Albert Henry Vass

He was born in Brooklyn, where he met his late wife, Grace. They moved to Queens and eventually settled in Great Kills in 1961.

Mr. Vass worked for Brooklyn Union Gas on Staten Island. But on nights and weekends, you could find him in wrestling rings across the region -- first as a wrestler under the stage name “Al Samson,” and then as a referee.

He got his start in the sport working out at the Adonis Health Club in Brooklyn, and was once crowned “Mr. Brooklyn” at a bodybuilding event at the Pitkin Theater. At Vic Tanny’s gym in Forest Hills, he trained with wrestler Abe Coleman, and went on to appear in televised matches on the show “Studio Wrestling.”

He gave up wrestling in 1964, but got his referee’s license, which he held until 2001. For decades, he was a familiar face in wrestling rings throughout the area, from smaller bouts at Weisglass Stadium on Staten Island to televised matches at Madison Square Garden starring the likes of Bruno Sammartino and Andre the Giant.

After he retired from Brooklyn Union, he worked as a security guard at the St. George branch of the New York Public Library. He often talked about the history of wrestling with visitors to the library, and eventually held several talks and exhibitions of his wrestling memorabilia there.

He was a caring father to his children, Judi and Gerard, who he would take on Sunday evening trips to Carvel. Judi often tagged along with him to wrestling shows out of state to keep him company on the long rides. Once as a young girl, she rushed into the ring to try to help him after he was punched in the nose.

He was a devoted husband to his wife, Grace, whom he faithfully picked up after her evening shifts at the Staten Island Mall. Together they took trips to Lake George, and in their later years enjoyed dining out and attending doo-wop concerts.

For years, he and Grace spent every Friday night with their grandchildren, Jillian and Kelsey, spoiling them with treats and toys.

After his wife’s death in 2008, he was blessed to find a companion in Eileen Bosogna. She passed away in 2017.

He is also preceded in death by his son, Gerard, who passed away in 2017.

He is survived by his daughter Judi Jorgensen; his granddaughter Jillian Jorgensen and her husband Andrew Vischio; and his granddaughter Kelsey Jorgensen and her fiance Danny Boston.

A visitation for Albert will be held Sunday, November 1, 2020 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur Monday, November 2, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Clare Church, 110 Nelson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10308. A burial will occur Monday, November 2, 2020 from 12:15 PM to 12:30 PM in St. John's Cemetery, 80-01 Metropolitan Ave, Middle Village, NY 11379.