In Loving Memory of Alan J. Vitagliano

In Loving Memory of
Alan J. Vitagliano
May 29, 1961- June 9, 2006

BUT SHALL THE ANGELS CALL FOR HIM MUCH SOONER THAN WE PLANNED,
WE'LL BRAVE THE BITTER GRIEF THAT COMES AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND.
ALWAYS, YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
YOUR LOVING MOM
Josie Vitagliano

Alan hanging out in the kitchen with mom Josie, niece Adell, and cousin Christina.

My Dearest Son, Alan

As I look up into the beautiful sky, I can only ask myself,
one more time, WHY?

Of course, people tell me it was your time, but they don't know what it's like to pretend to be fine, to live each day with the hurt and pain from deep inside you don't know where it came, they don't know how it feels to have to live without the child who had so much to give,
to go on and on and never know WHY.

I can't understand no matter how hard I try. I try to be patient and not get mad,

But of course I'll always be sad, there is such a void and emptiness inside, you can't imagine how much I've cried, and I know
if I really knew why you had to leave you still wouldn't be here, I'd still be bereaved.

YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, I LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER.
YOUR LOVING MOM

My thoughts are about you and how peaceful you must be now. I remember when you came over and sat in the back yard, and said to me "AHHH, The peaceful Lake" I know what a truly sentimental guy you are. Mothers know their sons well. And I Love you more
than words can say. You are in my heart forever and ever, and some day we will be reunited. That will be a happy, blessed day.
Rest in Peace, My son, til we meet again. Love you, Love you, Love you. Your loving Mom

Alan at the classic car show on April 9, 2006, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

These are two beautiful and loving gifts to Angel Alan from my dear friend, Carol, mom to Angel Michael.

Letter From Heaven

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Written by Ruth Ann Mahaffey
©Copyright 1998-2006

Alan clowning around with Ronald McDonald at the car show!

SO MUCH WE WANTED TO SAY TO YOU, NEVER THINKING ONE DAY YOU'D BE GONE.
OUR TIME TOGETHER WASN'T VERY LONG
SO MUCH WE WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU,
OUR TIME TOGETHER NOW LOST,
DEAREST CHILD, I FEEL SO LOST, WE HAVE THE MEMORIES WE SHARED TOGETHER, BUT IT ISN'T THE SAME.
OH, HOW WE WISH WE COULD DO IT OVER AGAIN, SO MUCH WE TAKE FOR GRANTED,
INCLUDING OUR TIME WHICH WE LIVE, SO MUCH FOR YOU WE WANTED TO GIVE,
SO MUCH WE SO EVER MISS YOU, SO MUCH WE HAVE CRIED,
SO MUCH WE FOREVER WISH, DEAREST CHILD, YOU HAD NEVER DIED.
WE LOVE YOU FOREVER,
YOUR LOVING MOM, DAD, DAVE, MARIE, AND GINA,
ADELL, AUSTIN, ANDRIA AND JOEY MISS YOU TERRIBLY. SO MUCH YOU WILL NEVER KNOW.

"HE ONLY TOOK MY HAND"

LAST NIGHT WHILE I WAS TRYING TO SLEEP,
MY SON'S VOICE, I DID HEAR.
I OPENED MY EYES AND LOOKED AROUND,
BUT HE DID NOT APPEAR
HE SAID, "MOM, YOU'VE GOT TO LISTEN,
YOU'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND,
GOD DIDN'T TAKE ME FROM YOU, MOM,
HE ONLY TOOK MY HAND.
WHEN I CALLED OUT IN PAIN THAT NIGHT,
THE INSTANT THAT I DIED,
HE REACHED DOWN AND TOOK MY HAND
AND PULLED ME TO HIS SIDE.
HE PULLED ME UP AND SAVED ME
FROM THE MISERY AND PAIN
MY BODY WAS HURT SO BADLY INSIDE,
I COULD NEVER BE THE SAME.
MY SEARCH IS REALLY OVER NOW,
I'VE FOUND HAPPINESS WITHIN.
ALL THE ANSWERS TO MY EMPTY DREAMS,
AND ALL THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.

