Obituary of Alfredo Gentile

Alfredo (Carmin Vincenzo) Gentile, 88, of Mine Hill, NJ passed away on January 9, 2026.

Son of the late Geremia and Antiope Gentile and brother of the late Louis Gentile and Diana Ionata, and uncle of the late Maria Matteo. He was born and raised in Bayonne, NJ. He was a graduate of St. Peter’s College in 1960 with a B.S. in Mathematics and Seton Hall University in 1974 with an M.A. in Education. He was a math teacher, teacher to assist the principal, and vice principal at Arts High School in Newark, NJ where he was respected and admired, known for his strength, great fairness, warm smile, dynamic personality, quick wit, who gave more than his share of time, talent, and energy with the interest of the students in mind at all times. After retiring, he moved to Mine Hill, NJ to be closer to his family.

Alfredo is predeceased by his beloved wife of 44 years, Helen Pearl Gentile. He is survived by his stepchildren, Chris Wollny (Wendy) and Melissa Savidge (David). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristen, Lauren, Jessica, and Chris Jr Wollny and Andrew and Bryn Savidge, his great grandchildren, Jameson and Tristan Hero; as well as his nieces, Sandra Kellar, Claudia Gonzalez, and nephews, Dennis Ionata, Michael Ionata, and great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, Alfredo will be remembered for his opinionated and prolific monologues delivered with passion and enthusiasm. Equal parts Jackie Gleason with a Cheshire cat’s grin, and Peter Pan’s boyish charm, Al was both the historian and the storyteller. Sometimes the history and the story were all his own making, but he was faithful to his beliefs and his zest for conversation. In his younger days, he had a near photographic memory and knew the dates, times, and places of events as if they occurred yesterday.

The Godfather and The Bronx Tale were among his most watched movies. He enjoyed frequently quoting his favorite main character lines and referencing them in his many soliloquies. (He would appreciate the fancy words here.)

We imagine Alfredo and Helen are together - ballroom dancing, watching Turner Classic Movies, reminiscing of cherished memories with their family who meant everything to them, and arguing over who is going to tell a story they’ve both delivered thousands of times.

Arrangements were under the care of Dangler Funeral Home, Morris Plains, NJ.