Alfred Joseph Candido, Sr.

Mr. Alfred Joseph Candido Sr., 88, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the Masonic Care Community. Al was born in Utica on December 18, 1928, a son of the late Joseph and Mary Divina (DeFazio) Candido. He was educated in local schools and a graduate of TR Proctor High School. Al later attended Utica College, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Science. He continued his education and was awarded a Master's at SUNY Cortland in Health Science Education. Al served our country in the Naval Reserve during the Korean War. On August 4, 1949, Al was joined in marriage to the former Anne M. Pitrel. Anne and Al shared a marriage filled with love and devotion to each other for over fifty-four years. His beloved Anne passed away on September 9, 2003 and appropriately he has now joined her on Valentine's Day. Mr. Candido's work career began at the lab at Utica Psychiatric Center and later as a Medical Technologist then as Chief Technologist at Faxton Hospital Laboratory for over twenty years. Al went on to a career as a Health Science Teacher with the Utica City School District. He eventually retired after twenty years as the Director of the Utica Teachers Center. Never one to be idle, Al also worked at Vernon Downs for fifteen years, as well as volunteering in many local nursing homes. Al Candido was a true Christian Gentleman in every sense; he was a lifelong devoted communicant of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, where he was an usher and member of its Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the Knights of St. John; active in the Utica Teachers Union; served on the Board of the Utica Red Cross, where he was a past president; and also served on the Board of Directors of the NY-Penn American Red Cross Bank. Al gave his all to his God, his family, and his community, and will be sadly missed by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Alfred Jr. and Debbie Candido, of Kayuta Lake, and Dominic and Teresa Candido, of Hanover, NH; his adored granddaughter, Brandi Candido, who was like a daughter to him; his beloved grandson, Luke Candido; great granddaughter, Alexis N. Candido; he was like a brother to his in-laws, Dominic and Theresa Pitrel and Carmella DeCotis and the late Alfonso DeCotis, and the late Rosie and Rick Dimeo; and also many beloved nieces and nephews. Al will be missed by his many friends and the patrons of the Marr-logg Restaurant where he was daily fixture for over twenty five years. He was predeceased by his three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Dominic Candido, Raymond and Joy Candido, and Joseph and Josie Candido; and one sister and brother-in-law, Cora and William Campanaro. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial with Military Honors on Friday at 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. He will be laid to rest beside his wife at Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., at Mohawk St., Utica. The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Masonic Home, especially the Bronx Unit, for the loving care and compassion shown to our dad during his stay there. In memory of Al, please consider donations to the Alfred J. Candido Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund to be established at T.R. Proctor High School or The Mohawk Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Donations may be made at the funeral home. The Knights of St. John Co 385 will meet Thursday at 6:30 pm at the funeral home for ritualistic services. For directions to the funeral home, click the link above.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alfred Joseph Candido, Sr., please visit our floral store.