Alfredo Italo Di Lorenzo

Alfredo Italo Di Lorenzo, age 85, of Fergus Falls, passed away unexpectedly on April 24, 2017, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, having suffered a massive heart attack.

Born September 25, 1931, in Salza Irpina Avelino, Italy, he was the fifth of seven sons born to Francesco and Amelia (Galante) Di Lorenzo. He attended grade school in Marseille, France and graduated high school from Genoa Centro, Italy in 1944. Alfredo served in the Esercito Italiano (Army of the Italian Republic) from 1950-1952. A custom tailor by trade, he earned a Tailor Trade Certification in 1954 from Scuola Ruggeri in Milan. He became a proud naturalized United States citizen in 1968.

He met and married his wife of 58 years, Ernesta Caterina Teresa Giardini Di Lorenzo, in Genoa, Italy. They emigrated to Philadelphia, PA in 1961 where they were blessed with two children, Maria and Eugenio. Alfredo and Ernesta moved to Fergus Falls, MN in 1972 when Alfredo was recruited to serve as quality control manager at Rosenblatt’s, a ready-to-wear clothing manufacturer, from 1972-1980; concurrently, the couple purchased and operated Clausen’s Tailor Shop for 24 years.

Alfredo is preceded in death by his parents Francesco and Amelia; brothers Eugenio, Giovanni, Giuseppe, and Roberto; and one grandson Michael Irwin. He is survived by brothers Alfonso and Guido of Genoa, Italy; wife Ernesta; daughter Maria Irwin (Timothy) of New Orleans, LA; son Eugenio Di Lorenzo (Loralee) of Marine on St. Croix, MN; grandchildren Amelia Goding (Kevin) of Bloomington, MN; Gabriella Irwin of New Orleans, LA; Pietro Di Lorenzo of Chicago, IL; Giulia Irwin of Minneapolis, MN; Antonina Irwin of New Orleans, LA; Lucia Di Lorenzo of St. Louis, MO; great-grandson Andrew Goding; and other nieces, nephews, and sisters-in-law in Europe.

Alfredo could often be found swimming at the YMCA, tending to his vegetable garden, chopping wood, visiting with his family and friends, and discussing travel, history, philosophy, and politics over a glass of wine. A man devoted to his wife and family, and always tried to do the right thing. Our memories of him provide us with a reminder to carry on with a lively sense of humor.

He will be remembered and missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Clergy: Fr. Alan Wielinski, Fr. Bill Gamber, Fr. Timothy Wenzel, and Deacon Chuck Kampa
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls

Online condolences may be left at www.olsonfuneralhome.com .