Mr. Alfred A. Malena Sr.

Al Malena, Sr. June 9, 1927 - March 29, 2019 Alfred Anthony Malena, Sr., of Roswell, GA, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 29th at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Celeste, who passed away in 2006. Born on June 9th, 1927 in New York City to Francesco and Rosina Cirignano Malena, Al was the youngest of six children and would forever be known to his loving family as ‘Sonny.’ Al graduated as Valedictorian of his high school class, despite missing a significant amount of school due to rheumatic fever as a child. He joined the Army in 1945 and served at General McArthur’s Supreme Headquarters in Tokyo immediately following the end of WWII. Returning from service, Al attended New York University and graduated with honors in 1951. He began his career as a salesman working for Uniroyal Products where he met Celeste Larsen, his secretary and the love of his life. He said he fell in love with her the very first time he saw her and has been in love with her every day since. At the time of her passing they were married for 51 years. Later employed by the Bibb Company of Macon, GA, he served as their New York sales representative for over 30 years until retirement in 1995. Al and Celeste raised two sons, Dan and Al, Jr., in Bayside, New York. The family attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church where Al was a lector, and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society. The family enjoyed bicycling along the Cross Island Parkway, where they’d stop at Fort Totten to enjoy views of the Long Island Sound. Al and Celeste would often take long, meandering drives along the shore of Long Island in search of the best Italian restaurant, but their favorite eatery was the Omega Diner where they’d meet their Bayside friends for breakfast after church. Al and Celeste followed their sons to Georgia in 2005 to be closer to their grandchildren, Marykate, Marymargaret, Melissa, and Matthew. They settled into The Orchards of Crabapple where Al has been an active member of the community, volunteering to serve on committees and playing poker. He has made many friends who have lovingly looked after him these past few years as his health has declined. Al would often tell his grandchildren he led the aerobics class at the clubhouse and class couldn’t start without him. When his grandchildren looked surprised that he was an octogenarian aerobics instructor, he’d say it was because he was the only one who knew how to work the VCR for their workout VHS tape. Faith has always been important to Al, so he joined the Church of St. Thomas Aquinas upon his arrival in Georgia 14 years ago. He was an usher and a member of the Hospitality Committee. Well into his 80’s, Al walked to and from daily morning mass at St. Thomas, often taking a detour to McDonald’s for the ‘senior coffee.’ Al is survived by his son Dan, daughter-in-law Maryann, granddaughters Marykate and Marymargaret, and his son Al, Jr., daughter-in-law Annette, granddaughter Melissa and grandson Matthew, and many, many friends, family, nieces, and nephews. While they are all greatly comforted to know Al is now reunited with his wife Celeste, and with his much-loved parents and siblings, they will miss him very much. Visitation will be Thursday, April 4th beginning at 4:00pm at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075. A Funeral Service will begin at 7:00pm in the funeral home’s chapel. Rev. Mr. Steve Shawcross, a Deacon from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, will officiate. Interment will be at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA where there will be a brief graveside service for family and close friends at 9:45am on Friday, April 5th.