Alfred Robert Vigorito

Alfred Robert Vigorito died peacefully on March 10, 2026, in the compassionate care of the VA Hospital in West Haven from complications due to his three-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded in his final days by his family and beloved friends.

Born on April 2, 1943, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Mary (Cappiello) Vigorito and Alfred Vigorito of East Haven, Fred enjoyed an idyllic childhood alongside his lifelong best friend Pete Smith. Together they fished in Lake Saltonstall, warmed donuts on a potbelly stove, and shared adventures that shaped his lifelong passions for fine automobiles, music, and living well. An enterprising young man, he took on distinctive jobs such as resetting bowling pins, selling his catch to neighbors, and delivering groceries door to door. After attending UCONN for a year, he earned his degree in business from the University of New Haven. In 1966 he enlisted in the US Army, attended OCS, and served as a first lieutenant in California, where he oversaw the repair of night vision goggles. He often described his decision to serve as one of the best of his life and remained deeply proud of his country and its ideals.

Fred worked at SNET for 25 years before retiring and devoting himself to advocating for the underdog and challenging bureaucratic obstacles with his characteristic persistence. A man of strong convictions, he remained humble enough to listen to others and change his views when presented with compelling evidence. He will be remembered internationally for his transcendent talent as a cornet player. Encouraged by his mother, he began playing in 1965 with the Easy Riders Jazz Band and recorded at Preservation Hall in New Orleans alongside legends such as “Kid” Thomas Valentine and George Lewis. For the next six decades he shared the history and spirit of authentic New Orleans and Dixieland Jazz as leader of the Galvanized Jazz Band, which he founded in 1971 and which has performed continuously since. He collaborated with notable musicians including Les Paul, Howard Alden, Teddy Wilson, and Conrad Janis, and continued playing publicly until just three weeks before his health declined. Music was, for Fred, a way of serving the world; beyond festivals and gigs, he offered his playing at countless funerals, weddings, and in public schools.

On April 13, 1973, Fred married Linda Miron, the “cute gal from work.” Over nearly 53 years of marriage they traveled widely, cared for their home, and nurtured a wide circle of enduring friendships. They had two sons. Their second son, born in 1981 with Down Syndrome, inspired Fred’s lifelong advocacy for people with disabilities. Together with Linda, he navigated often indifferent systems to ensure their son’s needs were met and worked to bring greater attention and resources to support individuals with disabilities across Connecticut.

Above all, Fred will be remembered by his family and friends for his sense of fun, his capacity to listen, his wisdom, and his ability to mediate conflict while keeping focus on what truly mattered. He and Linda created a warm gathering place for holidays, vacations, and milestones; their home was affectionately known by his son Mark’s friends as “Club Fred.” His generosity and deep trust led many to ask him to officiate their weddings. Fred was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Alfred Vigorito, and his brother Albert Vigorito. He is survived by his wife Linda (Miron) Vigorito, his son Matt Vigorito, his son Mark Vigorito, daughter-in-law Marjke Yatsevitch, and grandsons Augustus and Wesley Vigorito, as well as many cherished relatives, friends, musical collaborators, and philosophical companions.