Obituary of Albert F. Pishioneri
Albert F. Pishioneri, 98, of Freehold, New Jersey, entered eternal life on May 13th, 2019. His wife, Lillian Frichtel Pishioneri, whom he married on November 27, 1947, preceded him in death on December 22, 2013.
Mr. Pishioneri was born on January 30, 1921 in Hillsville, Pennsylvania and had resided in Ellwood City and Apollo, Pennsylvania before moving to Freehold, New Jersey 50 years ago. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Church Freehold.
Mr. Pishioneri was a proud veteran and served in World War II as an Aerial Gunner, completing a tour of duty with the 446th Bombardment Group, 707th Bomb Squadron, and the 2nd Air Division of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in England, 1944 & 1945. He later wrote a book, “ Me, Mom and World War II”, which documented both his 35 missions over Europe and his loving, long distance communications with his mother at home in Ellwood City.
Mr. Pishioneri began his football career as a center for the Ellwood City High School football team in the late ‘30s. He continued as a center through High School and received a scholarship to play football at Youngstown State in Ohio. He left Youngstown prematurely in order to join the Army Air Corp and fight against the threat of Adolf Hitler.
Returning to civilian life after the war, he began classes at St. Vincent College in Latrobe Pennsylvania. And, once again, joined the St. Vincent Bearcat football team as a first-string center. At St. Vincent he was inducted into the American Colleges Who’s Who. He also started the St. Vincent barbershop quartet, “The Harmony Cats”. The quartet toured and performed in many Pennsylvania outlets. He received the Letterman of Distinction award, now known as the Athletic Hall of Fame, in 1988.
Graduating St. Vincent with a BA teaching degree, Mr. Pishioneri taught American History for many years in Vandergrift and Tarentum at Har-Brack High School. He coached football while teaching through those thirty-some years.
In January 1967 Mr. Pishioneri left Western Pennsylvania and headed to New Jersey with his wife, Lillian, and their three children. He worked in New York City for the American Host program for several years.
Because of his love of teaching and coaching, Mr. Pishioneri returned to the classroom and football field, first in Jamesburg NJ, then in the East Brunswick school system at Churchill Jr. High in 1969. There he enjoyed the classroom, student activity, and coaching the game of football until his retirement in 1985.
Mr. Pishioneri made every day count during his lifetime. He served as Town Council President in the town of Apollo. He served as Choir Director at St. James the Greater church in Apollo.
Mr. Pishioneri brought entertainment everywhere he went because of his love of guitar, saxophone, accordion, harmonica…and if there happened to be a piano around, he could sit and play for hours! Sing-alongs were the norm in the Pishioneri household! Learning to harmonize began early in life and the first music his children learned were all the football fight songs!
He enjoyed good food and was a devoted customer at King’s Restaurant, Dusals Restaurant (known as “Vinnie”) and Dunkin’ Donuts, all in Freehold,Wooley's Fish Market in Howell, and when in Elwood City he enjoyed a meal at Red Hots and most especially enjoyed those who took such good care of him!
In addition to furniture maker, ornament maker, painter, and artist, his greatest attributes were that of son, brother, father, Pap-Pap, uncle, husband, friend, mentor, follower of Christ. May his influence on all of us continue today and always and may he always know how much he meant to us.
He was predeceased by his devoted wife of 66 years, Lillian E. Frichtel, and several loving brothers, Frank (Hilda), Joseph (Virginia), Bruno (Naomi), Jimmy (Ellen Mae) and sisters Carrie (Lou) Ippolito, Mary (Phil) Tammaro. He is celebrated by his two devoted sons, Lawrence Joseph and Richard Joseph; a daughter and son-in-law, Felicia Margaret and Lawrence Jesse Battaglia; one sister, Betty (Phil) Pesce and one brother, Earl Pishioneri (Sylvia); five grandchildren, Andrea and husband John, Cara and husband Kevin, Anthony and wife Janine, Lauren and husband Matthew and Michael and wife Gina; His treasured great grand-children, Nicholas, Andrew, Luke, Benjamin, Elijah, Lillian and Isabelle. Most importantly, Mr. Pishioneri leaves behind his and his late wife’s loving care giver and special friend, Joy.
The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold on Thursday at 9:45 a.m. followed by interment at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown.
In lieu of flowers, you are asked to consider making a donation via the following website: https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/about/make-a-donation/ to families who have lost servicemen/women, and could use any assistance. Please review the information on the website before donating.
