Alfred "Al" Osvaldo Puntel

In the early morning of Ash Wednesday 2025, Alfred Osvaldo (“Al”) Puntel, 73, passed into God’s loving embrace, after living with Parkinson's Disease for many years. A devoted husband, father, teacher, and friend, Al leaves behind a legacy of overflowing love and unwavering faith.

Al was the only child of Italian immigrant parents and spoke two dialects of Italian at home - Abruzzese with his mother, Giustina (née Romano), and Friulian with his father, Matteo. He was affectionately called Dino by his family. He learned early on how to lay bricks, make wine, cook, compost, do carpentry, and other handiwork; DIY skills and a can-do attitude stayed with him throughout his life. Al met Betsy (née Elizabeth Fauerbach), his wife of 49 years, through Msgr. F.X. Schmidt and their shared work in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Community Service Corps. Together they raised six children and built a family life centered around daily Mass, prayer and service.

Al spent 40 years teaching theology to young men with the Christian Brothers, first at St. Gabriel’s Hall and then at La Salle College High School, where he served as department chairperson and left an indelible mark on generations of students. He often prayed with his students: “Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.” Al’s commitment to living the teachings of the Catholic Church extended to his relationship with the Vincentians, advocacy for fair housing, Christian nonviolence, respect for life, and social justice.

Al’s dedication to his family and faith was evident in his support of Betsy’s work in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and in his care for their six children, nurturing their talents and teaching them the values of community and love around the dinner table and beyond. Al's later years were marked by physical challenges, but he faced them with unwavering strength, grace, and a profound trust in God. He powerfully bore witness to his belief that in our weakness, God’s strength shines.

Al is survived by his wife, Betsy, and their six children – Christina (Mark Badstubner), Susanna, Andrew (the late Guna Pantele), Maria (Kevin) Kurtz , Rose, and Jeremy, and six grandchildren - Jonah, Gabriela, Mateo, Ava, Grady, and Joel, who brought him great joy. Al’s children and grandchildren are deeply saddened by the loss of their “Papa/Pop” and “Nonno/Bop,” and they carry his gentle spirit in their hearts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Mother of Consolation Church on Saturday, March 15, at 10 am.  The family will receive visitors from 9-10 am, before the service.  Burial will take place after the service at St. Matthew’s Cemetery in Conshohocken.  A lunch will follow at St. Matthew's Parish Hall and all are invited.  The Mass will be live streamed and may be viewed using the following link:  Livestream for Mass

In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s memory may be made to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. Cnewa 

Read a longer version of this obituary here: Full Obituary

Read La Salle Brother James Butler’s letter here: Brother James Butler's Letter

Memories from Al’s grandkids are happening here: Memories from Al's grandkids

Al, may you live in Jesus’ heart forever!