Richard Anthony Alto Sr.

1932 - 2011

YARMOUTH PORT, Mass. - Dick Alto, an educator who mixed humor with traditional family values, enriching the lives of countless young people as a high school administrator, died Monday, November 14, 2011. He was 79.

Mr. Alto devoted his life to family, faith, his country and his community.

A Korean War era veteran of the U.S. Army and an appointee to President Nixon's National Drug Commission, Mr. Alto successfully helped establish anti-drug education programs and policies nationwide. He was quoted as saying "if you want a good education, you've got to work – and work hard."

Mr. Alto's hard work is best reflected in his service to his Catholic faith. Most recently, he served the St. Pius X community as an Extraordinary Minister, lector, and communicant. He was a dedicated volunteer with the church Men's Club, Knights of Columbus as well as a tutor for young people at Champ House in Hyannis, Mass. He also served on Yarmouth's Handicapped Commission, the Ataxia Support Group and volunteered with the Yarmouth Police Department.

Dick is survived by the love of his life Gail Madelynn (Healey), to whom he was married for over 55 years. He also leaves behind his seven monuments – his children; Patricia, Richard Jr., the late Robert, Marybeth, Carole, Christopher, Peter, as well as his eleven grandchildren; Robert, Katharine, and Molly Cournoyer; Ryan and Kelly Alto; Sydney Alto; Bryn and Mason Carroll; Hope, Adam and Phoebe Alto.

The funeral Mass will be held Saturday, November 19, at 10 a.m., in Our Lady of the Highway Chapel, at the corner of Route 28 and Forest Road in Yarmouth, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Gift may be made to the St. Pius X renovation project by calling Fr. George at (508) 398-2248 or a donation can be made to the National Ataxia Foundation, 2600 Fernbrook Lane, Suite 119, Minneapolis, MN 55447 www.ataxia.org/giving.

Notes of comfort and sympathy may be sent to the Alto family at www.MorrisOConnorBlute.com.