Alfred Samuel Vedro

Alfred S. Vedro (Alfredo), 90, of Atlantic Beach FL, passed away on March 27, 2026. He was born on August 15, 1935 in Trenton, NJ.

In his own words …

His given name was alfredo, after his grandfather in the Italian tradition, and duly registered by the midwife who attended his birth. His mother legally changed it to Alfred because she didn’t want him identified as the child of immigrants, but he didn’t learn this until late in life and decided to celebrate his heritage by using alfredo thereafter.

He began his atypical educational career when he entered a Roman Catholic Seminary as a high school freshman, but left two years later “when I discovered girls.”

As an undergraduate major in English and History, and after earning his Master’s degree at Rutgers University, he taught high school English and theater for six years and then worked as an in-house educational consultant at a New York publisher, Bantam Books.

While there he wrote the Introduction to the first paperback publication of the classic American novel The Red Badge of Courage, several articles for educational publications, and editor/contributor of a monthly educational journal.

Two years later he joined Encyclopedia Britannica Films in Chicago as Director of Humanities, and then Bell and Howell’s newly-formed educational film division. In 1967 he was made “an offer I couldn't refuse” from a new educational publishing company in San Francisco as its producer of audiovisual materials.

In 1970 he formed Al Vedro Associates, Inc, independent producer of film and video for corporate clients in the pharmaceutical industry and a variety of other businesses. Over his career he won many awards for excellence and achievement in his profession.

Among what he always considered to be his minor accomplishments, he performed as a chef in a series of videos for a California supermarket chain, a first round winner on Jeopardy, and private pilot for his business and pleasure.

Retiring to Florida in 1999 with his beloved wife Judy, they traveled broadly and frequently throughout Europe and America. After Judy’s death in 2008, after a joyful 50 year marriage, he lived six months a year over the next 12 years in their cherished and treasured Florence, Italy.

He is survived by his daughters Cynthia (Gary) Beckenbaugh and Jennifer (Scott) Palmer; grandchildren, Meghan, Justin, Seth, Sarah, Garrett, Gage; his brother Al Vedro of Rhode Island, and many extended family members and friends who became family. He was predeceased by his wife Judy.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday April 26, 2026 from 1:00-3:00pm at Salumeria 104 Restaurant, 60 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach FL 32233.