A commonly used antimetabolite states, “it’s not about the number of years in your life, but the life in your years.” The filling and the substantive life lived by Dr. Douglas Astolfi was celebrated by the Saint Leo community Tuesday, Sept. 18. Scores of attendees a part of The Saint Leo Community including members of the faculty, staff, students past and present filled the SCC Boardrooms. The service was opened by Father Michael Cooper who declaratively said that the service was not a memorial, but a celebration of the life lived by Dr. Astolfi.
Dr. Astolfi’s memory resonates with the Saint Leo community as his words, and actions echo through the lives he had affected. Credit: John Hall
The remarks of the attendees though somber, reflect the colorful and generous life of the emeritus professor of history. Astolfi was remembered by University President Dr. Jeffrey Senese who recalled a two-hour long meeting with him, talking about the evolution of the institution. In their conversation on what should be the focus of the University Senese said, “He was one of [those]guys that had a clear sensibility of what was important,” which Senese noted as the people of the institution. He prodded the community to build on the great things Astolfi accomplished in his time. Senese mentioned to the audience three things: the fact that time flies, “We have a short bit of time on earth with each other and with people like Doug, it is important to hold on to that time and those moments”, said Senese. He further admonished the attendees to focus and think about how Dr. Astolfi made a difference and the lives that were affected by him, and finally, to think about how we make people feel because that is what lasts; which many attendees could do of Dr. Astolfi. Remarks were brought on behalf of the Astolfi family by his son, Drew Astolfi who recalled fond memories of his father and the giving attitude that led his life. In an exclusive with the Lions’ Pride Drew stated, “My dad fell in love with Saint Leo right away, not just the weather but [because]it was a chance to reinvent the University because back then it was only a college.” Drew continued, “Saint Leo is aimed at regular people trying to get their education, and that was what my dad cared about most in his life. His commitment [was to the ideal]that everyone should have a piece of this [education].”
Dr. Astolfi’s son, Drew Astolfi recounted the many loves his father had; among the myriad was the Saint Leo Community. Credit: John Hall
He continued stating that his father’s love for history was encapsulated by the fact that to
him it was a secret language of how things work in the world; often drawing parallels to present events in the past even at home. “I feel like I was lucky to be his kid and I feel like he was lucky to be at Saint Leo, it was the right place for him.”
Notable in the room were many recent alumni of Saint Leo University that took time out of their busy schedules, returning to Main Campus for the memorial. Standing out prominent before them was Brian Cerosky ’18 a former Staff writer at The Lions’ Pride. Brian stated that he saw a message on the Alumni Facebook page promoting the memorial which prodded his attendance. Brian recounted, “In my final year as his advisee, Dr. Astolfi told me that he was streamlining his advisees as he was getting ready for retirement.” Curious as to why Astolfi kept him as an advisee Brian asked of his advisor, why would he retain him as an advisee to which Dr. Astolfi replied, “Because I like the man you grew into Brian.”
Several heart warming and mood-lightening memories were recalled by members of faculty. Credit: John Hall
Moved by Dr. Astolfi’s words Brian had no choice in returning to the memorial to remember his professor to whom he owes a debt of gratitude. Countless other recounts were made by students and members of the faculty and staff that were impacted by the words, actions and dedication to excellence that Dr. Astolfi exhibited.
In a final act of community service, Dr. Astolfi dedicated his entire library, a surplus of some 900 books from English, Chinese and Japanese history to the Canon Memorial Library. The books will be displayed collectively before being shelved into their proper locations within the Library. Professor Carol Ann Moon, Reference and Instructional Outreach librarian, was incredibly moved by his donation, mentioning it in her memorial also reciting a poem.
As the semesters continue, the Saint Leo Community remains strong, influenced in great part from the resolve, service and empowerment via the conduit of Dr. Douglas Astolfi.