I LOVE YOU SO AND MISS YOU SO,
AND I'LL ALWAYS BE NEARBY.
MY BODY'S GONE FOREVER
BUT MY SPIRIT WILL NEVER DIE!
AND SO YOU MUST GO ON NOW,
LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME,
JUST UNDERSTAND,
GOD DIDN'T TAKE ME FROM YOU,
HE ONLY TOOK MY HAND."

YOUR LOVING MOM, FOREVER
YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

My Dearest Son Alan:

Today is the first day of the month of your birth. You were born on May 29th, it was such a happy day for our family,
you became our number two son and now you would be a baby brother to your brother David.

How wonderful to see your shiny bright eyes and the beautiful smile on your little face. It was such a joy to have you.
You were a great little baby boy. Easy to take care of. You had a pleasing personality and you were a wonderful baby.

As you grew, you became everything a little boy would do. Play with trucks, cars and trains, You always loved doing that,
and I always bought you models to make and keep in your room.

Remember sharing your bedroom with your brother David, you were on the top bunk bed and David was on the bottom bunk bed. You both were so close to each other. It seemed where ever David went, you were right behind him. The house in Roxbury was perfect for you boys, It had that big back yard with apple trees on the side and an acre of land for you to run around in. Roads in the country to ride your bikes. Fresh air for you to breathe in. Oh, the joy to see you grow up there. The pond down the street where you and David
went ice skating in the winter months.

It still comes to my mind and it will never leave my mind. We miss you soooooooo much. You can not imagine. My love for you grows stronger every day - You are in my heart and my mind every minute of the day. My son, I will love you forever and ever.
Until I am reunited with you, I am in a lost world without you.
Love,
Mom

I miss my brother and think of him daily, I had so may many more questions and more projects to do with him. I will always miss him.

As Alan’s older brother, I always tried to look out for him as we grew up. He was such a cute little kid. When we were young and still lived in Jersey. We did so much together like brothers do; fishing, hiking, ice skating. He was a tag-along little brother but I never minded much, because he was such a good kid. It was when we moved to Arizona in 1973 though, that really brought us close together. I was 15 and he was 13 and we knew no one here so he became my best friend. I specifically remember a day when I was feeling particularly lonely and was sitting sullenly in the front yard of our little house in Scottsdale. All of a sudden I get hit with a blast of water for above. I turn around and look up and there is Alan on the roof with the garden hose from the back yard blasting me. He kept egging me on to pick up the hose in the front yard and we had a water fight for over an hour. What he did that day not only brought me out of my sadness of moving here, but cemented my relationship with him. We did so much together. We worked construction together on an off through the years and my memories of fun we had working together will never leave me. With Alan those jobs we did were less work
and more like an adventure.

Alan loved playing the drums and was an excellent rock drummer. For years during our teens we played in bands together, Alan on drums, me on the bass. We were the rhythm section, my brother and I. I remember one summer when we were in our early twenties I was working at a nightclub as a doorman and the manager ask me if I knew anyone he could hire as a bar back. Well I thought of my brother. What is funny about that is that there were all these beautiful girls who worked there and I could never get them to even acknowledge my existence, but after Alan starting working there all that changed because they would all come up to me and say “You brother is so cute and so funny!” And that’s how I remember him, my brother Alan was always the life of the party. He was great at making people laugh. For many years Alan was also my training partner at Thorbecke’s Gym. He was proud to be a member of that brotherhood with me
and that made us brothers twice over.

Alan was always the mechanical genius of the family. Even when he was a toddler he would look under his toy trucks and taking them apart to see what made them go. He loved creating art with his hands. Al was never afraid to dive into anything, and he was meticulous in his work. His Camaro, his pride and joy, is proof of that. When ever I had trouble with something whether it was a car, motorcycle, home improvement project, I always called him first to help me and he was always willing. And it is in that area of Alan’s expertise that I received my greatest gift from him. One day when I called him for help he said I’ll come over and I’ll tell you what to do, but you’re doing the work. And with that he taught me not to be afraid of taking things apart and at least trying things on my own. With the confidence in the skills
he taught me I was able to build a car over the last three years, but not without much help and advice from Alan.

