Alfred John Pristash

Al was born in Clifton where he resided until joining the Navy in 1950. After returning home from the Navy in 1956, Al began his career at Hoffman La Roche Pharmaceuticals where he worked until his retirement. It was during his employment at Hoffman La Roche that Al met many of his dear friends with whom he formed lifelong friendships. He enjoyed playing handball, bowling, and pinochle with his friends and colleagues, but golf was his true passion. It was with his dear friend, Chris Condon that Al made what he called the journey of a lifetime, traveling around the world playing golf at every major course. They began their trip in San Francisco and then it was off to Hawaii, Japan, China, India, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Paris, London, Scotland, Australia, and Ireland. Al and Chris were privileged to play on some of the most prestigious golf courses in the world including Royal Country Don, Royal Dornoch and St. Andrew's, Hirono and Cheltenham. They also played many of the major courses here in America as well. Al's passion for golf was matched only by his love of "his NY Giants", and the Mets. While working at Hoffman La Roche Al continued to "live life to the fullest", by traveling every opportunity he could, and these travels often included cruises with his "HLR buddies". It was on one of these cruises where he met and later married his wife, Susan Carmichael. Together in West Milford, NJ they raised her four children from a previous marriage, Patricia, Helen, John, and Charles, and welcomed two of their own children, Nicholas, and Daniel. Despite the challenges of raising four stepchildren and two of his own, Al embraced fatherhood and took on the role which became his driving force. While raising six children and working full time at HLR as a chemist, Al managed to acquire his pharmaceutical license, and began working for Rite Aid Pharmacies where he soon became a Regional Manager. Upon retiring from HLR, Al began working as a pharmacist in the VA Hospital in East Orange, NJ until retiring. In 1987 Al relocated to Robbinsville, NJ where he lived for the next 25 years. If you were privileged enough to have known Al you would know he was a very dedicated and hardworking man. He often worked 60-70 hours a week to make sure his children had the best of everything. He was a very loyal father, friend, and colleague. He took great pride in both of his sons, Nick and Dan, as well as his stepchildren. He often said it did not matter if we shared the same father, what mattered was the love and memories we shared, and the life we had built since he came into our lives. His presence at our school activities, sporting events, and life accomplishments were proof of his dedication and love to each of us. He encouraged his children to meet challenges head on, not to succumb to adversity, but to find a way to persevere even in the most difficult situations. Al played an important part in many lives – not just the lives of his children and friends, but also the lives of his children's friends. He was never short on advice, was always willing to lend a helping hand, and more than willing to do whatever you asked. The last four years of his life, Al resided in Williamstown, NJ at his daughter's home. Although we were unable to take him to IN to visit his sister-in-law Anne Steele one last time and "have some of her delicious pies, his days were still memorable. It was here that he enjoyed watching the NY Giants and Mets since he could no longer attend the games for which he still had season tickets. He found happiness in visiting with his sons and their wives when they came to visit, watching his youngest grandson, Gordon, swim in "Patricia's pool", giving Patricia advice on how to improve her vegetable garden because he had "worked on a farm as teen and knew how the professionals did stuff", sneaking treats to Smokey, watching Mets games with his grandson, Charlie as they discussed Charlie's games, telling his grandson Peter, " those Giants are going to do it this year, Pete, what do you think?' as they devoured another gourmet meal Bob prepared for them – especially "those shrimp that are as big as my fist, and the crabcakes that could make Bob famous". One thing that always brought a smile to Al's face was when his granddaughter Amanda visited or called. He was amazed and concerned that "she was running too much, Patricia, and not enjoying herself enough because she worked too hard". Al's last travel adventure was to Rehoboth where he went on vacation with us. He enjoyed eating out on the deck at the Lighthouse Restaurant, but was shocked to find that "not only can Smokey eat in the restaurant with us, but they give him his own bowl and food!" Al reassured me three weeks ago that he had lived the most incredible life, had traveled more than most people can even dream about, loved each one of us and was proud of us, and had "eaten the best food in the world since moving in with us, but it made me gain too much weight". He wanted me to thank everyone for all they did to make his life as wonderful as it was, but I want to thank him for making our life so complete. Al was predeceased by his beloved wife, Susan (nee McDaniel) Pristash in 2012; by a son, Charles Carmichael; and by his two sisters: Helen Walsh and Florence Dalton. He is survived by five children: Nicholas Pristash II and his wife, Yoon Jae (Montague, NJ), Alfred Daniel Pristash and his wife, Katherine (Roebling, NJ), Patricia Fratticcioli and her husband, Robert (Williamstown, NJ), Helen Sullivan and her husband, John (Doyle, TN) and John Carmichael (Trenton, GA); sister-in-law and special friend, Anna Steele (Metamora, IN); and his ten grandchildren: Peter Fratticcioli, Amanda Fratticcioli, Charles Fratticcioli (Williamstown, NJ), Andrew Carmichael, Nannie Carmichael (Doyle, TN), Gordon Pristash (Montague, NJ), Abigail Pennington (Alabama), Sophia Carmichael, Matthew Carmichael (Trenton, GA). Funeral services will be Friday 10:30 am from the Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton and 11:00 am at St. Paul RC Church, cor. Union Avenue and Second Street, Clifton. Interment to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Saddle Brook. Visiting will be Friday morning prior to the funeral from 9:30am-10:30am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Williamstown Sunrise Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 331, Williamstown, NJ 08094 would be preferred and appreciated.