Obituary of Alfonso Principe

Alfonso Al Principe of Carlsbad, CA, beloved husband of Jean L. Passalacqua Principe passed away peacefully, thirteen days before his 100th birthday on April 3, 2012. The oldest son of the late Angelo and Lucy Morgante Principe, he was born in Bridgeport on April 16, 1912. Al was a Bridgeport resident for 73 years before relocating to Carlsbad in 1987. Al will always be remembered as an honest man of deep faith, devoted to his wife and children, and a loving grandfather and great -grandfather. He greeted all with a bright smile, kind words and made friends throughout his life. A drummer in the 1930s, he and his brother Nick formed Princes Orchestra and played many of the ballroom venues in Connecticut. He continued his dance band interests and received a Special Recognition Award from The Musicians Association for his thirty years of service. During WWII, Al served in the U.S. Army as a surgical technician in a battle casualty hospital in France. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to his employment at Manning, Maxwell and Moore (Dresser Industries) where he retired in 1974 after 41 years. An active member of the Holy Name Society at St. Andrews Parish in Bridgeport and Notre Dame High School Fathers Club, he also was involved in a number of fund raising campaigns for the Diocese of Bridgeport in the 1960s. During his 38 year retirement, Al and his wife enjoyed their trips to Hawaii and seasonal vacations in Florida. While living in California, he adopted the San Diego Padres and San Diego Chargers as his new teams and attended games as often as he could. The last of eleven children, Al was most recently pre-deceased by his brother Nick, and sisters Rose Januska, Mary Hill and Philomena Minalga. In addition to his wife of 66 years, survivors include a son Richard A. Principe and loving daughter-in-law Evelyn of Monroe, a caring and faithful daughter Jeanne L. Principe of Carlsbad, three grandchildren, Elizabeth P. Oliveras and her husband Michael of Monroe, Steven R. Principe and his wife Adrienne of Concord, MA and Christopher Towart of Carlsbad, four great-grandchildren, Sophia, Tyler and Mason Principe and Hunter Oliveras. Also a sister-in-law, Nancy Buscis of Carlsbad, a brother-in-law, Peter Passalacqua of San Marcos, CA and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 11:00 a.m. in St. Jude Church, Monroe for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Long Hill Burial Grounds, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may call on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to may be made to the Annual Bishops Appeal c/o St. Jude Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe 06468.