John J. Alfieri, PhD

Alfieri, PhD, John J.
The Heritage

John J. Alfieri, Emeritus Professor of Spanish and Italian at Lawrence University, died Saturday morning, March 8, 2003, at the age of 86. He was originally from Nyack, New York. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Languages from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and a Master’s and Doctor’s Degree from the University of Iowa. He also did a year of postdoctoral study at the University of Madrid, Spain, concentrating in Medieval Spanish and Romance Linguistics. On August 20, 1960 he married Graciela Andrade. With thoughts of reviving his Italian and making it available at Lawrence University, he enrolled in summer sessions at the University of Perugia, Italy and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
With his wife, Doctor Graciela Alfieri, Lecturer in Spanish at Lawrence University, Professor Alfieri initiated a term of undergraduate study in Spain for Lawrence students. In alternate years this program has moved from Spain to Mexico and South and Central America.
In 1966, Professor Alfieri was awarded the Marie Wollpert Professorship in Modern Languages in recognition of his meritorious service to Lawrence University.
Professor Alfieri was one of the founding members of the Cervantes Society of America. He was also a member of the Modern Language Association and the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Italian.
He did research and published many articles on Benito Perez Galdos, an outstanding Spanish novelist.
He taught at Lawrence University for 28 years and retired in 1982.
He is survived by his wife, Graciela Alfieri, Appleton; four sister and a brother, all of them living in Rockland County, New York.
Funeral service for Professor Alfieri will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, March 13, 2003, at the funeral home, with Deacon Peter Reinl officiating. Entombment will be in Appleton Highland Memorial Park. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 10:00 am, Thursday, until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, there is a memorial fund for the John and Graciela Alfieri Scholarship in Spanish at Lawrence University.

The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Peabody Manor Nursing Home and especially to the staff of Pine Creek for their outstanding care of John.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com