Obituary of Alfred Wayne DiGrazia

Alfred Wayne DiGrazia II, (“Alley”), 45, passed away suddenly on February 16, 2016. He was born on July 22, 1970 to Maureen O’Shaughnessy and Alfred Wayne DiGrazia in Staten Island, New York. Born with the heart of an angel and the devil’s sense of humor, Al left a lasting mark on everyone he came in contact with. He was many things to many people throughout his life - cherished son, big brother, cool cousin, stubborn stepson, sweet nephew, pain in the derriere, best friend, and bad-ass artist. Al spent his childhood years in Brooklyn and Staten Island before moving to Pittsburgh with his beloved mother and stepfather Louis Briskman in 1986. There he attended Mount Lebanon High School, where his passion for art led him to pursue classes at the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Art Institute. It was in the Steel City that he harnessed his indomitable creativity and openness of heart to pursue his artistic passions and form many lifelong friendships. While he had an innate intelligence, he often took the path less traveled and approached life with an unconventional “Alley” style. He fiercely loved his friends, family and all things art, from comic books to tattoos and metal sculpture. His tenaciousness was forged by the challenges he faced and the people who shared his burdens and his joys. His sensitive and complex nature was reflected in his own artwork. His goodness could not be hidden by his irreverence and lack of conventional filters. His journey took him back to Staten Island, NY, where he cemented his bond with his patient and always supportive family. He recently relocated to Philadelphia, PA to concentrate on his metal work, Sacred Heart Iron Works. Along the way he touched many with his ornery sweet self and larger than life personality. Whether you knew him for 20 years or only spent an hour with him, he left an impact on you. He is surely looking down upon us with a snicker saying “I am AWESOME!” He was preceded in death by his mother Maureen Briskman, and grandparents Mary and Pat O'Shaughnessy, and Florence Digrazia. He is survived by father Alfred DiGrazia and his wife Alison and their children, Dante and Colette, along with step-brothers Zane and Dash Kupper, and grandfather Alfred J. DiGrazia; Aunt Nicki Wolfersberger and family and Uncle Joseph DiGrazia and family. He also leaves to cherish his memory stepfather Louis Briskman and wife Karen; sister Megan(Tim) and brother Josh(Alex); the O’Shaughnessy Family comprised of seven uncles, five aunts and twenty three first cousins who knew and loved him deeply; the Briskman extended family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Dynamic Youth Community, a non-profit organization that helps young people with life-threatening drug dependencies and their families. (www.DYCinc.org), or if so inclined, honor Al and his artistic abilities by supporting an independent artist. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the Marine Park Funeral Home, 3024 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY. There will be ceremony and burial at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street, Westport, CT on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 11 a.m.