Posted by David Swanson on July 5, 2007:

Alessio Giuliano Pensiero was a superb roommate and friend. He was a great human being and his family and friends will miss his smiling face. Back in July 1954, when the Firsties were yelling "drop the bag dumbsmack" and "pick up the bag mister", Alex and many of us were scared out of our wits. Alex, the son of a cobbler from Schenectady NY, learned how to make accommodations for these little discomforts and he was able to prove his intelligence, humor, common sense, leadership, caring for others, humility, sincerity and pecuniary responsibility (this is only a partial listing of his fine attributes). In the cadet company (C-2) we entered it was called "Chicken-Two" because there were some upper classmen who delighted in making the life of a plebe miserable. Later, many of the guys in our 1958 class wanted the company to be known as "Chummy-Two" and we wanted to rid our memory of the stupid things done in the name of training or regimentation. We did not want to use a pointed "swagger stick" to completely ruin a plebe's "spit-shined" shoes as one nincompoop of the 1955 class did in the name of discipline. Alex was able to negotiate all of the difficulties of being a cadet very well and proved his leadership abilities as a cadet platoon leader, as an Army Lieutenant, and over many years with GE, Honeywell, the West Point Society of Phoenix, and in several roles in his community especially helping young people. As a cadet he was involved in many activities such as track, cross-country, Catholic acolyte, Portuguese Club, Pointer staff, etc., but he was a great roommate always ready to work on preparations for inspection and even more prepared to wrap up in his "brown boy" at the slightest hint of free time. One of his traits I wish I had copied more effectively was to save more and buy stocks as soon as possible. When cadets went on leave we could take a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $15 a day from our account for spending money. I always took the maximum and spent it all. Alex took only the minimum and came back with money in his pocket that he salted away. When most of us bought new cars in 1958, Alex bought no car and kept saving money. I think he may have bought some General Motors and Gillette stocks or some other such blue chip stocks. Yes, he finally bought a Volkswagen bug when he was in Italy with SETAF located in Vincenza. I think he paid less than $1,000 for that car and it may still be parked in the garage in Phoenix and if not it lasted many years and was transportation for all members of that family I believe. I'm not sure Alex ever bought a new set of golf clubs but he got hand-me-downs from Lenny MacCormack way back when and used those clubs all these years with tape wrapped around the hosels of the clubs so the heads would not fly off. He played quite well with them too. I often kidded him about how tight he was but he would only smile at me and I knew he was thinking "what a spendthrift". In 1959, Alex came to my wedding in Summit, NJ and we got mixed up with the bad company of other classmates like Will Roosma, etc. and had a little bit too much to drink. When we showed up at the bride's home that afternoon before the wedding honking the horn her Aunt chased us away with some choice words. In 1965, I went to Schenectady, NY to attend the wedding of Lois and Alex. I met many of their friends and we had a great time as some libations were imbibed. While on their motoring honeymoon Lois and Alex stopped to visit our family at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation near Harrisburg, PA. We got them accommodations in the "VIP" cottage next to the flagpole and reveille cannon. They were a bit surprised when the cannon blast and nusic awoke them the next morning. Alex really cared about people and anyone who ever met him liked him right away. He cared most about his wife and children and loved them all dearly. Alex could be quiet and contemplative but with his family, friends and acquaintances he had an engaging sense of humor that would draw folks to him. He had the gift of human communication that would connect him to others and they to him. When "Pinoke" smiled and his eyes would twinkle, you knew he had another convert. As a result he made many friends in diverse places. We all loved visiting in his home in Schenectady and I met his mother and his two sisters. I can still remember the surprise when I got a jigger of Four Roses with my orange juice at the breakfast table. I was also ecstatic to see a gallon jug of red Italian table wine at lunch and dinner. Mrs. Pensiero created delicious meals and all of the visitors from West Point went back with a full stomach. I don't think Mrs. Pensiero allowed us up from the table unless we had at least two helpings. My family and/or I visited the Pensiero family in Phoenix on several occasions and enjoyed their gracious hospitality. It was apparent how much Lois and Alex loved their children and wanted only the best for them. I also remember picking my own grapefruit from their tree for breakfast. I got to visit the Pensiero's on Maui in May of 2004, the last time I saw Alex, when their daughter got married there. The Pensiero family is close knit and loving because of Lois And Alex being wonderful role models for their children. I cannot think of anyone whom I hold in greater esteem than Alex and I measure him along with my own father. The Lord now has the perfect roommate in Alexander Julius Pensiero. Well done, be thou at peace!

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