A beloved professor and scholar of Italian literature, Alfonso Procaccini has inspired and captivated generations of students, friends and family with his erudition and insight. He died peacefully at his home on Friday, December 16, in the loving care of his wife Arianne Vuono. A gifted thinker and celebrated orator, his intelligence and wit were matched only by his tremendous generosity and contagious warmth.
[BornJanuary11945inthehilltophamletofPetranerodelMoliseItalyAlfonsoemigratedtotheUnitedStatesattheageof10aboardtheUSSConstitutionThefamilyofAngeloandErmelina’sparentsandItalo’sbrothersettledinKingstonwhereAlfonso’sloveoflearningandtieswiththeItaliancommunitywerefirmlyrootedHereceivedaPhDinItalianLiteraturefromJohnsHopkinsUniversityin1975andafterteachingatYaleUniversityheenrolledintheItalianLanguageDepartmentatSmithCollegewherehewasapillarofthecampuscommunityfor37yearsAlfonsotaughtcoursesinmanysubjectsincludingDante’sDivineComedyBoccaccioandMachiavelliuntilhisretirementin2018HeraisedthreechildreninthelanguageandtraditionsofhisItalianheritageandintroducedcountlessstudentstothejoysofthatculture[1945年1月1日、イタリアのペトラネロデルモリーゼの丘の上の集落で生まれたアルフォンソは、10歳のときにUSSコンスティテューション号に乗って米国に移住しました。アンジェロとエルメリナの両親とイタロの兄弟の家族は、アルフォンソの学習への愛情とイタリア人コミュニティとの絆がしっかりと根付いたキングストンに定住しました。1975年にジョンズホプキンス大学でイタリア文学の博士号を取得し、イェール大学で教鞭をとった後、スミスカレッジのイタリア語学科に入学し、37年間キャンパスコミュニティの柱を務めました。アルフォンソは、2018年に退職するまで、ダンテの『神曲』、ボカッチョ、マキャヴェッリなど、多くの科目のコースを教えました。彼は3人の子供をイタリアの遺産の言語と伝統で育て、数え切れないほどの学生にその文化の楽しさを紹介しました。
Alfonso was a late Renaissance man. He enjoyed physical and intellectual exploration, gardening, cooking, painting landscapes and still lifes, translating Dante’s, listening to music, and the Passeggiata. He read extensively and cultivated the art of conversation. An incomparable host, he regularly entertained his friends and colleagues with delicious regional cuisine, tales of adventure and the occasional accordion of his concerts. Of all these interests, none made him happier than spending time with his family. He was devoted to his best friends, his parents, wife, and children, and he loved his grandchildren, his pride and joy. I was able to offer the wisest advice in the form of homely folktales. His words will live on in our hearts forever.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ariane, children Piero, Pia (and husband Stan), Francesca (and husband Mark), grandchildren Eliza, Braden, and Aria, brother Italo, and cousin Robert (and wife). Laura). ) and Mariella, his sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, everyone he loved.
Wakes will be held at Mother Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton on Wednesday, December 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and on Thursday, December 28, at 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. A service is held at a St. Paul’s Church. 29:00 The 10:00 Mass will be live streamed at stpaulsofprinceton.org. In lieu of flowers, the bereaved family will make a memento donation to the Alfonso His Procaccini Professor Fund, established in his honor to assist students studying in the Florence Junior Year Allotment Program at Smith College. I’m looking for The address of the fund is Smith College Gift Accounting, 76 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01063.
