Dr. Alfred J. Morini Sr

Dr. Alfred J. Morini, Sr. passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, at the age of 105.

Al was the second son of Italian immigrant parents, the late Cesare and Grace Morini, and he was born on the South Side of Amsterdam, NY on April 25,1920. He was a life-long resident of Amsterdam, NY other than his time spent in the armed services and in undergraduate and post graduate college years.

Al attended St. Mary’s Institute through 12th grade, graduating in 1937. He then attended St. Bonaventure University earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduating in 1941. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he attended the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Dental Surgery, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1944. On a blind date during his first semester freshman year of dental school, he met the love of his life, Mary Sullivan. They were married in 1943 and remained deeply in love for 71 years until Mary’spassing in 2014. 

Soon after Pearl Harbor Day in 1941, The University of Maryland Dental Schoolwas called to serve in the U.S. Army. After Al’s graduation he was transferred to the U.S. Navy as the need for dentists was more acute in the Navy. He served at the U.S. Naval Base in San Diego on Coronado Island. While in San Diego, Al was deployed to Shanghai, China where he served under Admiral Bull Halsey Jr. Upon completing this assignment, he and Mary returned to Amsterdam in 1946 to establish his private dental practice.

Al was again called into military service during the Korean War in 1952. He was loaned by the U.S. Navy to the Air Force to serve as a dentist at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, GA. He remained in GA for one year, then retired from the Navy as a lieutenant commander. Al, directly or indirectly, served as a dentist in all three branches of the U.S. military.

After retiring from the Navy, he returned with his growing family to Amsterdam,NY to re-open his dental practice. He retired in 1987, and helped mentor hiseldest son Dr. A.J. Morini Jr., transition into managing and operating the dental practice. This same practice is now managed by Dr. Chelsea Morini, his granddaughter, thus completing a contiguous three-generation family dental practice here in Amsterdam, NY.

Al was a devout Roman Catholic and a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Amsterdam, who possessed a deep faith which helped guide and shape his life. He was also an avid outdoorsman, who spent many hours hunting and fishing in and around the Amsterdam, NY region. Al was very involved in Thoroughbred Racing for over 50 years, as an active owner of numerous racehorses.

Al is survived by his loving children: daughters, Jacqueline Bresonis and son-in-law Dr. William Bresonis; Joanne Enten and son-in-law D. Robert Enten, Esq.; sons, Dr. A.J. Morini and daughter-in-law Barbara (Iannotti); Thomas Morini and daughter-in-law Martha (Dugan). Al is survived by 11 grandchildren: Katie McKee (John), John Bresonis (Martha), Maggie Stoughton (Mark), Alex Enten (Menaka), Caroline Dabney (David), Chelsea Morini (Ben), Brian Morini (Leslie), Megan Morini (Raúl), Hannah Morini-Stewart (Rob), Julia Pagliarini (Tom), Thomas M. Morini, and 18 great grandchildren. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. Al was predeceased by his siblings Louis, Rena (Cotugno), and Salvatore, and by his grandson Patrick Bresonis (Julie).

Beyond all else, the cornerstone and focus of Al’s life was his love and dedication to his wife Mary, their four children, 12 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at  Riley Mortuary, 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, August 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St Mary’s Church, Amsterdam,  with Fr. Juanito Asprec officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Dr. Morini’s name may be made to St. Mary’s Church..

To leave a message for the family, please visit www.rileymortuary.com