Alphonse "Al" Anthony Mercadante

Alphonse “Al" Mercadante, 72, died peacefully with family by his side at Ashton Health and Rehab on Saturday, July 24, 2021.

Born in Avellino, Italy to Adolfo & Gina Mercadante, Al and family moved to Agawam, MA when he was very young. An accomplished athlete, Al was a starter on a varsity football squad that won 26 straight games and was later inducted into the Agawam High School Hall of Fame. Al was awarded all Western-Mass honors; the highest achievement for high school football players at that time. He went on to captain the Guilford College football team on a scholarship and graduated with a B.A. in Education. 

Al had a successful career as a math teacher and coach at Allen Jay Middle School in High Point. His students and players were grateful for his tough but fair style of teaching and coaching. He went on to receive his Master of Education Administration from North Carolina A&T University. 

Al was a good friend to many and “Merc” will be remembered for his good sense of humor, work ethic and kindness. 

Even with all his accomplishments on the field and in the classroom, his greatest affection was for his children, Mike (Jamie), Mary Beard (Craig) and David (Emily). Though he never made a lot of money, he gladly gave all he could to ensure his children never had a need. Of all his good qualities, his generosity shines brightest. In his later years, “Grandpa Owl” would enjoy long shopping trips to “spoil” his 11 grandchildren: Evan, Mikey, Josiah, Isaac, Cadence, Karis, Rees, and Lucy, Maggie, Oliver and Hope. 

Al was preceded in death by his sister Luisa and is survived by the aforementioned family as well as parents Pauolina and Samuel Rinaldi, brother Gino (Judy) Mercadante, and sister Anna Smitkowski (Peter).

A graveside service celebrating Al’s life will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, July 29th at Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting Cemetery (3673 Hoover Hill Road, Trinity, NC 27370) with Pastor Mike Sirianni officiating.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Ashton Health and Rehab in McLeansville for their tireless care for Al and Hospice of Guilford County for ensuring his comfort in his final days. 

Memorials in honor of Al can be made to AuthoraCare Collective (formerly Hospice of Greensboro), 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.

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