Alexander "Al" Michael McElroy

Alexander “Al” Michael McElroy, age 83, of Waretown, NJ, died peacefully surrounded by his family on August 4th, 2024. Al fought a courageous battle against Mesothelioma for over three years, greatly surpassing his doctors’ expectations. His final fight against cancer epitomizes his relentless grit and hard work that fashioned this son of Irish parentage into a successful business owner. 

Al, one of eight children born to Maryanne and Lawrence McElroy, learned the value of hard work at a young age. To satisfy his growing desire for independence and his love of a hearty meal, he was known to find work wherever he could. As a young boy, he had a paper route and worked at a local business. He learned to raise chickens for their eggs to provide both extra cash and food. He also planted a garden, the beginning of this lifelong love which culminated in his legendary vegetable garden at the shore and his beloved Jersey tomatoes. 

After graduating from Father Judge High School he served his country in the Korean War as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. When he returned home, he met his wife Norma and they settled in Drexel Hill, PA, where they raised their three children. He joined the Steamfitters Union Local 420 where he excelled in the pipefitting and rigging trades. Determined to provide a better life for his family he started his own rigging and demolition business. Specializing in complex projects, his business earned a reputation for doing the impossible. His passion for his work was unwavering as he continued to work and consult on local area jobs until a few months before his passing. 

Besides his family and his business, his other great passion was fishing off the New Jersey coast. If he was not on a job, he could be found working on his boat, fishing or enjoying a beer on the porch of his shore house with his many close friends. 

Friends and family will not only remember Al for his unmatched work ethic but also for his unseen generosity. He often concealed these gifts from others preferring only to be known as one they could turn to in need.

In addition to Al’s parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry, Jack, Charles and his sister Maureen Smith. Al is survived by his wife, Norma and his siblings, Catherine, Thomas, Frank, and Maryann and by his three children, Susan Bramley and her husband, Jack; Julie McElroy; and Alex McElroy and his wife, Virginia. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Jack, Austin and Sophia (children of Susan and Jack), Bobby, Gigi, Audrey and Emily (children of Julie) and Alex, Michael, Anna, James, and Matthew (children of Alex and Virginia) and one great grandson Hans. 

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation, Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Funeral Mass will be livestreamed beginning at approximately 11:00 AM.  Please click the following link to proceed to livestreamed Funeral Mass, https://omgcparish.org/live. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Al’s memory would be appreciated to Camilla Hall, 100 Maxis Drive, Malvern, PA 19355, https://secure.etransfer.com/EFT/custom/SIHM/FlexBlockCode/Donation1.cfm?d2org=SRSofIHM&d2tool=donate.