Alfredo Von Melon

Alfredo Von Melon, age 62, passed away in the comfort of his home, surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Al, as he was known to family and friends, was born in Naples, Italy to Giuseppe and Giuseppina Von Melon before the family’s final emigration to New Jersey USA. 

Tragedy struck the Von Melon household early with the passing of Al’s father in 1966 when he was just 5 years old, and his sister was 9 years old. His mother chose to remain in the states, specifically in Upper Montclair, New Jersey and honor her husband's newly acquired citizenship as well as to embrace it for the entire family.  Alfredo and his sister would continue to be raised there until adulthood.

During his teenage years, Al went to Montclair High School where he developed an interest and passion for computing which would later influence his career of choice – computer programming and networking. He also had a great love of music, particularly classic rock, which took him to many concerts and even employed him as a bouncer on several occasions.

A chance encounter at age 28 during a party was his defining moment where he met the love of his life and the woman he would later marry, Filomena Ferraiolo. They would wed in 1995 and shortly be blessed with two boys. The eldest, Giuseppe, was given his grandfather’s namesake, and a year and a half later, Alessandro would be born.  With a growing family, they soon purchased a home in Wayne where the family continues to reside.

Unfortunately, a second tragedy would befall the family as they were raising their babies. Al was diagnosed with Leukemia and an arduous struggle would begin.  It started with a Bone Marrow transplant and a five percent chance of survival which miraculously resulted in a true manifestation of a miracle and the only survivor of the group of transplant patients in his ward. The next hurdle was just as difficult and resulted in a terrible side effect of all the radiation he endured for his Leukemia.  This time, his heart was failing, and a heart transplant was the only option – and the clock was ticking so fast.  A phone call late at night from the hospital brought such great hope that Al and Fil rushed to the hospital so he could be prepped for surgery, only to find out on their arrival that the new heart didn’t survive the trip. The news was devastating.  Yet, in God’s plan, a tragic motorcycle accident would bring life to death not too long after. 

The surgery seemed to go as planned but the usual wake up in recovery didn’t. No one wanted to say the words, but Al was in a coma, and he remained that way for over a month. No one will really ever know what happened. 

Life moved along for a while, but one of Al’s kidneys started shutting down and another transplant was needed.  It was another trying period of waiting but thanks to a kidney exchange program, Filomena was able to offer her kidney to someone she matched in exchange for a kidney that matched her husband.

Twenty years later, the miracle of Alfredo Von Melon had surpassed so many medical science expectations that we somehow believed it would continue.  But Sarcoma is a cruel cancer and despite numerous attempts to halt its spreading, it was not to be. This remarkable man with courage, sheer will, and a love of God, family and life fought long and hard with a smile on his face, and laughter on his lips. 

His sense of humor, his willingness to be the guy you turned to whenever you needed help with something in spite of his trials and tribulations, will continue to endear him to those that loved him and will serve as a role model for his kids who saw firsthand what a hero looks like.

Alfredo is survived by his mother Giuseppina Melon; his loving wife Filomena Von Melon and their two boys: Giuseppe and Alessandro Von Melon; his sister Mariolina Von Melon; his brothers and sister-in-law Mario Ferraiolo, Pasquale Ferraiolo, Gianna Raimato, and Vincenzo Ferraiolo; and his many loving nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.