He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 1, 1946. Al moved to Dallas with his parents and sister in 1947, as a one-year-old. He often recalled fond memories of his first home and youth experiences while growing up on Garrett Street. Al graduated from Jesuit High School in 1964 and received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English from the University of Dallas.
Professionally, Al started his career as a corporate journalist for Southland Life Insurance, later becoming an agent with Southland. He moved on to Woodmen Accident and Life Insurance where he eventually led the Dallas office as their agency manager in the 80s and 90s. Before switching careers to be a full-time English teacher at his high school alma mater, he taught English at Eastfield Community College in Mesquite, Texas.
In 1997, he joined the faculty at Jesuit College Prep in Dallas, teaching English and mentoring as an advisor on the campus publication. Throughout his teaching career, he moonlighted as an author, writing and publishing 1854 Garrett Street and Toward the Setting Sun. During his retirement, he pondered a third book as the literary piece that would link his previous two books together.
Al always had everyone’s best interest at heart. His encouragement to “do your best without judgment” and “always try to understand other people’s concerns and challenges” made him a great teacher and a phenomenal father. He also embraced a tough love approach with a familiar saying: “Everything you do comes back to you.”
Al loved his family above all else. He volunteered his time coaching youth sports for each son in both baseball and basketball. He enjoyed recounting his championship run with his son Al’s little league team, joking that his coaching was the deciding factor. Summers were spent taking the family from coast to coast in the station wagon. He often compared the Pierotti trips to those of the Griswolds, both in adventure and comedy.
As the years passed, Al was never happier than when his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren were together. Al relished the time the entire family would vacation in Galveston, all under one roof, allowing time for cards, games, backgammon, food, drinks, and laughs.
In retirement, Al volunteered at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul collecting donated items and organizing the food bank. During the summers, he held “Camp Nonno” with his grandchildren, which included activities of cooking, writing, trips to the public library, and watching classic sitcoms. Needless to say, for those who knew him, Al Pierotti’s passions were family, laughter, and animals.
The Pierotti family would like to thank the staff and care team at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, specifically in the Hamon 3rd floor ICU, for their compassionate care and professionalism through Al’s final journey on this earth.
“No matter how many times you fall down, keep picking yourself up. Perseverance is really the key.”
- Al Pierotti, Jr.
He is survived by his wife: Cynthia Walker Pierotti; children: Al and Jennifer Pierotti, Christopher and LK Pierotti, Michael and Beth Pierotti, Anthony and Julie Pierotti; grandchildren: Emma, Noah, Lucas, Leo, & Lowen; Zac, Kirk, Patrick, & Ian Perry; and sister: Nancy Pierotti Byrne.
He was preceded in death by his father, Al Pierotti, Sr., his mother Theresa Plagemann Pierotti, wife Judith Vehr Pierotti, and son, Richard Joseph Pierotti.
Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home will host a Visitation at 6 pm on Thursday, May 4th. A Rosary will follow and commence at 7 pm.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St Pius X Catholic Church on Friday, May 5, 2023, at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to:
Society of St. Vincent de Paul https://svdpdallas.org/donate/ -or-
SPCA of North Texas https://spca.org/support-us/give/donate-now/#/form
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Crane.com for the Pierotti family.
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