Alvin Canty

Alvin Canty, age 75, departed this life peacefully and surrounded by family on January 27, 2024, in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, leaving behind a legacy brimming with warmth and achievements.

Alvin was born October 20, 1948, to Lamar Canty and Marjorie (Reed) Canty in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a versatile athlete who excelled in track, baseball, and boxing. He attended John F. Kennedy High School, where he discovered his passion for basketball. Upon graduating high school, Alvin went on to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he majored in Elementary Education. During this time, he was a member of the Black Student Union, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and continued to do what he loved most, play basketball. In 1973, Alvin relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, embarking on a fulfilling career in Drug and Alcohol Counseling, eventually becoming the Director of the Methadone Maintenance Clinic at Discovery House prior to retiring.

Beyond his basketball prowess, Alvin will be fondly remembered for so many things. He loved reading, hosting lively domino and card game nights, and Saturday movie outings. He had a sweet tooth and followed a strict vegetarian diet. While he loved all these things, what he loved most was spending quality time with family. Alvin’s profound dedication to his family left an enduring impact on his children. He created so many cherished memories with his children; birthday celebrations, having dance sessions in the attic listening to records, a shared enthusiasm for Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers games, and Sunday brunches, just to name a few. Alvin was a natural born leader. He possessed a sharp wit and challenged others to think outside the box. He had an infectious smile that will forever be remembered by all those who knew him.

Alvin is survived by his former wife, Talisa; their five children, Taaliba (Sheldon) Hamilton, Takara, Lamar, Alvin, and Toor; two grandchildren, Yasir and Kadir; two nieces, Twanna Canty and Tyra Canty-Montgomery, four nephews in-law; Greg (Sharee) Cameron, Khyre Cameron, Freedom Cameron, and Zhyon Cameron, two aunts; Delores (Reed) Thomas and Maxine Canty, uncle; Josephus Reed, brother in-law Donald Keath, cousin who Alvin considered to be a bonus brother; Dwain (Hazel) Reed, and a host of cousins and friends so close he considered them family. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Lamar and Marjorie Canty (Cleveland, Ohio), and siblings, Mervin Canty (Cleveland, Ohio), and Linda (Canty) Keath (Cleveland, Ohio).