Andrew Warde High School Family Mourns Passing of Former Teacher and Coach Al Trifone

Former Andrew Warde High School teacher and coach Alfred Trifone, 88, of Fairfield died Tuesday, November 15, 2011, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Betsy (Dare) Trifone.

"My dad began teaching and coaching at Andrew Warde in 1964," wrote son Steve Trifone, a 1976 Warde graduate who is now the director of athletics at Cheshire High School. "He was an Industrial Arts teacher and taught graphics, printing, and photography. He loved sports and coached football, indoor and outdoor track."

According to Steve Trifone, his Dad started the indoor track program and the girls track program. "He was the first advisor to the Key Club, a service organization within Warde," he added. "I believe it is still in existence. Teaching and coaching were his passion as he loved working with kids. After retirement he stayed with that passion spending quite a bit of time with his grandkids."

Al was born on July 29, 1923 in the Bronx, the son of the late Amelio and Michelina (Parolla) Trifone. Growing up in the Italian section of Harlem, Al was part of a generation that worked to support the family. After his father died at the age of five, Al built a shoe box at age 10 and shined shoes for 10 cents, turning the money over to his mother.

A veteran of World War II, Al enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained as an aviator. After being honorably discharged, he went to New York University and transferred to the University of Miami to eventually become an Industrial Arts teacher, first working at Miami Beach High School. During those years he met his wife and began to raise his family of five children in Coral Gables, Florida.

A passionate photographer, Al taught photography and viewed most of his family activities through a camera lens. After a couple retirements, Al worked at a local graphics firm and later for Home Depot.

"He stayed in contact with many of his ex-students and athletes throughout the years through that job," pointed out Steve Trifone. "After retirement he still continued to follow Warde sports, attending football contests and remaining close to the coaches and teachers he had worked with."

Besides his devoted wife, he leaves his loving children, James D. Trifone (Cindy) of Cheshire, Robert Trifone (Marjorie) of Darien, Stephen Trifone (Diane) of Cheshire, John Trifone of Frederick, MD, Nancy Trifone Ferrarese of Fairfield, and Celeste Kroll of Gainesville, FL; a brother, Frank Trifone of West Haverstraw, NY; and two sisters, Lucy Parisi of Fairfield, and Grace Atalese of Long Beach Island, NJ.