I could say so much more about my brother, our times, our relationship, and what kind of man he was, but if you knew him, you already know. My main point in my short tribute is this. My brother Alan was a good, kind fun loving guy who always to tried help everyone in his life and asked almost nothing in return. I will miss my brother more than I could ever say in words; however, I am a better man for having had the privilege of being his brother. Alan’s legacy to me will be that I will be a better man every day, and I will do things right. I will be kinder, I will be more tolerant, I will have the patience with others that Alan had for me. I will live everyday to its fullest and I will enjoy the beauty in this life and through it all I will always remember our good times together and smile when I think of him.

After who have watched me sail away
Will miss my craft from the busy day
Friendly barks that were anchored near
In silent sorrow will shed a tear
But I shall have peacefully furled my sail
In moorings sheltered from the storm and gale
And will greet the ones who have gone before
On that unknown sea to that unknown shore
David Vitagliano

Alan looks gorgeous in Christina's Easter bonnet.

We are missing you today and everyday that follows we pray for you everyday no one could ever replace you
in our hearts and in our mind!
~ gina vitagliano

Just thinking of you today. I have so many memories of you. Thank you for the visit and the confirmation that your spirit lives on...
I'm sure you are very busy up there, as I believe God must have needed you on a special task force-or for something mega important-
to have taken you from us so soon.
But please also watch over all of us, and be with us when you can.
YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
We love & miss you with all our might! Keep up the visits, we need them...
We miss you and think of you each and every day! Our Angel Alan...
for Mom & Dad, and ALL of us who know and love Alan, we have confirmation that he is with us and will help comfort us.
His love is so strong he came thru...

MY ANGEL IN THE SKY

My angel in the sky,
who comes to me in dreams at night.
You left me without a single word,
but when I close my eyes,
your voice is heard.
Telling me you'll be alright,
that you're not scared,
you're in the light.

And now whenever I need you near,
I close my eyes and you appear.
He's my angel in the sky,
who comes to me in dreams at night.
To let me know that he's alright,
he's with God,
he's in the light.

Marie Vitagliano, Alan's sister

Waiting for Easter dinner at Hotel Vitagliano (2005).

The news of Al's passing shocked and saddened me. Al had a wonderful soul and light which was taken from us who knew him far too soon. Al and Lora are great people who always helped people.I am happy to have considered them our friends. The memories I have of Al will help my husband and I through our grief. Sharing them with Lora has helped too. Al was a wonderfully special beautiful human being. I thank his parents and his family for bringing such a beautiful person up in this world that we have had the pleasure of sharing in his life and sadly death. I loved Al. He was like a teddy bear you just wanted to hug on. I will always think of him with a smile on my face, because whenever I saw him he put a smile on my face.I will remember that unique humor of his and his quick wit. That was my favorite quality in Al, was his ability to make me laugh. Telling a story or making an observation. Even when he wasn't trying to be funny he was making us laugh. He was a good friend to my husband and I. Our cats liked Al too, they always got good pets from him. I miss him so much. Losing such a special person makes you sit up and take notice. We do not know how much time we have left on this journey called life. It can all be taken away from us far too soon. Hold your friends and family close. Tell them you love them at every opportunity. And most of all do what makes you happy. May God Bless the family of Al Vitagliano. My heart breaks for you losing your son, your brother, your nephew, your uncle, your cousin and your brother-in-law. My heart breaks for me that I have lost my friend Al. I will always remember you.
I love you.
~ Francesca A.Munn

Alan, you were my cousin, my friend, my partner, words cannot explain what you meant to me. you took care of everyone when you where here, and now the lord needs you to take care of people up in heaven. I will always miss and LOVE you.
tell grandma and grandpa and uncle mario i LOVE and miss them also.
~ Dino Vitagliano

