Edward G. Aliverti

Edward Gene Aliverti, 77, of Edmonds, Wash., died February 3, 2010 at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, after a courageous battle with cancer.Born July 28, 1932 to Ambrose and Louise Aliverti in Walla Walla, Wash., Ed and his brother Bob worked on the familys farm and attended school where Ed graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1950 as its valedictorian. Ed attended WSU where he graduated cum laude in 1955 with degrees in music education and communication. It was during this time that he married Shirley and their family would eventually include daughters Jann, Leslie and Gina. He returned to WSU for graduate work in 1957 and became a certified counselor after studying at Seattle University in 1965. From 1955-1960, Aliverti was the vocal music educator at Edmonds High School until he helped open Mountlake Terrace High School and established the exemplary choral program there and later served as a counselor. In 1971, Ed moved to Lynnwood High School where he helped open that new school and served as a counselor until 1976. At that time, Ed became a real fixture at Edmonds Community College where he served as the director of college information and school relations, and in 1981 he became the director of admissions and counseling. Then in 1985, Aliverti became the associate dean for student services, until he retired in 1988. True to form, Ed was even busier in retirement.One of Eds many talents was serving as the master of ceremonies at concerts and events, and sports announcing especially amateur wrestling. Remarkably, the man whose voice is most closely associated with the sport never was a wrestler himself, but instead got involved when he was trying to recruit young men into the choirs at Edmonds H.S. The rest is history as Ed has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the NAIA Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. He has twice been recognized by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association for meritorious service, selected as Man of the Year by Wrestling USA Magazine and was honored with the International Federation of Amateur Wrestlings Gold Star award. Included among his accomplishments is serving as the wrestling announcer for six Olympiads from Los Angeles in 1984 to Athens in 2004. With Shirley at his side, Ed was the voice of innumerable youth, high school, collegiate and international wrestling tournaments and championships for more than 50 years.A life-long musician and arts advocate, Ed founded and directed the Sno-King Chorale and also helped develop what is now The Fantastic Stardust Follies a group of seniors who have presented shows to resounding acclaim all over the country, on cruise ships and for large private gatherings. In fact, Ed composed, arranged, directed and performed with the Follies. His rendition of Phantom of the Opera won him praise from audiences and critics everywhere he performed. Most recently, Ed performed two benefit shows with his doctor, Vincent Picozzi, raising funds for pancreatic cancer research.Ed is survived by his best friend and wife of 55 years, Shirley; daughters Jann Aliverti; Leslie Jones (Ted); Gina Thorvilson (Rick), grandchildren Ashley Granath (Derrick), Caitlin Jones, Adam and Eric Thorvilson and one great-grandson, Dylan Edward Granath. He is also survived by his mother, Louise Aliverti, and his brother Bob and his wife Dana along with their two sons, Robert E. and Brent. He was preceded in death by his father, Ambrose Aliverti.Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Holy Rosary Church (630 7 th Avenue N in Edmonds, Wash.) with a reception to follow in the parish schools gymnasium. Private graveside services will follow at Edmonds Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the Aliverti family respectfully requests that donations be made in Eds honor to either: Multiple Sclerosis Helping Hands 9792 Edmonds Way #229 Edmonds, WA 98020 Or Virginia Mason Pancreatic Cancer Fund c/o Virginia Mason Medical Foundation ATTN: Dr. Vincent Picozzi VMMC Mail Stop B-2 1100 9 th Avenue Seattle, WA 98111