Alfred Terrinoni
1924 - 2022
Obituary
Alfred N. Terrinoni, of Jamesville, N.Y., died Dec. 4, 2022, three months shy of his 99th birthday. A decorated veteran of World War II, Al served in England as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, 445th Bomb Group.
He grew up in the Burnet Avenue neighborhood of Syracuse, N.Y., and entered the military when he was 19. When the war ended, he returned home and eventually enrolled in a carpentry training program that launched his lifelong career.
In 1947, Al married Elizabeth “Betty” Gonnella, who grew up in his neighborhood; The couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in February.
They raised their three boys first in the family home on Elm Street, then moved to a house in Jamesville that Al built with his own hands.
When Betty became ill in recent years, Al was her staunch caregiver and personal chef. He made pasta and bread from scratch, pies that he bragged about, and sauce from Italian tomatoes he grew in his backyard garden. He had a remarkable green thumb.
Al loved to socialize, especially with his extended family, and was always among the last to leave the party. He was a hunter, fisherman, bocce player and wine-maker, and had near-perfect recall of stories from the old days. His analytical mind was sharp to the end. Just before he became ill, he was baking an apple pie for Thanksgiving dinner.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, and their three sons: David, and his wife, Ann Terrinoni, of San Antonio; Alfred Jr., and his wife, Helen Walter-Terrinoni, of Skaneateles, N.Y.; and Michael, and his partner, Maureen Nolan, of Pompey, N.Y. Survivors also include his brother, Dino Centra, of Syracuse; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Al was predeceased by his mother, Frances Terrinoni Centra; stepfather, John Centra; father, Emanuel Terrinoni; sisters, Connie Nardiello and Lisa Dibello; and his beloved granddaughter, Emily Terrinoni Hernandez.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 9th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at FARONE & SON Inc Funeral Home, 1500 Park Street, Syracuse. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 10th, 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home and 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Dewitt, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.