I find myself with so many memories of you, Alan, many have been buried for years. I spent so much time with you growing up I do not think I really ever realized the impact you made on my life. You were always there always a friend to me. You help to guide me through those difficult younger years and I was so blessed you were there with me to pick me up when I fell. I want you to know that I love you dearly and I am missing you. I find myself saying "why did I not call you, why did I not try to stay closer" I will never know the answer but I do know that in your passing you have taught me yet another lesson and that is to not put off until tomorrow what is in your heart today. Relationships/people are important and we all need to stay close.
I will miss you until I see you at heavens gates.
All my love to you Alan,
Linda Hinrichs

Alan and his brother Dave were my best friends growing up in Tempe. His family was a big part of my life growing up here. Being with them was like being with my own family. We lost touch over the years but this news hit me hard and the feeling of his loss is immeasurable. I know his family is devastated
and so my love and thoughts are with them.
~ Mike Carro

Those who knew my cousin Alan well loved and appreciated all of his wonderful and rare qualities. His creative talents were immeasurable -- musical, mechanical, and artistic. His drums, his trains, and his cars were his lifelong hobbies about which he was passionate in his own quiet way. He was a true perfectionist and "Master Craftsman." His mother, my Aunt Josie, always said "The engine of Alan's car is so clean you can eat off of it." (That classic Camaro that Alan lovingly rebuilt was so amazing that it made the cover of Hot Rod magazine.) He had all his tools and equipment neatly in order; he knew just where everything was in Lora's garage, which was his workshop of many years. Alan was blessed with amazing intelligence, common sense, and a quick and analytical mind, but he never flaunted these gifts or acted like he was better than anyone else. Although he liked to portray the image of "Big Al," a tough guy, he was also an unusually sensitive, caring, and sincere person. He was a man of relatively few words, but his exceptional sense of humor presented itself at the most unexpected times. He made everyone crack up laughing at his famous one-liners. He even had the ability to repeat one single word and make it sound funny. (I remember Alan's repeated use of the word "Eat-ster!" two Easters ago, which was his acknowledgement of the abundance of food his Italian family was famous for at holiday celebrations and other family get-togethers where the gracious Vitagliano tradition is "The More the Merrier," which pertains to the number of people as well as the amount of food). Alan's timing was impeccable; he always seemed to know when a little humor could lighten a mood. As our other cousin Eddie always said, Alan could have been a commedian. And although he could be a "wild and crazy guy," he was always an honest, down-to-earth, and truly decent person who was willing to help others or give comfort and support when he could. These traits originated from the loving family which shaped him into the great man he was. Alan lived his life without artifice or greed; he was truly a "good person." His life is an inspiration to us all. We must try to replace our overwhelming grief over his untimely passing with our happy memories of him. We reflect upon him with love and admiration, and he will remain alive always in our hearts. We envision a day when we will meet him again in eternal paradise,
where there is no sadness or pain.
~ Francine Chillemi Kurtz

Alan and friends at a Packers fan's house enjoying the Vikings/Packers game. Packers won, but Alan always favored the Vikings.
He loved the Vikings since he was a teenager and even had a little helmet that his uncle bought him when he was little.

QUOTE FROM DAVE MUNN TO MARIE VITAGLIANO;
"I REALLY LOVED YOUR BROTHER ALAN, HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND, HE REPAIRED MY FRONT DOOR WHEN THE PARAMEDICS AND POLICE KICKED IT IN WHEN I HAD A SEIZURE ON THE TELEPHONE, AND HE REPLACED MY WATER HEATER WHEN IT WENT OUT. HIS DEATH WAS A SHOCK TO BOTH MY WIFE AND I, SHE IS SO GLAD SHE GAVE HIM A BIG HUG WHEN HE LEFT LAST TIME HE CAME OVER. I WILL MISS HIM AND THINK ABOUT HIM FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW TRACY HAD PLANS FOR ALAN TO PLAY THE DRUMS FOR HIS BAND. I AM GLAD WE GOT TOGETHER AT LEAST ONCE AND JAMMED DOWN IN THE BASEMENT OVER AT LORA'S! TRACY THOUGHT HE WAS QUITE THE DRUMMER AND A VERY FINE HUMAN BEING. HE TOLD ME HE CRIED WHEN HE HEARD THE NEWS, SUCH A FINE YOUNG MAN WHO WAS TRACY'S AGE TAKEN FROM US ALL TO SOON,MY WIFE AGREES ALAN WILL HAVE THOSE GATES POLISHED AND PERFECT WHEN WE ALL ARRIVE.
HE WAS A VERY SPECIAL MAN."

