TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | APRIL 15-21, 2022
29
In Memoriam
Alexander S. DiPaolo
February 26, 1939 – December 22, 2021
Everyone who knew him called him "Al."
Everyone who loved him called him "Unkee."
A lifelong resident of Queens, Alexander Salvatore DiPaolo was born at home in Flushing on Sunday, February 26, 1939,
weighing twelve pounds. His father, Salvatore DiPaolo, was a construction and sewer worker. His mother, Elizabeth Nittoli
DiPaolo, was a homemaker. His parents were immigrants from Lioni, Italy, with Salvatore arriving first to New York City in 1923
and then his wife in 1936.
Al was the middle child between his two American-born sisters. The DiPaolo’s firstborn Italian son passed away at not quite
two years old in 1923, years before their other children were born. Tragedy struck again when Salvatore died suddenly in 1948,
leaving Alexander to be the “man of the house” at the age of nine.
He attended local elementary schools PS 23 Q, then PS 20 Q, and graduated from Flushing High School in 1956 with a Commercial
diploma. He went to work for accounting firms in Manhattan and pursued accounting at Baruch College of CUNY, receiving his
degree after ten years of night school. When he took the Certified Public Accountant exam, he passed it on the first try. He was
a veteran who served in the U.S. Army.
Al opened his own accounting business in Flushing with the firm name, “DiPaolo and Kushner.” When he moved to 219th Street
in Bayside after 40 years of living at the house on Farrington Street, he opened a new office on Bell B oulevard where he continued
to practice accounting for a total of 50 years. Several of his clients were second generation customers. At least one was third
generation! He was valued for his strong work ethic, dependability, and listening ear. Many longtime clients became lifelong
friends.
Al lived in Bayside for four decades. His vehicle was known around town for its customized “UNKEE” license plate. He cared for
several cats over his lifetime: Grayson, Allison, plus Love and Sweetie who were sisters whom he raised since kittenhood and
lived to be fifteen and twenty years old, respectively.
He was active in the community and volunteered for decades with the Flushing Rotary Club, the Silvercrest Center, and the New
York Presbyterian Community Affairs team. He was also a supporter of special needs baseball for children living with autism. He
was the family photographer who always made time to attend celebrations, holidays, ball games, music shows, dance recitals,
and plays. He was a big fan of scratch-off lottery tickets and always brought stacks of cards to give out at gatherings, dinners,
and family vacations.
Though he was a family man, Al never married. He was predeceased by his parents, Salvatore and Elizabeth; his brother, Angelo
DiPaolo; his brother-in-law, Charles Hart; and his former brother-in-law, Frank Skala.
He is survived by his two sisters, Justina Hart of Freehold, New Jersey, and Beatrice Skala of Flushing, as well as many nieces and
nephews who live locally and across the country who adored him.
Al was the beloved uncle of Charlie Hart, Tina Thomson, Sean and Loretta Hart, Katie and Bob Bartnick, Bill and Laurie Hart,
Bonnie (Skala) and Wayne Kiladitis, and Ed Skala.
He was also the doting great-uncle to 13 grandnieces and grandnephews: Charly Hart, Anthony Hart, Erin Thomson, Kyle Hart,
Ryan Hart, Bryan Bartnick, Kayla Bartnick, Thomas Bartnick, Mackenzie Hart, Jackson Hart, Abigail Hart, Brayden Kiladitis and
Alexa Kiladitis (who was named after him).
Always a fan of numbers, Unkee Al passed on 12/22/21 – a numerical palindrome. He will be fondly remembered for his
compassion, professionalism, love of travel, generous spirit, and devotion to family.
Condolences can be sent to the DiPaolo family at 39-24 219th Street, Bayside, NY 11361.
Donations in Al’s memory can be made to the Steven J. Petillo Field of Dreams (notation to the Challenger League) or The
Flushing Rotary Charitable Trust, 130 Greenway East, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
/QNS.COM
