Beato, Alfred M.

Alfred M. Beato, Age 83

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Al, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and cherished member of the Fairport & Naples, FL communities. He passed away peacefully on February 11th with his family at his side, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, food and cherished memories.

Born to Italian immigrants, Florence (Stolt) and Joseph Beato, they instilled in him the values of hard work and resilience – Al was deeply proud of his Italian heritage. He graduated from Fairport High School in 1959 and went on to study design at Syracuse University where he also earned his Master of Fine arts. 

Al went on to teach Art for over 30 years at Greece Central School district where he met the love of his life, Carol, on the staff that opened Arcadia High School. He touched the lives and inspired countless students with his passion for drawing & painting, ceramics, and jewelry. 

Al and Carol were married in 1970 in Medina, NY and were the proud parents of three children. Mary (Jamie) Fili, Christopher (John Cullen) and Greg (Susan).  Al was so proud of the accomplishments of his children and their partners and loved to share stories of their work with others. He loved and cherished his grandchildren, Clara Fili, and Marco & Dominic Beato and got such joy out of watching them flourish.

Family was everything for Al – especially his love for his sister, Mary Beato. They had a special brother-sister bond that inspired the entire family.  Having lost his dear brother, David, at the age of 69, he cherished his Beato nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his beloved sister-in-law, Jane. 

If you knew Al, you know his love for food which he got from his mother, Florence.  Cooking was not just a passion – it was a way of life.  Family gatherings were the heart of his home, and he took great pride in bringing everyone around the table to share in the warmth of his kitchen. Just a week before his passing, he lovingly cooked gnocchi and sauce for his granddaughter’s birthday, leaving behind a cherished memory for generations to come.

Al & Carol enjoyed over 20 years as “snowbirds” in Naples, FL.  They cherished the deep friendships they made there over the years. 

A consummate storyteller, Al had a gift for captivating audiences with his tales, effortlessly holding the attention of all who gathered around him. Whether sharing anecdotes from his own life, his travels with Carol and Chris & John or weaving intricate narratives, his stories were always infused with humor and a touch of Italian flair.

Friends and family may call on Sunday, February 18th from 1pm-4pm at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (EGYPT LOCATION), 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd. Fairport, NY 14450. A Mass in celebration of Al’s life will be held at Church of the Assumption in Fairport on Monday, February 19^th at 11:00am.   

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).