Alcino Diniz, 85, passed away on March 31, 2018 in Danbury, CT. Alcino was born in Lousa, Portugal in 1933, the son of Sebastien and Olinda Diniz. In 1948, he and his family moved to Danbury, CT. To stay connected with his Portuguese heritage, Al became a member of the Sons of Portugal Club on Liberty Street. The club became his home away from home where he made lifelong friends with many members and their families within the Portuguese community.
In 1958, Al married Norma Martins of Danbury CT, and in 1967, Al moved his family to Ridgefield, CT, where he owned and worked at his two hair salons, The American House of Charm and Village Beauty Salon, for over forty years.
Alcino was known for his passion and love for the sport of soccer. He was an outstanding player for the former professional American Soccer League and Connecticut Amateur Soccer League during the 1950’s through the early 1970’s. He played for the Newark Portuguese, Middleton Garibaldi, Bridgeport Ukrainians, New Britain Falcons, Ludlow Lusitano, and, for many years, the Danbury Sons of Portugal.
After his playing years, Al turned to coaching. In the mid-70’s, he co-founded the Soccer Club of Ridgefield (SCOR) where he coached and mentored for almost four decades achieving numerous championships at the state level. Said by many to be the father of soccer in Ridgefield, he introduced the sport to thousands of Ridgefield boys, girls, and their families. In 1981, Diniz Field was dedicated in his honor for all he had done for Ridgefield.
Alcino also coached the Ridgefield High School boys soccer team from 1973-2003. His team accumulated a 343-140-40 record, four state title appearances, two state titles, and five Fairfield County Conference championships. He received many honors and awards for his coaching, including Connecticut Junior Soccer Coach of the Year (1981 and 1986), Connecticut High School Coach of the Year (1998), National Coach of the Year (2003) and was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.
After retiring from work and coaching, Alcino continued to enjoy his other passion of the beach at the southern New Jersey shore town of Wildwood Crest with his wife and family. There he became lifelong friends with many in the Wildwood area.
Besides his wife, Norma of 59 years, Al is survived by his son Darrell and wife Barbara Diniz of Milford, Massachusetts, son Duane Diniz of Norwalk, grandchildren Christopher and Courtney Diniz, brother Albert Diniz of Danbury, and sister-in-law Elizabeth and husband Paul Naves of Danbury. Alcino is also survived by several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins in the Danbury area and Portugal.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Boys and Girls Club of America.
Funeral services will take place on Friday, April 6, at 11:30am in the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury. Burial will be in Saint Peter Cemetery, Danbury. The family will receive friends at the Green Funeral Home on Thursday April 5th from 4 - 8 pm.
