I was hired by Al at Cresskill High School for a temporary teaching and coaching position which continued on for 43 years.
     He was always a supportive and tremendous advocate for the teachers and for each of our various disciplines. He told me that he expected each of us to think that our department was the most important one!
     He believed in athletics, and appreciated the energy that the coaching staff put in to attain the high degree of excellence that he expected. Coming from two much larger schools, he aimed to raise the level of both the academics and athletics at Cresskill to be competitive with all of the larger county schools, despite our small size.
     Al was cheerful, professional, and gentlemanly in his approach.
     I am grateful that I was able to develop, under his guidance and leadership,  into the teacher and coach that I strove to become. Many of the skills that I learned from him considerably impacted my professional growth, along with those of the inspirational colleagues that he surrounded me with!
     And let’s not forget, how much Al loved to dance!  Year after year, he willingly did an annual foxtrot and swing demo for my dance classes, with great enthusiasm, always making time to interact with our students.
     His love for his family, particularly his beautiful wife, Ellie was obvious.  He mentioned them all both regularly, and with great love and pride.
      Al  used all of his talents;  teaching, coaching, parenting, encouraging, mentoring, and running both a school, and a district.  
     What a wonderful, fruitful, meaningful contribution he’s made to our world!

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OBITUARY

Alfred H. DiDonato

February 6, 1934 – December 21, 2024

Becker Funeral Home

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