ALAN,YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN A NICER MAN OR A BETTER FRIEND I HAVE NEVER KNOWN! I WILL MISS YOU AND YOUR WAY OF LIFE, CARS WERE ONLY ONE OF YOUR MANY DIFFERENT ABILITY'S A SMARTER MAN I WILL NEVER KNOW! YOUR NOW A TRUE ANGEL JUST LIKE YOU WERE HERE BUT WITH THE POWER OF GOD MAKING YOU AN EVEN BETTER PERSON.I MISS YOU AND HOPE TO ONE DAY SEE YOU AGAIN, REST IN PEACE YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND I HOPE YOUR ON TOP OF THE WORLD,
GOODBYE MY FRIEND! DAVID G. MUNN.

I often think about all the good times when we all lived in the same neighborhood and were raising our families. I have such fond memories of Alan and so do my sons, Tommy and Chris. They often mention him and remember the loving and caring person he was, and we're all sorry that he had to leave us so soon. We look forward to seeing you and Joe When we come to visit Chris. I just want you to know that I'll be here for you always, whenever you have the need to talk and to share memories of Alan. I truly believe in my heart that Alan is with the good Lord and he has found peace and comfort in the arms of the Lord. God bless you and comfort all of you. I love you very much and you will always be one of my dearest friends.
~ Fil Emanuel

Thank you very much to Fil's friend Ann, Laura's mom, for helping so much to get this web page together
and for framing Alan's photos. This page couldn't have been done without you!

In Loving Memory of Laura Ann Kimble

If I should die and leave you
Be not like others, quick undone
Who keep long vigil by the silent dust and weep.

For my sake turn to life and smile
Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to comfort weaker souls than thee.
Complete these unfinished tasks of mine
And I perchance may therein comfort thee.
~ Thomas Gray

Frame created by Marvaline
Recreated and modified by Lily

With love for your beloved son Alan
God Bless
Ann, Laurasmom

WE'RE ALIKE, YOU AND I

WE'RE ALIKE, YOU AND I
We've never met.
Our faces would be those of strangers if we met, we would barely perceive the other's presence if we passed on our walk
through the mists. We're unknown to each other until the terrible words have been spoken:

"MY CHILD...DIED"
We're alike, you and I.
We measure time in seconds and eternities. We try to go forward to yesterday. Tomorrows are for whole people,
and we are incomplete now. The tears, after a time, turn inward to become invisible to all save you and me. Our souls are rumpled
from wrestling with demons and doubts and unanswerable prayers.

"GIVE ME BACK MY CHILD"
We're alike, you and I.
The tears that run down your face are my tears and the wound in your souls is my pain too. We need time, but time is our enemy,
for it carries us farther and farther from our lost child.
And we cry out:

"HELP ME."
We're alike you and I.
And we need each other. Don't turn away, but give my your hand for a time we can cease to be stranger's and become what we truly are, a family, closer than blood, united by a bond that was forced upon us...but a bond that can make us stronger, still wounded, to be sure,
but stronger for our sorrows are shared.

"WE NEED NOT WALK ALONE."
by Judy Dickey, TCF, Greenwood, Indiana

To Josie and ANGEL ALAN

Time keeps passing by
But you are still here with me
In my Thoughts and Heart always
Where else would you be

I have not left you Mom
I am just away for a while
Until we are together again
It is then I will see your smile

I know you haven't left me Son
You are just beyond the Crest
It is so good to know in my Heart
GOD only takes the Best

Written By Sue-Anne Aguilera~~~Lee'sMom
WITH MY DEEPEST LOVE JOSIE