Andrew Aufiero, who served as the president of the Certified Floorcovering Installers from 2004 to 2006, died July 28 while awaiting a liver transplant. He was 53. Remembered for his passion in promoting the needs of certified installers and his quirky sense of humor, Aufiero and his wife Cynthia were instrumental in keeping installers both informed and entertained.
CFI board member Daris Mulkin recalled Aufiero as a kind man who personally welcomed him into the CFI group. “Karen and I were at Surfaces shortly after being certified, and I was wearing my CFI shirt and did not know anyone,” he said. “From a distance we heard ‘Wait up, CFI!’ It was Andrew and Cynthia and they immediately made us feel welcome.”
Aufiero greatly admired the CFI organization, going so far as to planning to hold his wedding during the 1997 convention. “Andrew wanted to get married at the CFI Convention with all the installers holding power stretchers for he and Cynthia to walk under dressed in the finest of wedding attire,” CFI noted in a statement shortly after Aufiero’s death. “Of course, that didn’t happen. But when they were married, Andrew and Cynthia sent a photo of themselves holding a Crain 520 swivel head power stretcher.”
Aufiero first became involved with CFI in 1993. He called the headquarters and spoke with CFI CEO Jim Walker for two hours about the state of installation. After getting off the phone, he immediately registered himself and Cynthia for the first CFI certification event. Soon after, they organized the New Jersey chapter of CFI and then became part of the CFI Certification Team.
“Andrew was never afraid to voice his opinion if he thought something was not good for the association,” Walker said. “He was so proud to be a part of an organization that makes a difference. When the opportunity came to present the Master-II program, he was at the first certification proudly displaying his skills. When he was needed to conduct a certification event anywhere, he and Cynthia were there. For any type of CFI program, these two were counted on to always do more than their share.”
Aufiero is survived by his wife Cynthia; daughters Anneliese and Autumn; son William; mother Elizabeth; brothers Joseph, Raymond and Patrick; and extended family.
A memorial service is planned for Aug. 4 at 128 Paddock Drive in Columbus, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI).
