Print"Alex the Barber" SCHENECTADY, N.Y. Alessandro "Alex the Barber" DiMeo, age 59, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany surrounded by his loving family and friends. Born in Ruviano, Italy, Alessandro was the son of Annunziata DiMeo of Ruviano, Italy and the late Francesco DiMeo. After graduating high school, Alessandro joined the Italian Air Force.
Once his time in the Air Force was complete, he began his trade as a barber, which he later became well known for. Alessandro came to Schenectady in 1973 with his wife, Maria (who he had courted ever since they were both teenagers) with nothing but love and a dream of a fulfilling future together. Alessandro was a talented and accomplished self-employed barber who built a thriving business, Alex's Barber Shop in Loudon-ville, N.Y. Alessandro was a hard worker who was able to build his family the house of their dreams and also was able to set money aside for his three granddaughters' future education. His proudest moment came when his three children graduated from college. Alessandro was a well-liked and well-known man whose zest for life was contagious. He would light up any room that he walked into with his wit, charm, and charisma. He was quick with a joke and always the life of the party. People always seemed to gravitate towards Alessandro, no matter where he went. He enjoyed taking vacations with his loving wife as often as he could, including ten cruises around the world and numerous trips to Italy with family and friends. He also loved going to various casinos with his wife and their many close friends. Alessandro was a member the Rotterdam Soccer Club and the Abruzzi Club where he loved playing Italian cards and bocce with his friends and he was also a member of the Rotterdam Elks Club. He mostly enjoyed spending his time with his family and friends, and especially his three precious granddaughters. He loved to fill his house with good food, friends, and plenty of lively conversations. On Alessandro's days off from work, he traveled to several local hospitals and nursing homes to cut the hair of the people who were unable to get their hair cut otherwise. In addition to his mother, Alessandro is survived by his wife of 36 years, Maria DiMeo; three children, Nancy (Allen Brandon) DiMeo of Albany, Annalisa (John) Clute of Schenectady and Francesco (Maryfrancis Keegan) DiMeo of Schenectady; three grandchildren, Alexandra and Arianna Brandon and Isabella Clute; one sister, Angelina (Gioacchino) Donato of Castel Campagnano, Italy and one brother, Mario (Fulvia) DiMeo of Ruviano, Italy; two brothers-in-law, Angelo (Marisa) Cusano of Calabria, Italy, Domenick (Olga) Cusano of Colonie; and two sisters-in-law, Josephine (Antonio) Campagnano and Luisa (Angelo) Iagrossi of Schenectady. He is also survived by many, many nieces, nephews, godchildren and many close friends. Relatives and friends may call at Demarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave. on Friday, September 18, 2009 from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will begin on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. from the funeral home followed at 9:00 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Immaculate Conception Church on Bradt Street in Schenectady. Interment will be in St. Cyril Cemetery in Rotterdam, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Albany Chapter of the Autism Society of America, 101 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 and the St. Jude Children's Hospital.
