Joseph Victor Alfano was born Sept. 22, 1942, in Pittston, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Angelo Alfano and Josephine Madelena Barberis.
He had one brother (Phil), and the family s princess was his little sister (Marie). Joe loved calling his sister Marie daily, and they often talked about the good olâ days. Joe always ended those phone calls with âLove you madly. Ciao! Ciao!â
He was preceded in death by his parents (Joe and Josie), Nona, and Uncle Mondo.
At age 3, he and his family moved to sunny California. He was born with a talent for music. His parents nurtured that love of music by buying him his first saxophone and upright string bass (which he still owned and played). He earned a masterâs in music from San Jose State University. He taught instrumental music classes to a range of students from young kindergarteners to college undergraduates.