Albert "Al" R. Natale, Jr.

Albert R. Natale Jr. (“Al” or “Sparky”), 62 years old, passed into eternal rest on Sunday, June 11, 2023 after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia and prostate cancer. He was a loving husband to Joanne (Forscht), a devoted father to Andrew (Lynnette) and Breanna (Patrick), and an adoring Pop Pop to Brody Rhys.

Al was born July 22, 1960 in Norwalk hospital to Albert and Rose Natale. He was raised in Redding (Georgetown) where he was blessed to be brought up on 24 acres of land to explore with his sister Susan and brother Michael. He was most recently employed at Eaton Aerospace Corporation in Bethel and had previously worked at Vectron Labs in Norwalk and briefly at Butler Aerospace and Defense (Sikorsky).

Throughout his life, Al was involved in various activities. He played basketball in middle school where he once scored 71 points in a game. He was on the Joel Barlow golf team and his college tennis team. He even has trophies for ping pong, golf, and chess championships. In addition to being an athlete, he was a talented artist and an accomplished luthier; creating beautiful guitars from scratch as well as modifying other instruments.

The one thing Al is most known for is his music. He started playing gigs as early as middle school, and his love for music brought him lifetime friendships. His music and personality led him to be a part of a variety of bands throughout his career: Vegas, Diamond Roller, Food on the Roof, Frame of Mind, The Christopher Robin Band, and his second family - The Highland Rovers Band.

He was honored to meet several extraordinary musicians and play some incredible gigs, including radio, TV, and the national anthem twice at Shea Stadium (which he was extremely proud of, Let’s Go Mets!).

Al has brought others so much joy throughout the years with his music, charity, sincerity, kindness, and silly dad jokes. In addition to his children and grandson, Al is survived by his sister, Susan, brother, Michael (Janet), sister-in-law, Debi (Randy) and cherished nephews and nieces. He will be greatly missed by many and his memories will be cherished by his family and friends for years to come.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday, June 23rd from 4:00 to 8:00pm at Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday June 24th at 10am at St. Pius X Parish, 834 Brookside Dr, Fairfield, CT with a private interment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorial contributions in Al’s memory to be made to Smilow Cancer Hospital or KEYS Music charity.