When Greenville councilman and Keystone Adolescent Center clinical director Michael D'Alfonso died in November, the tragedy to family, friends and community was reflected in the overwhelming number of people in attendance at his calling hours and funeral.

That same overwhelming support has spurred his family to come up with a way to keep his memory alive, and allow others to take part in supporting a cause that was near and dear to his heart.

"The idea for a memorial foundation fund was the brainchild of Tim and Mary Keck and Tom and Beth D'Alfonso," said Marty D'Alfonso, speaking of her husband's siblings and their spouses. "They came to me and we all agreed that this was a great idea."

A memorial foundation fund for the West Salem Township group home for troubled teens and created through the North Mercer County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Shenango Valley Foundation in Sharon, will provide a monetary award to a student or resident for a special need.

Special needs could include money for a down payment for an apartment, a bus ticket or scholarship money for further schooling, according to Mrs. D'Alfonso.

"The family's goal is to perpetuate his memory and to continue to do the good works Mr. D'Alfonso did with the kids at Keystone," said Larry Haynes, executive director of the Shenango Valley Foundation.

"It's a way to continue his efforts in helping those kids. Mike would do extras, above and beyond his duties. He spent his own money on them. Some of the kids spent the holidays with our own families," said Mrs. D'Alfonso. "I know it doesn't compare to what the employees are doing now but we want to help."

According to Jim Gentile, Sr., executive director of Keystone, this kind of help is very welcome.

"It's a great idea. Mike would have been thrilled and real supportive. We'll do every-thing we can to make it a part of our yearly award ceremony. It's a really wonderful thing to have something in his memory," said Gentile. "As a role model for kids, he was just super. He's really missed. He was the kind of guy who was real."

It's that genuine down-to-earth quality about D'Alfonso that his wife hopes to pass onto her children and those in the group home.

"Keeping up the foundation will be passed onto my children, and not only how special he was, but how important his work was," she said, speaking of Jacob, 13, and Julianna, 5. "Besides having his children, this will be the most important thing I will ever do for him. It's making me stronger to deal with this."

For more information about the memorial foundation fund, contact the Shenango Valley Foundation at (724) 981-5882 or Mrs. D'Alfonso at (724) 588-0386.