Name: Visitation for Albert Gerald "Al" Strauss
Start: 2026-01-30T11:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-01-30T12:00:00.000Z
Location: Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home

Albert "Al" Gerald Strauss
May 19, 1946 - January 23, 2026
Albert "Al" Gerald Strauss, 79, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026, at home in Fairfield, CT, after a long illness. Al was born in Bridgeport, CT, on May 19, 1946, son to the late Harold and Ruth Raffel Strauss.
Al is survived by his devoted life partner of 42 years, Mimi Vargas; daughter, Rachel, and son-in-law Steve Manners, of Wilton, CT; his grandchildren, Sarah and Riley; Mimi's children, Bobby Vargas, Dawn Schmidt, and Lisa Portela; grandchildren, Debbie Benson, Nick and Tony Hernandez, and Brandon Pianello; and great-grandchildren, Jordyn and Angeli. He is also survived by his dear sister Susan and brother-in-law Sheldon Schneider, of Miami, FL, nephew and nieces Geoff, his wife Lisa, and Jill Schneider of Wilton, CT, and cherished cousins.
Al, a natural athlete and true child of the Golden Age of the 1950s, enjoyed playing baseball and basketball in Bridgeport youth leagues, attending Wilt Chamberlain's Basketball Camp and playing point guard for Central High School where he earned a letter for his contributions. Al graduated from Bridgeport's Central High School in 1964 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from American University in 1969 with a B.A. in History and a minor in Art History. He enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves and served from 1969-1975.
During the 1970s, Al coached and refereed middle and high school basketball games for fun. He admits his basketball skills exceeded his baseball skills, but baseball was his true passion. Al set a goal to visit all 30 professional baseball parks in the U.S. and achieved this objective with his daughter and grandchildren in 2019.
Al enjoyed a successful 30+ year career in sales with Flygt Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial submersible pumps, and traveled extensively throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for work. He enjoyed leading the Philadelphia sales office and working on projects like the installation of the 911 Memorial fountains at the former World Trade Center in New York. In his retirement, Al enjoyed painting, spending time with his grandchildren, traveling to National Parks and state capitals with Mimi, and listening to his favorite music genres including doo-wop, Motown, and hits of the 1980s.
Al will be remembered for his infectious smile, great stories, love of the Yankees, and devotion to his family. He and his family truly appreciate the dedication of his longtime caregivers, Jessica, Nick, and Mary, as well as other friends who contributed to Al's quality of life.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30, at 12:00 p.m. at Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Rd., Fairfield, CT. Interment will follow at Loyalty Cemetery at 172 Burroughs Road in Fairfield. For more information, or to share a condolence message, visit www.greensfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org.

Published by Connecticut Post from Jan. 28 to Jan. 29, 2026.

Memories and Condolences
for Albert Strauss

Sponsored by Abraham L. Green & Son Funeral Home.

4 Entries

Jackie Weide Coppola

February 3, 2026

To Al's dearest family and closest friends,
Al and I were both proud graduates of Central High School Class of 1964.
Over the course of those four years, he and I were in many classes together. The photo of him in our Senior Yearbook is how he always looked; I never knew him not to have a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes!
I reconnected with him at our class reunions and discovered he was still the
same great guy I had first met way back when we were teenagers!
It's said no one ever truly dies if at least one person remembers them.
That being said, Al will be remembered long after all of his classmates have joined him. Rest in peace, Baseball Guy.
Jackie Weide Coppola

Aaron Handleman

February 2, 2026

Rachel and Mimi. I will miss my dear friend of 76 years who brought light and happiness to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He loved you both without conditions and his family. It was my honor to give his eulogy and I thank you for choosing me to speak about loving care person. We are all better for hanging known Al. May he rest in peace and his wonderful memory sustain us. Aaron Handleman

Maureen Vonick

January 31, 2026

To Mimi and Rachel: I'm so sorry to hear of Al's passing. Know that I am thinking of you both and hope that time and happy memories bring you peace and heal your hearts.

I worked with Al in the regional office at Flygt. Al was one of the nicest people to work with and a wonderful friend. We had a lot of laughs and good times which I will always remember. You will never be forgotten, Al. Even now, thinking of your smile, makes me smile. Godspeed, Al! Until we meet again, my friend.

May your memory be for a blessing.

Talia Shafir (Barbara Shapiro)

January 29, 2026

Albert Strauss will be especially remembered for his smiling eyes. We went to school together starting in Kindergarten. At 5, he was definitely my first crush. In later years, he always greeted me with a warm welcome. At the last Central High reunions, he was eager to tell me about his painting and later , his small triumphant moments of breaking through the horrific disease that took his memories but never his sweet soul. Al your physical presence will be missed in some way by all who knew you. But your memory, the joyful and caring imprint you left upon all who knew you, knows eternity. My loving condolences to the family.