A Pioneer’s Long-term Commitment and Legacy
Alexander (Al) Ramadei ’50
Alexander (Al) Ramadei is a Notre Dame Pioneer and the patriarch of a Notre Dame Family. As a member of the Class on 1950, Al’s life On The Hill started in September 1946 in Harugari Hall, the building acquired by the Brothers of Holy Cross for their new school. In the fall of 1948, Brother John Baptist, CSC, told Al and his classmates to gather their belongings (and their student desks!) and move further up the hill to Notre Dame’s new building. In many ways, Al Ramadei never left The Hill.
Al was instrumental in getting the Notre Dame Alumni Association organized in the late-1970s, and he served as its first president. With that task completed, he helped to establish the Notre Dame Loyalty and Endowment Fund, Inc. in 1983 as well as the Notre Dame Golf Open in 1984. He is still active in raising funds for Notre Dame. Al and Rosalie were among the first to notify Notre Dame that they would leave a bequest to the school, thus pioneering again as charter members of The Legacy Society of Our Lady ~ Notre Dame.
“My wife and I have always believed in Quality Catholic Education for our children and our grandchildren. We have resolved that our commitment will be assured for future Notre Dame students through our bequest.”
Al and Rosalie Ramadei now reside in Hamden. They are the parents of Michael ’76, and of two daughters, Mrs. Cynthia Rector and Mrs. Sandra Fillion. Among their nine grandchildren are two Notre Dame alumni, Donald George Fillion III ’12 and Maxwell Fillion ’14. A third grandson, Christian Fillion is a member of the class of 2019. These days, Al and Rosalie travel to Notre Dame often to see Christian play soccer and lacrosse and perform with the Notre Dame Choir.
Al’s career includes many years as a teacher, and 27 years as a metrologist for Textron Lycoming. Al’s scientific expertise has led him to designate the bequest for scientific purposes. “Our bequest is designated to help establish a scholarship to promote scientific research among our Notre Dame students enabling them to enhance their academic base and further their interests in the sciences. It is imperative that today’s Notre Dame students be in the forefront of tomorrow’s scientific leaders.”
