: May 11, 2024

Strage di Casteldaccia, Alcamo saluta Epifanio Alsazia: il primo dei cinque operai morto in vasca

Family members, friends, acquaintances, civil and military authorities, fellow citizens of Alcamo and Partinico packed the Mother Church of Alcamo this morning for the final farewell to Epifanio Alsazia, a partner and co-owner of Quadrifoglio Group, who died in the workplace tragedy that occurred in Casteldaccia last Monday. The first to descend into the sewage system and the first to find death. Alsazia, 71 years old, was originally from Partinico and had been living in Alcamo for many years now.

The funeral was concelebrated, along with the archpriest Monsignor Aldo Giordano, by Father Enzo Santoro, parish priest of the Sacred Heart of Alcamo in whose neighborhood the Alsazia family resides, Father Enzo Lo Sardo, parish priest of the Holy Souls (where the funeral of the other victim from Alcamo, Roberto Raneri, is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the Salesian Oratory), and Father Francesco Paolo Biondolillo, one of the founders of a well-known non-profit association, Casa del Sorriso, for which many participants in the funeral rite have made donations. Moments of excruciating pain for Alsazia’s family: his widow Rosetta Trovato, his two children Salvatore and Daniela, his grandchildren. Salvatore Alsazia is a carabinieri officer serving in Partinico: alongside him, many colleagues, including the highest provincial and regional authorities, have come to Alcamo to attend the funeral. Also present were municipal administrators from Alcamo, Partinico, and Castellammare del Golfo.

Daniela, an active worker in the social sector, collaborates with the Alcamo pro loco. Mrs. Rosetta is, among other things, an animator in the church of the Sacred Heart, whose parish priest Father Enzo Santoro appeared visibly moved during his homily. Epifanio, known as Fanino, Alsazia is remembered as a great worker, someone who never left the workers despite his 71 years, as relatives and friends of the businessman emphasized. “Epifanio was a gift from God. A wonderful person, with deep humanity. A great worker, a man of value. You cannot die from work to bring a piece of bread home – Father Enzo Santoro said during the homily -. The words of the Lord will guide us in these difficult moments. Because for us it is closeness and new hope. And for those who have faith, there is always a new life when earthly life ends.”

Also present at the ceremony were the mayor of Alcamo Domenico Surdi and the mayor of Castellammare del Golfo Giuseppe Fausto. Mayor Surdi proclaimed citywide mourning for today and next Monday, flying the flags at half-mast on the facade of the Town Hall as a sign of mourning for Epifanio Alsazia and Roberto Raneri. Raneri’s funeral will take place next Monday at 4 p.m., also in Alcamo, in the courtyard of the Salesian oratory located in the Holy Souls parish.