In his play of the same name, playwright John Guare popularized the concept of six degrees of separation — that everyone on average is six, or fewer, social connections away from each other. From the moment I first met Alessandro Baccari Jr., I discovered we shared more than a few personal connections and a love for our Italian heritage.

Spanning nearly 93 years, heart-driven by spiritual purpose, unbounded compassion, and love of God and humanity, on April 30 Baccari completed his passeggiata through life. Baccari was renowned for being a walking oral history of North Beach, where he was born and raised by northern Italian immigrants Alessandro Sr. and Aida, who once lived in a flat above Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Café.