Albert E. Katinsky

Albert E. Katinsky, age 84, of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away on May 1, 2021 peacefully under the loving care of his family.
Albert was born into a poor coal mining family in 1936 to Jean Katinsky. He was raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Scranton Technical High School in 1955, where he played football and ran track. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1955, and was honorably discharged in 1957 to care for his ailing mother. His mother was one of 10 children and he was surrounded by many Aunts, Uncles and cousins that he loved.
Al had a tireless work ethic and always did whatever he needed to support his family. He started working at the age of four, carrying bags at a local store, to support himself and his mother. He endured a very tough childhood, and learned how difficult life can be from an early age. He grew up during the depression and often went without food and medical care. He even moved over eighteen times before he graduated high school.
Albert grew from these experiences and gained wisdom beyond his years. This helped him gain perspective on the essence of a happy life: being a loving, caring person, and following God’s will. Albert continually grew close to the Lord throughout his life, and passed these values down to his family. He was an extremely faithful, forgiving, and generous man; there is no one he would not help. Albert will always be remembered by his friends and family for his devotion to prayer, as well as his favorite jokes and good-natured pranks.
He was a devout Catholic, attending Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Catholic Church and was a member of the Servants of the Holy Cross Prayer community. He attended mass weekly and prayed the Rosary everyday.
Albert met his wife while he was working on a roof one day. He saw her walking down the street and ran down the ladder to meet her. Six months later they started dating and married in 1960. Albert and his wife Marjorie settled in Bloomfield and later moved to Wayne in 1974 to raise their 4 children.
Albert joined the Bloomfield Fire Department on May 1, 1961 and rose to the rank of Chief of the Department in 1994. One of his greatest joys was when his two sons followed in his footsteps and joined the department in 1990. Albert also spent many years painting houses in order to support his family. He often took on additional jobs because he always wanted to give his clients a good deal, even though he needed the money. He never had much money in the bank because his priority was to ensure that his children and grandchildren always had fun. There was not an amusement park around that he did not bring his family to.
Al and his wife won a trip to the Holy Land in 1985, which sparked their love of travel. They went to Montreal and Quebec City often, as well as Spain, France, and Italy multiple times. They would fly into Italy without any plans or reservations, buy a new car, and travel around the countryside for weeks at a time, stopping for a few days in places they liked.
Albert is predeceased by his wife, Marjorie (nee Snyder) Katinsky (2007). He is survived by his children: John J Katinsky (Robin) – Indian Land, SC, Marjorie Ann Ochner (Richard) – Pompton Plains, NJ, Janice Mielarczyk (Rob) – Pequannock, NJ and Albert J. – Stockholm, NJ. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bill Katinsky (Jackie) – Denville, NJ, Ray Katinsky (Kim) – Lincoln Park, NJ, Walter & Henry Mielarczyk – Pequannock, NJ, Margaret Mary, Evan (g/f Christine), Spencer & Madeline Ochner – Pompton Plains, NJ, Step-Grandchildren, Robert Passman (Abby) – Washington Twp, NJ, Elizabeth Anest (Chris) – Charlotte, NC, Bridget Passsman-Zito – Indian Land, SC, and great grand-children: Blake & Shae Katinsky, Travis, Anna & Joey Katinsky, Reiner & Eleanor Passman, Nicholas & Gray Anest, Codye, Sydney & Dominick Zito.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Al’s favorite charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Doctors Without Borders, and Mercy Ships.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-9 pm at the funeral home, M. John Scanlan Funeral Home, Pompton Plains. www.scanlanfuneralhome.com.                                                                                                                            A funeral Mass will be held 10 am Thursday at Holy Cross Church, Woodland Park. Cremation will be private.