Alfred Pellegrino, who began making models of ships, buildings and even the old Yankee Stadium after his retirement in 1998, recently celebrated a century of life. EDISON — The century mark is certainly a milestone birthday that is worthy of celebration, and for Alfred Pellegrino, that event took place as he wished — surrounded by the family he cherishes.
Pellegrino wasn’t feeling well in the days leading up to his big bash on March 9, so his family and the staff at CareOne, Inman Avenue, where he has lived for the past several months, held a quiet gathering for him instead.
Mayor Antonia Ricigliano even stopped by to present a proclamation.
Pellegrino wants his legacy to be his lifetime of selflessness and kindness, and explained the importance of seeing his family continue to support each other.
“There is so much violence today, and I think I would like to see everyone help each other. That makes you a better person, and you feel good about yourself,” he said. “Think with your head and follow your heart. Having my family get together means more than any present I could receive. I want everyone to be happy.”
According to Pellegrino’s daughter, Gerri Fardin, the family plans to take him to an Italian restaurant in the near future to properly honor him.
“My dad is an icon,” Fardin said. “He is living to tell all his grandchildren how life was growing up in his days — witnessing how far technology has come with computers and phones that aren’t connected to the walls; comparing the price of food, gas and movies as opposed to today; what the pay scale of employment was; [and] his stories about serving his country in World War II.”
Born in Naples, Italy, on March 9, 1913, Alfred Pellegrino came to the United States in 1922. At 16, he began working for the Shepard Baking Co., where he loaded trucks filled with Betty Jane cakes.
Beginning in 1943, he served in World War II as a sergeant in the Army 18th Airways Detachment 14th Air Force. He received an honorable discharge on December 15, 1945, and left with an Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, a Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal and a World War II Victory Medal.
He became self-employed after that, as a truck driver delivering Betty Jane cakes, candy and miscellaneous merchandise to Jersey Shore customers six days a week. Fardin said his work ethic is what kept him young.
“He truly has always been a hard-working man, very dependable,” she said. “He never tells us exactly what his secret to longevity is. Personally, I think it was his job that kept him climbing on and off his truck, delivering cases, keeping him physically in shape all his years.”
Pellegrino agreed, saying, “I really feel like I did 50 years ago. A doctor once told me that I had the body of a 20-year-old, and that always stayed in my mind.”
Pellegrino married Susan Nese in 1946 and had four children — Vincent, Gerri, Alfred Jr. (now deceased) and Anthony — who gave him eight grandchildren. Family was always an important part of his life, with him spending Sundays volunteering his time if anyone needed help with projects around the house.
“He had a garden, and he’d spend his time pickling his vegetables for his great antipasto he made for every holiday,” Fardin said. “He liked watching the Yankees and enjoying home-cooked dinners with his family and close friends.”
Pellegrino lived in Jersey City until 1977, then spent the next 20 years in North Brunswick. After his wife and son passed away in 1995, he settled in Edison to be closer to Fardin.
After retiring in 1998 following a tractor trailer accident, Pellegrino started collecting scraps of wood, Popsicle sticks and whatever else he could get his hands on, and began making models.
“He made anything that he could imagine,” Fardin said. “He made buildings, trucks, ships, swimming pools — even the ‘old’ Yankee Stadium.”
Pellegrino drove his own car up until he was 98 before a bad fall put an end to his driving days. But even at 100, Fardin said his health remains steady.
“He’s like the Energizer Bunny,” she joked. “He keeps going and going and going.”