Faculty remembers deceased student Domenico Fargnoli, 45

For the second time in about a month, the College at Brockport community is mourning the loss of a fellow student. Domenico "Dom" Fargnoli, a senior communication major, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 27 with his family at his side.

Fargnoli, a 45-year-old resident of Churchville, N.Y., was studying journalism and broadcasting, and was a classmate and acquaintance to many writers and editors of The Stylus.

Communication professors remember Fargnoli for his persistence even while facing serious physical illness.

"As sick as he was, and he knew that he was sick, he put in all the effort he could into it (class)," said professor Virginia "Ginny" Orzel. "And he never let being sick hold him back."

Fargnoli openly talked about his heart condition to help ensure it would never interfere with his pursuit of higher education in film and broadcast TV production.

Professor Carvin Eisen said Fargnoli was committed to his classes "right up to the last minute."

"Last week, Wednesday (Nov. 23), he called me twice to say he was going to be back, he was going to do his work, he was going to support his group [and] he was going to do his part," Eisen said. "It's just overwhelming."

Eisen said he's disappointed Fargnoli didn't have enough time to complete his degree and follow through with his plans to move to California, where he planned to find work with friends who worked in TV production.

"He had unfinished business, unfinished work," Eisen said.    

Since Fargnoli was so close to graduating, the college will give the Fargnoli family a posthumous degree for Domenico Fargnoli, College Registrar Peter Dowe said.

"We have always been impressed with the amount of determination and tenacity Dom (Fargnoli) showed toward his schoolwork, despite the fact that he had some serious health issues," Sherri Micheli and Maryellen Post, two faculty members in the Office for Students with Disabilities, wrote in a joint email statement to The Stylus. "Dom (Fargnoli) was very enthusiastic about learning and (was) passionate about his communication major."

Professors remember Fargnoli for his persistence and his ability to overcome initial difficulties he faced with schoolwork.

"He really impressed me [because] he never gave up," Orzel said. "He was very ill [but] he never let that stop him. He always wanted to be treated like everyone else."

Eisen remembers him a little differently.

"I was [Fargnoli's] adviser and he would come into my office not prepared for anything," Eisen said. "I was like ‘what is wrong with you,' but over time we built a relationship."

Staff writers for The Stylus, DJs for The Point, producers for BTV and other friends, classmates and professors also remember Fargnoli for his kind, personable nature.

"Dom (Fargnoli) loved to talk to people and would do so whenever he came into the office," Micheli and Post wrote. "He thoroughly enjoyed people and conversation."

Others remember Fargnoli for his caring personality.

"When I broke my ankle back in February (2011), he would ask me how I was doing, and yet he had a more serious health situation than I had," Orzel said.  

When communication professor Marsha Ducey broke her ankle at the beginning of the fall semester, Fargnoli would check on her after class to make sure she was getting by all right.

"Domenico (Fargnoli) was a kind soul," Ducey said.

Some said because Fargnoli was older than most students, he brought a different perspective to in-class discussions.

"When he would speak, he would bring a very unique point of view — a very considered point of view — and it came from a knowledge base he accumulated as an older student," Eisen said. "He didn't appreciate superficial thinking. He tried to look at things from a different perspective.

"[He was] just a beautiful, sensitive man who was articulate and had unique powers of analysis," Eisen added.

Fargnoli's calling hours were held Thursday, Dec. 1 at Walker Brothers Funeral Home in Churchville.

In remembrance of Fargnoli, one may write an online message, known as "lighting a candle," by going to the obituaries page of the Walker Brothers Funeral Home website, www.walkerbrothersfh.com.

Those wishing to send expressions of sympathy should consider the Children's Heart Center at University of Rochester Medical Center, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.