Editor’s Note: In honor of the many everyday Staten Islanders who give back, make change, inspire others, advocate and/or care about their community, we are highlighting some of the standouts, and honoring them as Staten Island’s Brightest Lights of 2025.
Staten Island’s Brightest Lights of 2025: Lou Alfano
When tragedy struck, Staten Island dad Lou Alfano chose a path few could imagine—turning heartbreak into hope. After losing his teenage daughter in a devastating car crash, Alfano refused to let her memory fade into sorrow. Instead, he launched a mission to promote driver safety, determined to spare other families the pain his own endured. His story is one of resilience, fueled by love and a relentless drive to make roads safer for young drivers.
“You die twice. Once when you leave this earth and once when your name is uttered for the very last time,” Alfano explained. “So, if we could keep Madison’s name alive for way beyond my lifetime, then we at least know she’ll live on in spirit.”
Here is his story, originally published Sept. 22, 2025:
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Rossville resident Lou Alfano is turning personal tragedy into a mission to save lives through an innovative take on driver education.
Alfano’s daughter Madison, 18, was a 2023 graduate of Tottenville High School and a freshman at Monmouth University majoring in journalism and minoring in photography…