Alfred Ventrella

Alfred G. Ventrella, age 89, passed away peacefully with loving family gathered by his side, on Friday, April 15, 2022.

Born and raised in Paterson, Al was the youngest of Italian immigrant parents Eustachio and Teresina (Carafa) Ventrella’s six children. He graduated from Central High School in Paterson with the Class of 1951 and then from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Pharmacy. Proud to have received his higher education there, he remained a staunch Florida Gators fan his whole life.

Al began his career working as a pharmacist at Park Ridge Pharmacy and subsequently bought Franklin Lakes Pharmacy on Franklin Avenue. He served the town, always with a smile, friendly word and great advice for over 20 years. He later purchased Michaels Pharmacy located at 320 Union Boulevard in Totowa. The purchase of this pharmacy also had a nostalgic element as Al had worked at Michaels starting at age 14 as a bicycle delivery boy. Both of his stores were run as true small-town family and community establishments and throughout his years in business, he employed many a family member and friend.

Alfred was the beloved husband of Angela (Pete) Ventrella. They met way back in their high school years. Originally, as a devout catholic, Angela had plans of going into the convent but God had different plans for her life and she became an English teacher. Angie and Al began to date and soon fell in love. They exchanged their marriage vows before God at St. Michael’s R.C. Church in Paterson on June 25, 1961. After a joyous reception at the Friar Tuck Inn in Cedar Grove, they honeymooned in Florida.

Al and Angie’s first home as husband and wife was a house in Oakland, NJ.  Soon after, they moved to an apartment in Paterson where they were blessed with the birth of their two sons, Alfred Gerard, Jr. and Samuel. They subsequently bought a home in Wayne where they spent the majority of their marriage years at 215 Andover Drive. It was while living in this home that they welcomed their third child, a baby girl who they named Maria. The family also included his faithful dogs Trixie, Sandy and Rusty.  

Al and Angie adored each other and were the best of friends. Together with their children they enjoyed memorable vacations down the Jersey shore in Wildwood Crest, to the Bahamas and Disney World. Al and Angie took annual international trips to Paris, Rome, London, and Germany to name just a few of the many places in the world that they were able to visit together. Sadly, Angie became ill and passed away in 1979 at the young age of 44. Al’s family finds comfort in knowing that now, after 43 years, Al and Angie are reunited.

During his life, Al filled his spare time with many enjoyable activities. One of his favorite places was his kitchen where he was an accomplished cook making his specialties including homemade pasta, baked clams, baked beans, and French onion soup. He even grew his own tomatoes on farmland behind his house that he leased from his friend Rocky. After harvesting the tomatoes, he would can them – up to 500 quarts per year! It was an annual event that he enjoyed doing with his family. Cooking went perfectly with one of his other loves – entertaining. Al hosted all the family holidays whipping up many of his famous dishes and family graduations where the tradition was having a beefsteak dinner. His pool parties were major events with upwards of one hundred guests.

Al loved going to Atlantic City and sometimes to Las Vegas where blackjack was his game of choice. While there, he enjoyed eating out, going to shows and always made friends with the other patrons, dealers, pit bosses and wait staff.  He bought a condo and subsequently a townhome in Smithville, NJ where he would go to the beach at Brigantine and make trips to AC at night.

He also purchased a condo in Cape Coral, Florida where he visited frequently and eventually his beloved condo in Venice, Florida where he spent more and more time and which ultimately became his primary residence right up until the end of 2021. He loved his view of the pool and golf course while sitting on his lanai.

Al had a genuine warmth and approachableness that made it easy for him to make friends wherever he went. Striking up a conversation with total strangers was second nature to Al. Favorite places to dine out included E & V Ristorante in Paterson, many events at the Brownstone House in Paterson, the King George/Park Wayne Diner in Wayne and at Dolce Italiano when in Florida. At all those restaurants Al knew each waiter and waitress on a first name basis.

Al was a long-time and faithful parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church. During the last fifteen years while living in Florida, he attended Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. He lived a life of gratefulness to God for the blessings in his life and trusted Him faithfully throughout the difficult days. He was generous beyond measure. His love for his own family was immense and he considered time spent with his grandchildren to be one of life’s greatest treasures.

Al's health began to fail and he was on death's door in 2001 before receiving a liver transplant which extended his life for an incredible 21 years.  This blessing gave him a new lease on life and allowed him to see his grandchildren grow up.

Alfred was the beloved husband of Angela, blessed in marriage for 18 years until her untimely passing in 1979. He was the loving father of: Dr. Gerard Ventrella and wife Susan of Monroeville, NJ, Dr. Samuel Ventrella and wife Colleen of Mount Laurel, NJ, and Maria Targi and husband Joseph of Secaucus, NJ; cherished grandfather of: Mark, Christine, Ryan, Spencer, Rachel and Alexa; and much-loved uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his four sisters and one brother.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Alfred’s name are asked to consider:

University Hospital Foundation
(you may request that your donation be directed to the liver transplant program in his name)
To contribute by check: 150 Bergen Street, D 209 C, Newark, NJ 07103
Please designate that your gift is in memory of Alfred Ventrella

Gift of Life
To contribute by check, please make the check out to “Transplant Foundation” and mail to: Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd. St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. Please designate that your gift is in memory of Alfred Ventrella