Alfonso Corazza

-Alfonso Corazza, 95, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his family.   He is now reunited with Fernanda, his lovely wife of 65 years, who proceeded him in Heaven on September 24, 2019.   

Alfonso was born to Pietro Corazza and Augusta Sacilotto on June 24, 1928, in Chions, Italy, the youngest of nine siblings who all preceded him in death.  He immigrated first to Belgium shortly after WWII, and worked as a coal miner for three years, to then move to Canada.

It was on his return trip to Belgium in 1950 from visiting his home country of Italy before immigrating to Canada when he met his lovely wife to be, Fernanda Isabella Maria Mariotti. They were married in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on June 5, 1954.

Alfonso was a tile, terrazzo, marble, and granite master craftsman creating beautiful installations for over 60 years in many parts of the world.  His great works include ceiling frescos inside the Tippecanoe County Courthouse renovation of the 1980’s, the terrazzo floors in St. Boniface, numerous Purdue University facilities, the sanctuary of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Champagne, Illinois, the baptismal fonts at both St. Mary Cathedral and St. John the Baptist in Whiting, Indiana, and exposed aggregate at Purdue where thousands of students walk over this beautiful installation every day.  

Alfonso was an active member and parishioner of St. Mary’s Cathedral.  He provided transportation for those wanting to go to church, repaired the St. Mary statue, retiled bathrooms in the rectory, and was an usher for Sunday mass.

Fernanda always said that Alfonso had hands of gold as he could create or repair almost anything.   He also had a heart of gold and was always ready and willing to step in and help, whether it be family or friends. Alfonso was a loving husband and father.  The doors to his home would always be open to friends with the warmest hospitality.  Within his home he used his hands of gold to make beautiful works of art from terrazzo floors to hand made wood furniture.  He spoke three languages and was always trying to learn new things.  

Alfonso is survived by his four children, Marisa Corazza Valli (husband Angelo) of Como, Italy, Julie Mueller (husband David) of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Renato Corazza (wife Sandy) of Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, Alessandro Corazza of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Laura Peccol of Como, Italy, Riccardo Valli of Como, Italy, Claudia Stella of Barcelona, Spain, Christina Mueller of Seattle, Washington, Jeffrey Mueller of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Isabella Mueller of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Jacob Corazza, US Army Fort Rucker, Alabama, Madelyn Rhoden US Coast Guard, Detroit, Michigan, Teresa Corazza of Indianapolis, Indiana, and four great grandchildren, Davide, Carola, Federico and Bianca, all of Como, Italy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Lafayette.   Friends may visit with family members at St. Mary Cathedral from 10:30AM until the mass of Christian burial at 11:30AM on Friday, March 22.  The Very Reverend Anthony Rowland, officiating.  Entombment will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Mausoleum.   Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Corazza family.  Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com