Alfred Pantaleone

Alfred Salvatore Anthony Pantaleone - “ASAP” as he liked to say: a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather & great-grandfather, faithful catholic, proud American proud of his Sicilian heritage, a staunch &dedicated Republican and a pillar of his Brooklyn & Staten Island community, passed away at the age of 92. He leaves behind a life defined by love, loyalty, humor, unwavering dedication to helping others, and a heart that welcomed everyone as family.

Born December 1st, 1933 and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Fred grew up with a deep sense of responsibility, gratitude, and work ethic. He worked many jobs throughout his youth to help support his mother and family, shaping the hardworking, generous, and dependable man he would become. Those early years built the foundation for his lifelong commitment to faith, family, and service to others.

Fred attended Fordham University, where he met the love of his life, his “sweetheart,” Lydia, beginning a love story that would span more than six decades. The two were married on July 21, 1956, and celebrated almost 70 beautiful years of marriage. Shortly after their wedding, Fred was drafted into the United States Army, and together he and Lydia moved to Germany during his service. He was honorably discharged in 1959, and the couple returned home to begin the next chapter of their lives.

They started in Brooklyn welcoming a family on 76th street and 14th Ave and finally settled making a warm and welcoming home at 82nd in Dyker Heights, where they grew their family and built lifelong friendships. Fred first worked with Holiday Inn before being appointed a Director at a banking institution, and from there, his passion for leadership, service, and community naturally led him into politics, as he started off as a member of the Republican Club in his neighborhood in Brooklyn. Fred went on to become Chairman of the Kings County Republican Party, served as an Elector for Ronald Reagan, and proudly worked on the presidential campaigns of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush. He also served the city he loved as Deputy Director of the Board of Elections, a role he held through retirement. Along the way, he formed lasting friendships, meaningful connections, and was deeply involved in shaping his Brooklyn community.

At the heart of everything Fred did was his deep Catholic faith. A strong and devoted Catholic, he attended Mass daily for most of his life and placed his complete faith and trust in God in every season. He was appointed one of the first Eucharistic ministers at St. Bernadette’s in Brooklyn in the late 1990’s. His faith guided his decisions, shaped his character, sustained him through challenges, and grounded his family in love, prayer, and grace.

Though proud of his accomplishments, what mattered most to Fred was helping people. His purpose was always to solve problems, make things right, support his family, friends & neighbors, and lift others up. He believed in doing good quietly and consistently. He was the person people called when they needed help, and he always answered. Post retirement he served on a few voluntary boards to help raise money and awareness; one he was most proud of was for SIUH, chairing the charity ball and golf and tennis outing journals for many years.

Family meant everything to him. He is survived by his beloved wife Lydia; his children Valerie (Ted), Steven (Julianne), and Alfred (Debbie); his 11 grandchildren and their spouses (16 in all); and his five great-grandchildren, with one more arriving in June. Watching them grow, laugh, succeed, and love was his greatest joy. He would often say “who better than me.”

Fred’s spirit lives in countless memories: the community collecting bottles and cans with him so he could donate the money to schools and local Native American programs; his fierce Brooklyn pride; his generosity; his humor; and of course, his signature drink: Gentleman Jack; two cubes of ice, no more, no less.

He will be remembered as a hero to his family, a leader in his community, and “Grandpa Fred” to everyone who knew him. His love, faith, strength, and legacy will live on forever.

Visitation will be held Friday from 2–4 PM and 7–9 PM at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at Our Lady Help of Christians Church at 10 am followed by burial at St Gabriel’s cemetery, Marlboro NJ.