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 Dr. Alessandro DeRango12 October 1959 – 3 March 2009
Dr. Alessandro DeRango (12 October 1959 – 3 March 2009) was a mathematician who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics, associative algebras, and operator algebras. His PhD dissertation was brought under the supervision of mathematician and physicist Man-Duen Choi, who apparently has only seven students and seven descendants that have worked towards the PhD in this specific field of study. C*-algebras (pronounced "C-star") are an important area of research in functional analysis, and important tool in the theory of unitary representations of locally compact groups. DeRango’s dissertation, “C*-Algebras Associated with Homomorphisms of the Unit Circle”, was completed at the University of Toronto in 2000. DeRango died from a rare cancer in his home in Toronto. Having devoted his career to Mathematics, it was fitting that he died on Square Root Day (03-03-09), an event that happens a few times each century. Despite his repertoire in the sciences, his marked last words were “Love is eternal.”
On behalf of the DeRango family, we would like to invite you to donate in memory of Dr. Alessandro DeRango to the Trinity Organ Refurbishment Fund.
The Trinity Chapel pipe organ is more than fifty years old and in desperate need of restoration. As well as providing for the increasingly wide range of music in today's various liturgies, the “Great Organ” is regularly used by a number of special people including professionals, organ students, and the larger church choir community for rehearsals and recitals. Friends of the Chapel are committed to raising funds needed to refurbish this organ. Director of Music and Trinity College organist and choirmaster, John Tuttle, states that raising the necessary funds – about $250,000 – is vital to keeping the spirit of Trinity College alive. The DeRango family is hoping you will consider making a donation in honour of Alessandro. Those who have played or listened to the Trinity organ agree it is a jewel in the life of the College but also part of Toronto’s heritage at large. For those who have not yet heard its beautiful music, we urge you to pay a visit and experience the beauty first-hand.
It is with your help that the Trinity Chapel organ will remain a landmark of the University, the city, and the DeRango family’s personal history – so that, most importantly, the memory of Alessandro’s profound life will be kept alive and well, especially for his newborn son, Isaiah. We hope that you will contribute to this fund. To make a donation please click here. Please indicate that your donation is designated for the Trinity College Organ Refurbishment Fund in memory of Dr. Alessandro DeRango. If you would like more information about the Organ Refurbishment Fund in memory of Dr. Alessandro DeRango, please feel free to contact the family at 416-241-8900. For information about Trinity Organ, please visit the College’s website: http://www.trinity.utoronto.ca/About_Trinity/Trinity_Profiles/Organ_Priority.htm We thank you in advance for your donation, and for honouring the family’s wishes. This initiative will clearly help to keep Alessandro alive in our hearts, as it is a true reflection of him. The DeRango Family |
