Alfonse Pasquale Meccariello

In loving Memory of Alfonse Pasquale Meccariello November 27, 1934 to July 17, 2024 Alfonse Pasquale Meccariello was affectionately known as Al by most friends and family, but if you were immediate family or a niece or nephew, you would know him as the original Fonzy. He was born on November 27, 1934, in Rotterdam, New York. He grew up in Schenectady as a very athletic young man, playing both basketball and baseball. He was a passionate Yankee fan, as you can’t be one otherwise! After moving to Virginia, he continued to watch every game (thank you MLB channel!) He grew up in a Catholic Italian home. He was particularly proud of his father being a first generation Italian-American and his mother being originally from Italy. He liked to surprise people by speaking Italian on trips to Italy or simply at a local Italian restaurant. He graduated from St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland in 1958 with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. He also took additional courses at Siena College, Russell Sage College, and had a Real Estate Brokers Paralegal Certificate from Utica College. He spent most of his professional career in various banks across New York State. He retired as a Vice President and Trust Officer at M&T Bank in Fayetteville, New York. After he retired, he actively invested for himself and several clients and for fun, he prepared taxes until this year. He served on various councils and boards for St Elizabeth’s Hospital and Notre Dame High School, both in Utica, New York. He was on Finance committees for St. Matthew’s Catholic Church (Voorheesville, New York) and St Anne’s Catholic Church (Whitesboro, New York). He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Ambassadors of Mary at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, Virginia. On November 21, 1964, he married the love of his life, Frances Rose Streckfus and together they were blessed with two children, Anne and Leo. They lived most of their lives together in New York State (Schenectady, Voorheesville, Whitesboro and Fayetteville) until they retired to Gainesville, Virginia in 2002. His children were witnesses to a beautiful marriage, they were always holding hands and in each other found their perfect and eternal match. He lived his life as a devout Catholic. His faith defined who he was as a person; it was his identity. He was a friend to all, endlessly kind, generous and patient, eager to be of assistance to anyone in need, equally ready to share a laugh, or a shoulder and was known for his amazing advice. He never said an unkind word about anyone, never complained about anything, including his cancer diagnosis, and the years of harsh treatments. He was famous for saying “I am in God’s Hands, what better place to be?” Anyone who knew Al, sensed that he was a very special man. As a humble man, Al used to joke that he wanted his obituary to be simple and to the point and say “He lived. He died.” His family would like to edit that to “He lived his life fully, he loved passionately, and he died as he wished, at home surrounded by loved ones completely at peace knowing that he was going to Heaven, the place he worked so hard all his life to go.” He will be missed tremendously. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Liberato and Antoinette Laudanna, a sister, Theresa Salvione (Dominick), his brothers, Thomas Meccariello (Jean) and Robert Meccariello (Joyce). He leaves behind his beloved wife, Frances Streckfus Meccariello, his daughter, Anne Smith (Derrick), son, Leo Meccariello (Ann). He treasured the many phone calls, visits and fun times spent with the grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Anthony Meccariello, Gina Meccariello Ruffo (Ricky), Drew Smith, Sam Smith and Andrew Meccariello plus numerous nieces and nephews. He also greatly cared for the children who were later added to the family, Elizabeth and Erin Olmstead. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society ( www.cancer.org or 1-800-227-2345) or The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia (https://osbva.org/about-us/ ).

Alfonse Pasquale Meccariello

November 27, 1934 - July 17, 2024