Albert J. Soricelli Sr. Loving husband, father and grandfather, WWII veteran and boxing champ in his youth Albert J. Soricelli Sr. passed on Friday, April 14, 2017, to join his loving wife, Helen, in heaven. A wake will be held on Thursday, April 20, at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Rd., Darien, Conn., from 2 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 21, at St. John Church, 1986 Post Rd., also in Darien, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y., with military honors. Al was born in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1919. He graduated from Evander Childs High School, where he starred in football and baseball. He was a leader at his beloved Trumps Social Club in the Bronx. Al was a decorated master sergeant in the 809 Army Engineers during World War II and served in the North African and European Theaters. He also won the Golden Glove championship as a featherweight for boxing in his battalion. Al married his longtime sweetheart, Helen, in 1947. They were married for 53 wonderful, loving years before Helen passed in 2000. After the war, Dad helped build the Bronx Zoo and Bronx Botanical Gardens, clearing the land as a tree climber. After that, he had a long successful career at the New York City Parks Department, retiring in 1981 as the Bronx borough director. Upon retiring, Dad continued working as a landscaper and was an avid runner with his son-in-law, Roland, well into his 80s. He loved ballroom dancing and could be seen dancing into his late 90s. Dad lived a long (in his 98th year), wonderful life, bringing joy to everyone. Dad - we love you and will miss you. Give Mom a hug. His children, Dona (Roland), John, Albert (Angela), and Joseph (Paula); their children, Dad's great-grandchildren, and friends, will miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation to The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001.