ALAN D. ATTANASIO

Dr. Alan D. Attanasio of Mesquite, Texas, passed away after a brief illness at Dallas Regional Hospital on November 13, 2009, with his family and dear friends at his side. Born in Schenectady on September 16, 1953, Alan was the son of Jayne P. McCann of Schenectady and the late Frank Attanasio, Sr. Alan was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College and the NY Institute of Film and Photography. He studied alphabiotic techniques under Dr. Virgil Crane while living in Texas, eventually establishing his own Alphabiotics Life Enhancement Center and also teaching the new wellness-based concepts to other physicians. Early in his career, he worked as a surgical and operating room technician at Ellis Hospital and Albany Medical Center. Later, he worked in management at the Hilton and Fairmont Hotels in Dallas, where he met many celebrities including Tony Bennett and Kenny Rogers. He enjoyed skiing, sky-diving and traveling. Alan's always exciting life was a natural result of his love of people and fascination with learning and was enriched by his many close friendships. He also cared deeply about the well-being of all his family members, providing chiropractic alignments and nutritional advice at every family visit. It was especially important to him to encourage and educate the children in maintaining healthy lifestyles. The trails Alan blazed for others to follow, the examples he set and his love of life will be among the memories that sustain his family and friends during this time of grief. In addition to his mother, Jayne, Alan is survived by his cherished daughter, Arielle; and son, Aubren; three brothers, Frank (Patricia) Attanasio, Ronald (Kathy) Attanasio, and Joseph (Bobbi) Attanasio; his aunt and uncle, Shirley and Frank Paparella, aunt Helen Campbell; and cousins. Survivors also include nieces, Danielle and Emily Attanasio and nephews, Mario, Frankie, Anthony and Jesse Attanasio and Bobby and Ronny Paul Stalnaker; as well as four great-nieces and one great-nephew. The family would like to express sincere thanks to Doug and Donette Morris, their musical friends and the Rev. Kay who arranged a memorial service at the Cathedral of Light in Texas on November 15. Thanks also go to Daddy Jack Chaplin and daughter Rachel for offering their restaurant services to all, Scott Hawkins' family, along with Maggie and Gene Jacobson for their generosity and all of Alan's devoted friends in Texas for their emotional support, practical help, and daily visits to the ICU. A funeral service will take place at 12 noon on Sunday, December 6 at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, located at Union and Church streets in the Stockade. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.