Alcouer Gardens, New Jersey's preferred alternative for assisted living for those with alzheimer's and dementia celebrated our resident, Albert J. Carroccia, Sr.'s 100th Birthday! Albert's family and friends joined our staff in the celebration, as well as the honorable Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, who took the time away from celebrating the 250th year anniversary of Toms River at the annual food fest, to present Albert with an honorable certificate.
Albert was born on May 6, 1917, He is a man of many facets, referred to as being a "renaissance man"" before his time, he has been a trumpet playing, hammer swinging, clay building, soda making young man who grew up in Jamaica, Queens, NY with four siblings - Rose, Frank, Joseph and Dominick, who just celebrated his 102nd birthday!
When Albert entered the Army, he entertained the troops by playing trumpet in the band. On November 7, 1942, while home on leave, Albert married the love of his life, Christine Celiberti. He and his bride went on to raise four children. In 1966 ,the Metropolitan Opera House was calling his name and he couldn't pass up that opportunity. For him, it seemed so much better to be inside with beautiful music instead of building homes in the elements. Albert's love of music and theater then took him to the big lights of Broadway! He worked both jobs for years.
His next adventure was New Jersey. With a host of family workers lead by cousin, Peter Rapanaro, a beautiful family home was built in the prestigious neighborhood of Englewood Cliffs, N.J. that kept the family happy for years. Reluctantly, later it was time for retirement in Toms River, N.J. Albert and Christine welcomed living at Holiday City South with their new community of welcoming neighbors and went on to celebrate 73 years of marital bliss.
Albert has been a very happy year long resident at Alcoeur Gardens, Toms River, N.J. , his new home where he receives the best of care. Today, his family share in wishing Albert a wonderful 100 years of life on this earth, here in the U.S.A. Daughters, Virginia Campfield and Christine Geraczynski, and sons-in-law, Allan Campfield and Bill Geraczynski, and Grandson, Billy Geraczynski are here celebrating and thanking Dad and Pop-Pop for life lessons learned.
Happy 100th Birthday!