Alexander J Gargiulo

Alexander Joseph Gargiulo

Beloved Father, Brother, Grandfather, Cousin, Uncle, and Friend

Mr. Alexander J. Gargiulo, 83, of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Nutley NJ, passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 (Ash Wednesday). Memorial visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue on Thursday, March 14 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. The memorial funeral will be conducted on Friday, March 15 at 8:45 a.m. The memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield at 10:00am. The inurnment will be at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, Paramus, with military honors.  

Mr. Gargiulo, known to his friends and family as ‘Big Al’, was born in New York City. He resided in Nutley for 30 years before moving to The Villages, Florida 15 years ago. Mr. Gargiulo served honorably in the United States Army. He was employed by Hoffman La Roche, Nutley, for 20 years before retiring. He attended Power Memorial High School and lived in both the Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods of NYC.  At 17, he pitched all 19 innings, a 1-0 shutout for The Hudson Guild Boys Club in the NYC Borough Championship at the Polo Grounds.  He served two years in the Army, playing football & baseball.  He pitched two years professionally in the Baltimore Orioles farm system for the Graceville Oilers in the old Alabama/Florida League. He also played baseball with longtime friend Fred Hill, Sr. on the East Orange Soverels.  He played professional fast pitch softball traveling around the country.  He was a volunteer coach for the Nutley Jr. Raider basketball team, the Nutley American Little League, the Nutley American Legion, and the Nutley Chiefs.  He also refereed local youth and men’s basketball leagues as well as umpiring men’s and women’s softball.  He loved and respected his players and teammates at all levels. We will always remember our loving father Al Gargiulo who gave us a lifetime of love and memories whether it be at Nichols Park, Rheinheimer field, the Nutley Park Oval, Saint Cloud Swim Club, West Orange, or Star Tavern and Holstens Ice Cream. He was also a devout NY Rangers hockey fan.  As a young man he was nicknamed “Little Sledge” after his father, “Sledgo”.

Mr. Gargiulo is survived by his beloved children Joseph Gargiulo and his wife Josephine, Michael Gargiulo and his wife Marianne, Thomas Gargiulo; his dear brother Salvator Gargiulo and his cherished grandchildren Natalie, Suzanne, Michelle Quinn and her husband Chris, Thomas Jr. and Samantha. He is also survived by his long time companion, friend, and loving and thoughtful girlfriend, Rose Haverlack.

He is predeceased by his beautiful younger sister Rosalie (nee Gargiulo) Romaglia.  His father, Liberato (“Libby”) Louis Gargiulo, who emigrated from Massa Lubrense, Italy, his mother, the beautiful Concetta Jenny (Farelli) Gargiulo; and his wise and loving Uncle Frank (Farelli) who taught him about life and the game of baseball. 

As we all are, he was many things to many people.

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