[Milton-L] Al Labriola's memorial service

[Richard Durocher]

    On Sunday I arrived in Pittsburgh for the Viewing, or Visitation, for
Albert C. Labriola with other friends, students, colleagues, and of course
Al's family, including his widow Regina, his son Michael, his sister in law,
Kathy, and Al's grandchildren.  On Monday,  in a pew with Susan
Wadsworth-Booth of Duquesne University Press and other colleagues and
friends,  I attended Al's Mass of Christian burial in the Duquesne Chapel.
Thinking that many on this list would welcome news of these events,
particularly the memorial service, I offer the following account.  For those
who want the short version, it is this:  Many testified to the conviction
that our beloved Al was surely at peace with his God, and that he had lived
a life distinguished by worth and service.
    At the viewing I met not only many members of Al's family but also his
colleagues at Duquesne, several of whom were visibly shaken by their loss.
While the bitter irony was sometimes mentioned  that Al had defeated cancer
only to succumb to his bout with pneumonia while on break in Florida, I
heard no murmuring of complaint.  Al had trained us too well for that.  All
I met were full of stories about Al's wit, tenacity, and intelligence.  From
Al's friend and pall bearer, Fred, I was surprised to learn what Al only
rarely shared, that he was a decorated officer who had served in the Vietnam
war, and that he and his unit had only recently reestablished contact.   I
also met an impressive group of young scholars and teachers who had studed
with Al, including some, such as Matt Vickless, who were looking forward to
continuing advances degrees under Al's direction.  Again, these students had
cause for self-pity, but they asked instead for my memories of happy moments
that I recalled with Al.
   The funeral program includes a lovely picture of Al, smiling knowingly
and wearing an Italian silk ties and pocket scarf.  Under that picture is
the full text of Milton's "On Time."  Aptly, one of Al's three eulogists
referred to the poem's vision of an end to Time's race, "when once our
heav'nly-guided soul shall clime," as befitting Al's spiritual ascent.  Al's
colleague of over 30 years at Duquesne, George Worgul, eloquently read
Donne's sonnet, "At the round Earth's imagined corners blow," as  the
opening of his insightful, piercing eulogy, celebrating Al's sometimes
angelic, sometimes Puckish demeanor.  Sam Hazo spoke of the morning in the
Duquesne chapel as comparable to two other tragic times: the subdued
assembly for the death of President Kennedy; and the elaborate service for
Princess Grace of Monaco, a Duquesne alumna.  I thought Al would appreciate
the humor of the analogy drawn between himself and the princess.  Yet I also
heard him, repeatedly over the weekend, described as a prince among men.  A
phrase I cherish from the service is Samuel Hazo's simple, fitting tribute
to Al as "a citizen-scholar like no other."
   During my time in Pittsburgh, I heard many thanks on the part of the
Labriola family for the many testimonials and kind words said about Al over
the Milton list.  His son, Michael, perhaps with Susan's thoughtfulness, has
been reading and at times quoting from our comments and memories, and he
specifically asked me to convey my thanks to contributors from the list.
The outpouring of heartfelt appreciation for Al Labriola, whom I was honored
to have as a mentor and later, my editor, and above all my friend for over
twenty years, certainly is appreciated.  It is also fitting.  Perhaps the
only unfitness here is my own role as messenger here.  I know many others
who knew Al better than I, some of whom, including his long time friends and
collaborators like John Mulryan has already responded, while others
including my teacher, Mary Ann Radzinowicz, who once told me she loved Al
Labriola like a brother, have not yet.  As others have said, I hope Al's
dear friend, Michael Lieb, whom illness and distance prevented from
attending these ceremonies, will be able to offer the centerpiece of many
words, to be artfully arranged at a fit occasion, in praise and memory of
Dr. Albert C. Labiola, our secretary, our colleague, our editor, our mentor,
our brother, our friend.

   Rich DuRocher
   St. Olaf College
   Northfield, Minnesota
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