Our Story
About the Alberico Scholarship Foundation
The Alberico Scholarship Foundation seeks to improve the path to education for deserving college-bound students of talent, merit and need through the administration of educational grants.
Martin G. “Bubby” Alberico
Martin G. “Bubby” Alberico was a vibrant individual who was deeply committed to family and friends, and most especially, his mother. Bubby was a tremendously loyal and incredibly sweet soul who was happiest in the presence of his family and his dogs. He had a comfortable innocence and made a positive impact on everyone around him. He was deceivingly bright, with an almost intuitive mathematical aptitude.
Bubby had a uniquely quirky personality, and used his offbeat sense of humor to tease and entertain us. He relished the family’s traditional Christmas Eve ravioli-eating contest, and challenged his nephews – who adored him – to eating contests. His crushing victory – consuming 56 ravis in one sitting – is a record that still stands. He shared his love of movies and often made us laugh when he often quoted the best lines.
Shockingly and sadly, on June 2, 2003, he tragically ended his own life. In the wake of Martin’s suicide, his family and friends struggled to come to terms with his death, and tried to find a way to celebrate how he lived his life.
Julius “Butch” Alberico
Julius “Butch” Alberico was the eldest son of Julius Sr. and Emelia Alberico. From the day Butch was born he was his own man, always putting other people ahead of himself. When his father passed away at a young age, Butch stepped in to mentor his siblings and support his mother while finishing his studies at Wabash College. He met the true love of his life, Pam, “the girl next door,” to whom he was completely devoted, and together they raised their four wonderful children.
Throughout Butch’s life people used many words to describe him including strong, brilliant, hilarious, handsome, engaging, commanding, strategic, innovative, reliable and kind, but the word that defined him best is selfless. He had so many sayings for which he was known, but none more famous than “Don’t do what is convenient, do what is right.” He lived by these words, never wavered from them, and left behind an entire generation of people who are inspired by his actions. He did everything for those he loved and even those he didn’t know, and left the world a better place than he found it. We are all so thankful for the time we had with him.
The Foundation
After Martin’s death, we were left with a fierce determination to create something positive. The Martin G. Alberico Scholarship Foundation was formed as a way to pay tribute to Martin’s memory and continue his legacy of love. We thought the best way to honor Martin’s memory and celebrate him would be to pass on his love of his family, community, and his singular life through establishing educational scholarships for students in need. In 2007, the Martin G. Alberico Scholarship Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization. In 2009, the Foundation began granting scholarships to college bound high school seniors. Since then, we have awarded over $40,000 in scholarships to Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana students.
When, in 2013, we suddenly and tragically lost our brother, Julius (Butch), we were, again, devastated. He was a pillar to his family and friends. Being deprived of his enormous presence, we sought to honor his legacy as well. It is because of his lasting impact that we sought to include his memory with that of Martin’s in promoting education and promise for deserving students. It is for these reasons, and many more, that the Martin G. Alberico Scholarship Foundation has evolved to the Alberico Scholarship Foundation. As our Foundation continues to grow, our mission will remain strong. We will change lives by using the lessons Martin & Julius taught us: Cherish one another, look to the future, and make the world a better place. We will continue to commemorate the force of their lives and the heritage of love that Martin and Julius Alberico left us.