FUNARI, Alessandro "Alex" Age 80, of Clearwater, went home to be with the Lord June 23, 2010. Formerly of Bluefield, WV, he was born in Pocahontas, VA a small coal mining town in southwest Virginia to Allessandro and Anna Funari. He belonged to the Varsity Club & Sigma Phi Epsilon at Marshall University. As a freshman at Marshall University, Alex started on both the offense and defense where he compiled a record of 22 unassisted tackles in one game which may be a record that still stands. He was a professional driver in the transportation industry. He is predeceased by parents and brothers Angelo and Jimmy. Many thanks to the following for always being there for Alex; Pat, his loving wife; Robert Lee, his surviving brother; his children, Steve, David, and Kelly; nieces, Melissa, Theresa, and Felicia; Robert and Gail Inman, his brother and sister-in-law; Alan & Cyndi Santos, brother and sister-in-law; David Madaasz, Pastor at Crossroads Baptist Church; all the priests at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church; Sam Lazzara his long time friend; & Jack Nieporte and Pete Cupo, his breakfast buddies. Other surviving family and friends include Shalaine, Marcus, Sharon Kay, Marianne, Jimmy Lee, John Bob, sister- in-law Doris, Wanda, Helen Franz, and all of his Wednesday night poker buddies. And to the many friends and family to numerous to mention by name, we would like to thank you all for the love and support you have each given to Alex. Viewing and funeral services will be held at Crossroads Baptist Church, 2276 Curlew Road, Clearwater, FL 34686. Viewing will be held Saturday June 26th from 6-8 pm; funeral services will be held Sunday June 27th at 2 pm with a graveside service following at Sylvan Abbey Cemetery. Family and friends gathering will be sponsored by the family immediately following the graveside service at Sunset Grill located at 2328 Sunset Point Blvd., Clearwater, FL. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to be sent to Hospice.


Published in St. Petersburg Times on June 26, 2010