Alfred Fiorentino

Alfred Fiorentino, age 101, of Wayne, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025.  

Born in New York City to Italian immigrants Luigi and Carmela Fiorentino, Alfred's early years reflected the immigrant experience of his time.  While his father worked as a waiter and his mother a furrier, Alfred spent his first ten years being raised by family friends in Tuxedo Park, NY - an arrangement that spoke to his parents' determination to build a better life in America.

Alfred's education began at Saint Columba School through grade 8 and then continued at the High School of Commerce in NYC.  Just two weeks after graduating from the High School of Commerce in January 1943, Alfred reported to selected service in Fort Dix.  After being trained in radar, automotive and tank mechanics, Alfred was tested by the army in his knowledge of mathematics, and upon achieving high scores, was sent to Georgetown University, Washington D. C. for an accelerated college program for engineering.  It was during a wartime leave in 1944 that a mutual friend introduced him to a beautiful woman named Angelina Catalano.  The two fell in love during a time when the war was escalating, and although Alfred's education was not yet completed, he was deployed to the Pacific Theater of WWII.  He left for the Philippines for the duration of his service, while he and Angelina kept in touch by sending one another letters until Alfred returned home.  His deployment to the Philippines placed him in the unique position of protecting Japanese prisoners of war from retribution by the local Filipinos of Luzon.

Shortly after his return, Alfred and Angelina married in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City.  After their honeymoon at Lake George, Alfred pursued his education at NYU, where he played hockey and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1952.  As their family grew with the birth of their children Fred, Diane and Karen, Alfred and Angelina decided to leave the city for the suburbs.  They lived in Ridgefield, NJ for a time before making Wayne their permanent home shortly thereafter.

Alfred's 29-year career at Picatinny Arsenal showcased his engineering brilliance.  His work on warheads and missiles, particularly in developing heat signature detection technology and corresponding protective measures, earned him military medals and led to collaborations with the Pentagon and NASA.  He retired in 1986 to care for his aging parents, demonstrating the same dedication to family that shaped his early life.

Alfred was well known for his impressive garden filled with delicious vegetables he wouldn't eat.  He notoriously preferred the junk food he playfully credited for his longevity.  His love for Disney World's Soarin' ride, casinos, Wayne Senior Club, the New York Yankees and New York Giants will be remembered by all who were lucky enough to get to know him.

Alfred will be remembered as strong-willed, determined and yet big-hearted and generous.  He held high expectations for others and showed this with a tough love that helped make him into who he was.  His strong will is best evidenced by his refusal to use a walker even after turning 100!  Those who knew Alfred best will know that his strict tough love went soft when it came to his loving wife, Angelina, of 73 years. She was the real boss and everyone knew it.

In his final years, Alfred found comfort in the care of his granddaughter Kaitlyn and her husband David, who purchased his home and lived with him.  His legacy lives on through his children, Fred and his wife Nina Fiorentino, Diane Cottrell, and Karen and her husband Ed Siwicki Jr.; his grandchildren: Michael and his wife Katie Fiorentino, Kristi and her husband James Smith, Daniel and his wife Ann Marie Cottrell, Jacqueline and her husband Keith Heyman, Christine Cottrell, Kaitlyn and her husband David Rose, Edward Siwicki III, Drew Siwicki; and his great grandchildren: Arianna and Dominic Fiorentino, Skyler Smith, Daniel and Madeline Cottrell, Zachary and Brooke Heyman, and Charlotte Rose.