Amedeo Alfano November 12, 1921 – March 09, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Amedeo Alfano, 97, passed away peacefully at home on March 9, 2019. The older of three children, Amedeo was born on November 12, 1921 in Ciorani, Providence of Salerno, Italy, to the late Angelina DeLuca and Gerardo Alfano. At the age of 13, Amedeo met the young lady that would later become his wife and the love of his life, Rosa Alfano.
Amedeo was a WWII veteran serving his country in North Africa. His “love” waited six years for his return from the war and they married in their hometown on February 24,1946. Soon after, they made the decision to move to America.
Rosa was born in the United States, so she returned first in November of 1947 to lay down roots for Amedeo who joined his wife in 1948. Together they started their new life and worked to build their dream of a prosperous future for their yet to be born children. Upon arrival to the US, Amedeo attended night school to learn English and to assimilate into the culture of his new world.
Amedeo proudly became a US citizen in 1951 with his wife’s sponsorship. Amedeo had a passion for woodworking and could build anything. By trade he was a cabinet maker and retired from Westfield Woodworking.
He loved working with his hands, and was always busy, whether it was building something or fixing something at home or for family and friends. Amedeo was an avid gardener – everything he planted thrived. His home showcases his gardening skills, from his large vegetable garden that fed family and friends, to his beautiful flower garden, fruit and flowering trees; the most spectacular is a wisteria tree that was given to him as a Father’s Day gift nearly 45 years ago and blooms prolifically each year.
Among his many beautiful trees, he was most proud of his 40-year old lemon tree that he planted from seed and produces beautiful lemons each year. His children and grandchildren have lemon and wisteria trees that Amedeo planted from seed. Amedeo loved music, particularly opera.
As a young man, he played the clarinet and was in a traveling band in Italy playing at festivals and parades. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His happiness was having family and friends over to his house to enjoy his wine, food, share stories and laughs.
A tradition in the Alfano household was Sunday dinners at their home. Rosa would cook her homemade spaghetti sauce and pasta and the family gathered. In later years, the Sunday dinners grew to include spouses and their children’s children.
After his wife passed away, Amedeo continued the tradition and discovered he too loved to cook. Amedeo and Rosa were inseparable, and together, by example, they taught their children the importance of unconditional love, hard work, responsibility and commitment. His teachings will continue through the lives of his grateful children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He will live forever in our hearts. Amedeo is predeceased by his wife, Rosa, who passed away in 2008 after nearly 61 years of marriage. Amedeo leaves his 3 children, Geraldine R. Manser and her husband, Richard of West Springfield, Cynthia J. Drewski and her husband, Thomas of Westfield, Anthony F. Alfano and his wife, Janice of Westfield.
He is survived by 4 grandchildren, Christy Bragg and husband, Michael Bragg of West Springfield, Nancy Blanco and her husband, Timothy of Windham, NH, Alexander Alfano and Gabriel Alfano of Westfield and his 5 great grandchildren, Jackson Timothy Blanco, Alex Richard Blanco, Maxwell Amedeo Blanco, Tyler Joseph Blanco of Windham, NH and Angelina Rose Bragg of West Springfield. He also leaves behind his sister, Italia Grimaldi, of West Springfield and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Rosa Alfano-Sessa of Ciorani, Province of Salerno, Italy.
Amedeo’s family thanks the medical staff and care team of Baystate Medical Center Heart & Vascular who saved his life 3 years ago, particularly, Dr. Ari Kugelmass, Dr. Ronald Gross and Dr. Andy Doben. On behalf of Amedeo, the family extends its heartfelt gratitude to his caregivers – Bonnie, Carolyn, Cindy, Dianne, Jeanne, June, Kayln and Sue. These wonderful caregivers all treated Amedeo like family showing him much love, compassion, dignity and respect.
Visiting hours for Amedeo will be on Wednesday, March 13, from 4:00 pm–6:00 pm at Curran-Jones Funeral Home, 109 Main Street, West Springfield. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 14 at 8:30 am at Curran-Jones Funeral Home with Mass at 9:30 am at St. Thomas Church, Westfield Street, West Springfield with burial following at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Westfield, MA.
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