Obituary of Albert V Florio

Albert Vincent Florio May 11, 1948 - May 24, 2021 Albert (usually known as Al) was born, not as Albert, but as John David Bogart. He was adopted by Albert and Marian Florio who never let him know that he was anything other than their son. He grew up over the Colonial Tavern in Bernardsville, operated by his father, and, later, on Mt. Airy Road. He attended St. Elizabeth’s Elementary School and Bernards High School, and earned a two-year degree from the Somerset County Vocational Technical Institute. In high school, he excelled at being the equivalent of the Fonz (before there was a Fonz) - rebellious, interested in motor cycles, and long-haired (by 1960s standards). He found he loved music, especially rock and roll, and he was a part of three bands (The SilverTones, the Victims of Progress, and Great Swamp Elephant) with Jerry Colavito, Bob Oliva, and Doug Post, among others. Those friendships have stayed strong throughout the years. The music they created meant a lot to him. He worked as a draftsman for several companies, ending up at Landis & Gyr where he drafted HVAC plans for the Javits Center, Trump Tower, and the Twin Towers. When the Twin Towers were attacked in 2001, the arches he drew did not fall until they were torn down. He found a life-long hobby in historical reenacting and joined Lamb’s Artillery Company in 1974. He became its commander after the death of Joe Rixon, one its founders. From that time to the present, he took care of the unit’s three-pounder cannon and read every book he could find on 18th century artillery. Slowly, deliberately, so that he could quote them – and tell you which page and paragraph to look at! He was Lamb’s commander at the time of his death. He considered one of his accomplishments the creation and promotion of the double search, double sponge procedure which makes firing these guns safer for the gun crew. This procedure has been adopted by the Rev War artillery community and for other time periods. He leaves a step-son, Chris Lockett, and a son, Michael Florio, and his wife, Frances Pickin Florio. He was predeceased by his parents and by Trudy Aymara, his first wife. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to an historical institution of your choice.