Alexander N. Boaggio, on July 14, 2016, of Washington Twp. Age 79. Beloved husband of Rosemarie (nee Puglisi). Devoted father of Richard Boaggio (Donna), Suzanne Sparano (Joseph) and Patricia Ann Sparano (Michael). Loving grandfather of Jaime, Ricky, Brooks, Joey, Evan, Jason, Alexa, Kevin (Stacia) and Jeffrey. Proud great-grandfather of Nick, Alex, Kevin, Jr. and Aria. Dear brother of Susan Cucinotta.

Alexander Boaggio was born in South Philadelphia to Henry Boaggio, a furniture refinisher and Millie, a homemaker. He adored his sister Susan who is 7 years younger. He loved playing stickball as a child and his favorite food was fried bologna sandwiches with mustard on a roll. He attended South Philadelphia High School. As a teenager he was hard to wake up so his father put a real fire bell under his bed to wake him up with a switch in the kitchen. When his father hit that switch he said the bed would literally shake when the bell went off. His first car was a Studebaker.

Al met Rosemarie Puglisi at a dance. He met her again at a local diner and she kicked him under the table. She wanted to be noticed and he took the hint. I guess he knew he had a keeper. It was love at first sight. They married on June 15, 1957. They bought their first home for $3,000 across the street from Henry and Millie and were happy with what very little they had. They had 3 children: Richard, born June 9, 1958; Suzanne born December 4, 1960 and Patty born July 19, 1966. They went out every Saturday night with their best friends Flossie and Joe Berenato. They moved to Blackwood in 1971. It was like moving to the farms. Rose’s parent Catherine and Dick lived with them.

Al worked at ABC bakery for many years as a route salesman. He loved his job and people loved him. He opened Boaggios Bakery in 1988 with his son Richard. He enjoyed mostly being with his family and he enjoyed crabbing. He will be remembered for his funny sayings. He was a man of few words but everyone listened when he spoke. He had a different interpretation of stories. Al had a keen sense of direction. Always went ways that no one else would have gone. Even though he described things with “thing-a-ma-jig” and “watch-ya-ma-call-it”, we all knew what he was talking about.

After 58 years he got his first nickname. A young Joey Sparano was watching “Thomas the Train” with his pop-pop and one of the engines on the cartoon was called “Diesel”. He was known as the grumpy engine”. Joey turned to his pop-pop and said “Pop-Pop, you’re grumpy just like Diesel.” And so the nickname “Diesel” started. He has been called “Diesel” by the Sparano grandchildren since then.

He loved the Phillies and the Eagles. He was the grandmaster of every birthday celebration with his special intro to the birthday song. He was the original “MacGyver” He could fix anything with a roll of duct tape and a rubber band. For having a stern demeanor, he had a soft spot for making pine cone Christmas trees, bringing out his artsy side. We love them. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He was a gentleman around the ladies and a man around the men.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Sunday 6:00 – 8:00 PM and Monday 9:15 – 10:15 AM at the EGIZI FUNERAL HOME, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial Monday 11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo RC Church, 176 Stagecoach Road, Sicklerville, NJ 08081. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alexander’s memory may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Church at the address above.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.egizifuneral.com.

“A Life Well Lived
Is Worth Remembering”