Life after loss of father

by Kobie Adams
edited by Ian Melewski

He thinks back to last semester. The beeps of the machines and the scent of bleach and disinfectant in the air are engraved in his memory. 

(Photo: Remembrance Video)

September 1st, 2019, would be the last time Mike Alibrandi Jr. would see his father alive. “There was a [messed] up form of relief after he was gone.” said Mike.

(Photo: Mike Alibrandi)

For the previous 143 days, Michael Alibrandi Sr. had fought a losing battle with stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his lungs and spinal cord.  

The initial diagnosis came on April 16th, 2019. It was a day that started with preparing for a lacrosse game only to be abruptly interrupted, when he received a phone call from his mother. His father had been hospitalized and he needed to get to there as quickly as possible. 

 Before that day Mike Sr. had not shown signs of being ill. “We assume that he was feeling bad for a while, but thought that it wasn’t serious,” said Mike. In less than 24 hours, Mike’s life had done a 180.  

His father had been there for all his lacrosse and basketball games.  Mike Sr.’s consistent presence in his son’s life, is a significant anchor within Mike Jr.’s life. 

Many months after the death of his father, Mike honors his father’s memory during every lacrosse game. He takes off his glove and reveals a small piece of tape on his wrist saying his father’s birthday, April 20th, 1969, in roman numerals. Small things like this allow Mike to maintain a positive attitude during these hardships, “He’s not suffering anymore…and that made losing him easier,” said Mike. Today he tries to remain positive and live a good life in remembrance of his father.