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 FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 4:43 am |
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Local News 
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Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies Ed Aliverti, a popular music teacher, also was known for announcing wrestling matches, including at the Olympics. EDMONDS — Ed Aliverti, a gifted high school music teacher and legendary international wrestling announcer, died in a Seattle hospital Wednesday after battling pancreatic cancer.His deep baritone voice was heard near and far from emceeing Fourth of July parades close to his Edmonds home to mat side at the Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea; Barcelona, Spain; Atlanta and Sydney, Australia. Friends said Wednesday Aliverti’s kindness is what they will remember most. “He was incredibly giving,” said Frank DeMiero, a retired music teacher who worked with Aliverti in the Edmonds School District. “The old term, ‘He’d give the shirt off his back,’ that was Ed Aliverti.” Aliverti, 77, never was a wrestler himself. It was his efforts to build a choir in his first year of teaching at Edmonds High School in the 1950s that led to his calling wrestling matches. When a half dozen wrestlers joined the choir, he expressed an interest in their sport. The wrestling coach, in turn, asked Aliverti to call the school’s matches. Aliverti spent more than 50 years announcing wrestling meets. He began announcing state tourneys in 1965 before graduating to collegiate meets, world championships and the Olympics. The man who was selected as a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla., never lost his love for prep wrestling. “I never saw him any different at the Olympics or the state high school championships,” said Jim Meyerhoff, an assistant director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, who worked with Aliverti at the state Mat Classic and the Olympics in Los Angeles. “He was always the consummate professional.” Aliverti insisted on learning how to pronounce each wrestler’s name correctly, an exercise that could take hours, particularly with tongue-twisting international pronunciations. He also would perform the national anthem at many events and learned to sing anthems for several other countries. Meyerhoff said Aliverti’s voice will continue to be heard. Three years ago, the WIAA recorded him singing “God Bless America.” That rendition will be played before state championship matches for years to come, he said. Aliverti was valedictorian of his high school class in Walla Walla and graduated from Washington State University in 1955 with a music education degree. He first taught at Edmonds High School before joining the faculty at Mountlake Terrace High School when the school opened in 1960. “He did a magnificent job,” DeMiero said. “He had wonderful choirs and the kids loved him.” While at Mountlake Terrace High, Aliverti became a school counselor. In 1971, he joined the staff at Lynnwood High School when it opened. By 1975, he was hired as a part-time music instructor at Edmonds Community College. He retired from EdCC as associate dean of student services in 1988, the same year he received the college’s excellence in education award. He also received the Washington State Governor’s Community Service Award. Even after retiring, he was a frequent presence at EdCC, taking on assignments in admissions and representing the college at special events for another decade. “He was known as the voice of the college,” said Michelle Graves, an EdCC spokeswoman. Aliverti emceed sports and other events for the college and his voice was even used for the college’s phone messages. “He made a huge difference at this campus.” Graves said. In recent years, he continued to perform as part of a singing group. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, and three daughters. Services were pending Wednesday. Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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Funny thing is that my oldest sister had him as a music teacher at Terrace his first year. Then when he was at Lynnwood as a councelor I knew him. He remembered my sister & the family. It was a great joy to him to be able to see the family again. He & Jerry Karnofski used to go round & round but all in fun. Sis ter & I will remember him always.
Trish Mickelsen | Feb 7, 2010 4:04 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I was fortunate enough to be best friends with Ed's daughter Leslie, as well as work with Ed at EdCC, and he welcomed me into his family with open arms and a huge heart. I have not kept in contact with the Alivertis in recent years, but have warm memories of them all. My condolences to the family and friends who loved Ed. He will be dearly missed.
Shelly Raketty | Feb 6, 2010 9:58 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Last month I was in the Everett area for a reunion with some college friends. I took the opportunity to visit Mr Al in the hospital. I held his hand and we talked, and talked. He was more to me than a senior class advisor - he was my mentor, my source of inspiration. He gave me the confidence to meet challenges head-on, and then look forward the next one. I spoke his name often in circles of people who had never heard of him, but knew the impact he had on me. I am truly grateful for that last visit. Rest in peace, dear friend, you will be missed.
Mike Kessler
Mike Kessler | Feb 6, 2010 9:46 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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I had the opportunity of working in the counselors office during my years as a student at MTHS. I got to know Mr. Al as more than a music teacher. He was my mentor. There was a Christmas when my family was in deep despair, and Mr. Al and some of the other staff at MTHS,along with some of my classmates, made sure we had a wonderful blessed Christmas, by providing us with a tree and all of the trimmings. God Bless Mr. Al and keep him in the palm of his hand.
Terry Lee Hewitt | Feb 5, 2010 10:59 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Ed Aliverti...or 'Mr. Al' as he often liked to be called, was the most awesome person I ever met. I never realized that he was so young! He was my first band instructor teaching me saxophone at Forest Crest Elementary in Mountlake Terrace in 1955...and then I was blessed to have him again as a music instructor at Terrace High. Mr. Al NEVER forgot a name! I have run in to him several times as an adult as have other friends, and he always remembered who we were....which I found amazing! He was gifted with a tremendous talent in music and also a way to handle youth. I think he was one of my favorite teachers of all times. He will forever live in my memories. He also blessed many with his performances at the Victorian Christmas at the Puyallup Fairgrounds in the winter. I thank his family for sharing him with all of us for so many years. This world is a better place because of Ed Aliverti.
Carol Crowley | Feb 4, 2010 12:47 pm | 1 replies | Request removal
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I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Al. He is one of my fondest memories of my time at Terrace High. I ran into him many years after marrying and moving away from Washington and he not only remembered me, but asked to be remembered to my father. He had only worked with my father occasionally, long after I was out of the state, but he still made the connection. Men like Mr. Al are rare indeed.
Diane Bebee | Feb 05, 2010 6:03 am | Request removal