World War II Veteran and local artisan Alfonso "Fonzy" Famoso of Westminster Maryland passed away on Friday, January 2, 2015, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Maryland - just six short weeks shy of his 95th birthday. He lived a long and interesting life and was a man of many talents who created thousands of pieces of art and a loving legacy that will not be forgotten.
He was an Erasmus High graduate and born on February 21, 1920 in Harlem, New York as the sixth of ten children. He met his wife, Gaetana "Ida", in Prospect Park in May of 1946. The attraction was immediate, and the love enduring as they would have been married 68 years this month. Alfonso lived a colorful and complete life, fathering three children after having served our country in the army as a Medical Technician in England, France and Luxembourg from 1943-1945 in World War II.
He worked for more than 40 years in the colorization and timing of movies for several motion picture studios. He worked on such pictures as "Cleopatra" with Elizabeth Taylor, "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" with Sophia Loren and Lucille Ball's last film, "Stone Pillow"
After 47 years in the film industry, Alfonso officially retired, although rest he did not. This eternally strong American Hero started working in construction and doing the work of men 40 years his junior, but he always maintained an interest in art. He began painting in the 1950's, and ultimately perfected this craft - and many others - over the years. He carved wood furniture, rocking horses, planes, boats, gavels, handcrafted glass, and made sculptures utilizing a variety of medium. Informally known as "Fonzie's", these pieces were gifted to many ecstatic recipients; Alfonso refused to accept a penny for any of his works.
He was a participant in South Carroll High Schools' Veterans Day recognition of War Veterans for the last several years, up to and including this past November. He was featured on the cover of The Frederick News Post's "Senior" insert this past April entitled "I Just Like Creating Something", and has two videos detailing his war medals and accomplishments online.
Surviving him are his wife Ida, his son Alfonse (Merla), and daughters Christine (Steve) and Ann (William). He additionally leaves several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He leaves countless nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, 7 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Funeral Services will be private. The family intends to create an art scholarship in his name.
Burial in Garrison Veteran cemetery.
He was an Erasmus High graduate and born on February 21, 1920 in Harlem, New York as the sixth of ten children. He met his wife, Gaetana "Ida", in Prospect Park in May of 1946. The attraction was immediate, and the love enduring as they would have been married 68 years this month. Alfonso lived a colorful and complete life, fathering three children after having served our country in the army as a Medical Technician in England, France and Luxembourg from 1943-1945 in World War II.
He worked for more than 40 years in the colorization and timing of movies for several motion picture studios. He worked on such pictures as "Cleopatra" with Elizabeth Taylor, "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" with Sophia Loren and Lucille Ball's last film, "Stone Pillow"
After 47 years in the film industry, Alfonso officially retired, although rest he did not. This eternally strong American Hero started working in construction and doing the work of men 40 years his junior, but he always maintained an interest in art. He began painting in the 1950's, and ultimately perfected this craft - and many others - over the years. He carved wood furniture, rocking horses, planes, boats, gavels, handcrafted glass, and made sculptures utilizing a variety of medium. Informally known as "Fonzie's", these pieces were gifted to many ecstatic recipients; Alfonso refused to accept a penny for any of his works.
He was a participant in South Carroll High Schools' Veterans Day recognition of War Veterans for the last several years, up to and including this past November. He was featured on the cover of The Frederick News Post's "Senior" insert this past April entitled "I Just Like Creating Something", and has two videos detailing his war medals and accomplishments online.
Surviving him are his wife Ida, his son Alfonse (Merla), and daughters Christine (Steve) and Ann (William). He additionally leaves several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He leaves countless nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, 7 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Funeral Services will be private. The family intends to create an art scholarship in his name.
Burial in Garrison Veteran cemetery.
World War II Veteran and local artisan Alfonso "Fonzy" Famoso of Westminster Maryland passed away on Friday, January 2, 2015, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Maryland - just six short weeks shy of his 95th birthday. He lived a long and interesting life and was a man of many talents who created thousands of pieces of art and a loving legacy that will not be forgotten.
He was an Erasmus High graduate and born on February 21, 1920 in Harlem, New York as the sixth of ten children. He met his wife, Gaetana "Ida", in Prospect Park in May of 1946. The attraction was immediate, and the love enduring as they would have been married 68 years this month. Alfonso lived a colorful and complete life, fathering three children after having served our country in the army as a Medical Technician in England, France and Luxembourg from 1943-1945 in World War II.
He worked for more than 40 years in the colorization and timing of movies for several motion picture studios. He worked on such pictures as "Cleopatra" with Elizabeth Taylor, "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" with Sophia Loren and Lucille Ball's last film, "Stone Pillow"
After 47 years in the film industry, Alfonso officially retired, although rest he did not. This eternally strong American Hero started working in construction and doing the work of men 40 years his junior, but he always maintained an interest in art. He began painting in the 1950's, and ultimately perfected this craft - and many others - over the years. He carved wood furniture, rocking horses, planes, boats, gavels, handcrafted glass, and made sculptures utilizing a variety of medium. Informally known as "Fonzie's", these pieces were gifted to many ecstatic recipients; Alfonso refused to accept a penny for any of his works.
He was a participant in South Carroll High Schools' Veterans Day recognition of War Veterans for the last several years, up to and including this past November. He was featured on the cover of The Frederick News Post's "Senior" insert this past April entitled "I Just Like Creating Something", and has two videos detailing his war medals and accomplishments online.
Surviving him are his wife Ida, his son Alfonse (Merla), and daughters Christine (Steve) and Ann (William). He additionally leaves several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He leaves countless nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, 7 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Funeral Services will be private. The family intends to create an art scholarship in his name.
Burial in Garrison Veteran cemetery.
He was an Erasmus High graduate and born on February 21, 1920 in Harlem, New York as the sixth of ten children. He met his wife, Gaetana "Ida", in Prospect Park in May of 1946. The attraction was immediate, and the love enduring as they would have been married 68 years this month. Alfonso lived a colorful and complete life, fathering three children after having served our country in the army as a Medical Technician in England, France and Luxembourg from 1943-1945 in World War II.
He worked for more than 40 years in the colorization and timing of movies for several motion picture studios. He worked on such pictures as "Cleopatra" with Elizabeth Taylor, "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" with Sophia Loren and Lucille Ball's last film, "Stone Pillow"
After 47 years in the film industry, Alfonso officially retired, although rest he did not. This eternally strong American Hero started working in construction and doing the work of men 40 years his junior, but he always maintained an interest in art. He began painting in the 1950's, and ultimately perfected this craft - and many others - over the years. He carved wood furniture, rocking horses, planes, boats, gavels, handcrafted glass, and made sculptures utilizing a variety of medium. Informally known as "Fonzie's", these pieces were gifted to many ecstatic recipients; Alfonso refused to accept a penny for any of his works.
He was a participant in South Carroll High Schools' Veterans Day recognition of War Veterans for the last several years, up to and including this past November. He was featured on the cover of The Frederick News Post's "Senior" insert this past April entitled "I Just Like Creating Something", and has two videos detailing his war medals and accomplishments online.
Surviving him are his wife Ida, his son Alfonse (Merla), and daughters Christine (Steve) and Ann (William). He additionally leaves several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He leaves countless nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, 7 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Funeral Services will be private. The family intends to create an art scholarship in his name.
Burial in Garrison Veteran cemetery.
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