RIP Lou Puliafico ...

Post date: Feb 6, 2019 6:49:05 PM

Unfortunately, I had no idea that one of our

inspiring Fencing stories had come to an end

towards the end of October last year (2018).

Louis Puliafico proved to many that Fencing

is not exclusively a "young man's (or woman's)

game" when he joined Riverside Fencing

Center (helmed at the time by Randy Bean)

at the spry age of 55. Lou kept at it, building

his skills and getting better and better by the

week, until for health reasons, his activity and

attendance were curtailed.

I always enjoyed fencing with Lou and watching

his progress and was authentically pleased

whenever he properly scored points when

bouting against me, with other students, or when

he participated in tournaments here in Southern

California.

Even though Lou hadn't been present at RFC

for some time, I always regarded his experience

as a success story, and frequently mentioned

how he started with us as an example for any

adult/parent considering trying it for him/herself.

Last Friday, 2/1/2019, Lou's gear "came home"

to RFC as it was bequeathed back to us by his

family, along with his notes taken during all the

classes over his time with us. Reading / seeing

his progression in our sport reflected on those

pages rekindled my appreciation for his presence,

participation, and friendship over the years that

I knew him.

Thank you Lou.

RIP.

- Dale Gerlach