Alan L. Piscina

Alan L. Piscina, 67 Financial services professional, expert in postal history and skilled guitarist, of Dongan Hills Alan L. Piscina, 67, and a Staten Islander for most of his life, died Sunday, June 12, 2016, after a long illness. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Alan moved to Dongan Hills at the age of 11. He attended P.S. 11, graduated from New Dorp High School in 1966, and attended New Paltz University, SUNY, before beginning his long career in financial services at Merrill Lynch. Seven years ago, Alan joined National Financial Services as Project Director. He loved his job and the people he worked with. When asked about his job, he would say he was proud of his work and looked forward to every day - a rare quality, indeed. Alan had an entrepreneurial gift, and for many years he ran an on-line collectibles business in postal history. His love of postal stamps and first day covers started when he was just a child, inspired by his love of history and lovingly nurtured by his parents. Alan was a man of many talents. One he especially loved was music. This, too, began early in life when his parents would sing their favorite songs as his father played the ukulele. Alan learned to pay the Uke and quickly moved on to guitar. His love of music just kept growing. Trained as a classical guitarist, he later taught guitar at a local music studio. Always taking things to the next level, Alan formed a band, Pyramid, with him as lead guitarist, which preformed in New York and New Jersey during the 1970s and '80s. Coming from a musical family, his younger brother, Ed, joined him in performance as guitarist and vocalist and his sister, Nancy, performed with the band as a vocalist. Music remained a part of Alan's life and he delighted his friends and family with his talent and passion. Alan was an avid reader, who had bookshelves filled with the classics that he loved so dearly. This, too, was a life's passion for him; a love affair with the written word, inspired by his high school Latin and English teachers. Alan was a quiet, private man. He loved his family and kept loving memories of his mother, Doraine Piscina, and nephew, Edward W. Piscina, close to his heart after their sad passing in 2014. These were the hardest blows for him to overcome in his remaining years. Alan is survived by his dear father, Edward J. Piscina, who is 85 years old; his loving daughters, Anne LaBrie and Eve D'Onofrio; his sister, Nancy Piscina; his brother, Edward S. Piscina; his nieces, Catherine Perkins and Carolyn Geremia; his nephews, Daniel Piscina and Jackson Barckhaus, and grandchildren, Grace-anne Butch, Leo D'Onofrio and Charles D'Onofrio. Alan said shortly before his death, how happy he was to have grandchildren in his life. It made him feel complete. According to Alan's wishes, an evening wake will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at Virginia Funeral Home, 1707 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, N.Y. 10305 from 6 to 9 p.m. for all his friends and family to remember the good times.

Arrangements under the direction of Virginia Funeral Chapel, Staten Island, NY.