Alfred J. Cuozzo, Jr.

Alfred J. Cuozzo Jr, was born in Yonkers in 1941, raised in a foster home, spent decades as a decorated police officer, was proud of his children, was loyal to his friends and died peacefully in the quiet house in the woods that was his sanctuary. That’s the short version. As Al would say, “lemme’ tell you a story.”

As a young man Al worked a series of odd jobs including a cable car operator at the 1962 World’s Fair. He enjoyed horseback riding and fast cars, surviving multiple crashes that left him a few scars and a reputation for having good luck. He grew up in a community where “bookie” was a career choice but with the help of his then wife Barbara, he got his GED and became a cop. His decades of service to the White Plains Police Department as a detective became the bedrock of his life. Al loved his work. He stayed long past the time when many retired and went on to second jobs and was known as the godfather.

Al was married to Barbara for 21 years and had two children; Gary who sadly passed at age 18 in an accident and Christine, who Al nicknamed “Louie” who is happily married to Robert lovingly known as “that guy”. He was “Pompi” to his grandson Ian (who he called “no”) and granddaughters Alexa (“You gotta boyfriend at that college? No? Good!”) and Katy. Al was fortunate to have Mary Lou as his long-time companion. She loved him, cared for him and refused to let his stubborn nature keep her from telling him what was good for him. He enjoyed being part of her family with daughter Jeanine, husband Bob and grandsons Cole and Ryan.

Lastly, Al always “knew a guy”. Need a contractor, limo driver or a place to get a nice bottle of Sambuca? Through Al’s network of friends from the force, the church, the poker games or his hunting buddies, there was always someone he had helped, who owed him a favor or who had just what you needed. And he kept all his information the old-fashioned way -- in his head, no computers, or even a cell phone. While Al had health issues, it didn’t keep him from his passions. This weekend Al and Marylou would have been at Mohegan Sun Casino taking in a Bon Jovi concert.

Please come and share your stories about Al at a wake being held at EDWARD F. CARTER FUNERAL HOME, 170 Kings Ferry Rd, Montrose on Friday March 31st from 6-9 pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated at the Holy Spirit Church, 1969 Crompond Rd in Cortlandt on Saturday, April 1st at 10 am with burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Yonkers.