I always joked about my dad looking like Fonzie on Happy Days. Once I performed a concert in Eastern Michigan where he taught at the time and did I ever get a lot of laughs when I brought that up!
Many musicians have a really hard time getting work. Thankfully, a man with his talents was in great demand. My family moved a lot as a kid because he kept getting better job offers as a music professor. If he didn't like the University, he could always pick up and leave because there were offers all over the place.
He was always concertmaster, in many symphonies. More job offers were in that area too. We were never rich, but we were very comfortable. And more importantly than money, he was always happy with what he was doing. Every summer he would take off for a few months to up state New York to fly fish.
He lived only for sixty-five years but he enjoyed his life and loved his family.
Alfio was a naturally born violinist from the moment he picked up the instrument.
A violin teacher was brought into his home to teach his older brother Louis. Alfio was considered too young at the time, but he listened attentively to the lesson. When the lesson was over, Alfio picked up the violin and played everything the teacher had shown his brother. At this point the family realized that Alfio should have lessons.
Alfio was always at the very top. He was concertmaster of every orchestra he played in - high school, college, then professional orchestras. When he auditioned for a job it was always his. He received full scholarships for all of his musical training. He had the most physical equipment for a violinist - hands that were perfectly sculpted for the instrument and an ability to relax and let the music flow.
He was truly a "Musician's Musician." His superb musicianship and physical prowess showed through his fine performances.
In spite of all of his success, he was the most modest and
considerate person I have ever known.
He was loved and admired by all of his students and colleagues.
