This exposure created a deep love of the classics and was his inspiration to become a sculptor, where he later incorporated the time for this interest while practicing medicine.
He studied chemistry, was a standout pitcher on the baseball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949.
After finishing his military service he relocated back to Queens to begin a medical career as a private practice physician.
After he gained some experience in private practice he decided to further his medical education and began his fellowship (medicine) in nephrology (under J.E.
In 1985 he was granted the title of clinical assistant professor in medicine from the University of California, Los Angeles.
He became well known in 1984 when he pioneered the first bioethics advisory committee in the United States at the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center.
Some of Cifarelli's work has also been showcased at The Sculptors III Gallery in Palm Springs, California.
At the time of his diagnosis he stated that he did not want to be put on life support, which reflected the views that he stressed during his career.