Albert Curcio

Al was born in Brooklyn on February 23, 1929, and grew up on Staten Island. He left school after the 8th grade to help support his family. He was later drafted into the army in 1952 during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. In his youth he was an avid baseball player even attending an open tryout in Brooklyn for the NY Yankees. He was also a skilled pool player having played in famous local pool halls with the likes of Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi.

Al spent his entire career as a hat designer and salesman in Manhattan, finally retiring at the age of 70. Among his credits, he designed the iconic “houndstooth” hat worn by legendary University of Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, and the classic fedora worn by Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry.

Al loved watching the Yankees, playing a game he invented called “Team Yanks” in the yard with his grandsons, trips to Atlantic City with his wife Madelyn, any and all holidays surrounded by family, Frank Sinatra, spaghetti dinners, Manhattans (rye not bourbon) and any and all desserts and sweets.

He is survived by his wife Madelyn, son Michael and Daughter-in-law Debbie, Grandsons Nick and Chris, and several nieces, nephews and godchildren.

The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Tuesday, April 11 from 4:30PM-7:30PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Church of the Presentation, Upper Saddle River, NJ on Wednesday, April 12 at 10AM. Interment will be private.