Albert J. Visintainer Jr.

STRONG — Albert James Visintainer Jr., 90, first cousin to St. Pauline Visintainer and owner of Visintainer's Motel, Lounge and Restaurant in Mount Carmel, a resident of First and Oak streets, Strong, and formerly of Atlas until fire destroyed his home in 1975, passed away Saturday morning, May 27, 2017, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

He was born on Sept. 9, 1926, in Mount Carmel, a son of the late Albert and Emma (Sandri) Visintainer.

Al was a 1944 graduate of Mount Carmel High School.

He was a decorated World War II U.S. Army veteran who served in the 82nd Airborne Division.

On Nov. 25, 1954, in the former St. Peter Church, Mount Carmel, he married the former Henrietta Staskiel, who survives. The late Msgr. Francis Dinkle presided at the wedding.

In 1960, Al and his late brother, Louis Visintainer, opened the motel, lounge and restaurant. During the nine years before that establishment, he worked for Albertini Motors in Mount Carmel as a salesman. He then managed the Hollywood Theatre in Mount Carmel and worked for TRW, Harrisburg.

In 1991, he had the opportunity of personally meeting Pope John Paul II while attending the beatification of Mother Pauline Visintainer in Florianopolis, Brazil. While he was there, he received a first-class relic of his cousin — a piece of her finger given to him by the superior of her order. Later, he was invited to her canonization in Rome, Italy, on May 19, 2002, and again had a special audience with Pope John Paul II.

Al was a member of the former St. Peter Church, Mount Carmel, where he was an usher for more than 40 years and was a member of Holy Angels Church, Kulpmont.

He was also a member of Mount Carmel American Legion Post No. 91, where he served on the committee for the General James M. Gavin Memorial for the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association and B.P.O. Elks, Mount Carmel.

He was a member of Mount Carmel Rotary, where he served as president in 1975, and later was the first and only Rotary District 7360 governor from Mount Carmel in 1981 to 1982. Al was a recipient of the Paul Harris Award, having been a sapphire member of Rotary International.

Al was an original organizer of the Ed Romance Sports Hall of Fame in Mount Carmel. He was a supporter of the Mount Carmel football players and hosted them at spaghetti dinners for many years and was a member of the Mount Carmel Boosters Club.

He was a season ticket holder of Mount Carmel football for over 45 years.

He served as president of the Mount Carmel Chamber of Commerce. He served as president of the St. Pauline Center Board of Directors and was a member of St. Pauline Healing Heart of Jesus Society. He was treasurer of the Carmelite Over 50 Club and was a former member of the Tyrolean Club, Port Carbon.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 62 years, Henrietta Visintainer, are a nephew, Louis Visintainer Jr.; and many other nieces and nephews, great- nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents and brother he was preceded in death by a great-niece.

VISINTAINER — Albert J. Visintainer Jr., 90, of First and Oak streets, Strong, and formerly of Atlas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Friday in Holy Angels Church, Kulpmont, with the Very Rev. Martin O. Moran III as main celebrant. Entombment with military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Bear Gap. A viewing will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Pauline Visintainer Center, 1150 Chestnut St., Kulpmont. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the Mother Pauline Visintainer Religious Foundation, P.O. Box 115, 1150 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, 17834. Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, supervisor, is in charge of the arrangements. To leave a condolence for the family, please sign the guestbook at www.stutzfuneralhome.com.