Obituary of Alfred G. Pratt, Jr.
Alfred G. Pratt Jr., 78 of Blairstown, New Jersey passed away on June 27. Al was born on February 18, 1945, to Alfred G. Pratt Sr. and Betty Marie Butler in Rome, New York.
Al graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1962. He went to Cornell University for one year. In 1978, Al married Diane Adsit and moved to New Jersey to open his own wire company – Jersey Strand & Cable Inc.
In 1978, Al started Jersey Strand & Cable, Inc. making fine wire, strand & cable for many industries. For over 45 years, Al developed many products including the first strand for the Pacemaker. He developed & produced the strand and braid used to create the Eisenhower Memorial Tapestry on the mall in Washington, DC. Al worked alongside his son, John for over 41 years, who will inherit the company & manage it going forward.
Sinc. Inc was founded in 1983 with his business partner and great friend, Alan Camilleri to make wire braid. In 1998, Al and Alan bought a 100,000 square foot building in Phillipsburg, NJ, where the companies currently reside. Al was a lifetime member of the wire association.
Al was a tremendous businessman. He loved finding innovative ways in growing his business and deeply cared for his employees.
While Al was known for having a stubborn side, what he will be most remembered for was his love for spending time with his family, traveling, and camping. Al’s hobbies were NASCAR, Golfing and watching football. He enjoyed traveling to NASCAR races, Phoenix, and St. John US Virgin Islands. He spent summers at his summer home in the Thousand Islands. He also had a passionate love affair with ice cream. He will be deeply missed.
Al is survived by his wife, Diane and his four children: John Pratt (Vicki Smith), Wendy Bowen (John), Amara Pratt, Jessica Mattox (Collis III). Eight grandchildren, Natash Pratt (Sabrina DaSilva), Salena Ortiz (Sean), Rhiley Pratt, Kyle Smith (Shania), Hannah Bowen, Ryan Bowen, Seth Meshach (Amanda), and Brooklyn Gardner. Six great grandchildren – Charlotte Capersino, Noemi Ortiz, Charlotte Meshach, Jameson Meshach, Hudson Smith, Violet Smith, and sister Joyce Lambert. Al is predeceased by his brother William Pratt and sister Susanne Brown.
Al’s funeral will be held on Saturday, July 22, at 11 AM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 10 to 11 AM prior to the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, and Tunnel to Towers Foundation.