Al Cottonaro

Tunnel- Hill- Albert Lee “Al” Cottonaro, 79, of Tunnel Hill, passed away at 4:00 AM, Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Parkway Manor in Marion. Al was born on July 13, 1939 in Carbondale to Phillip and Edna (Swinford) Cottonaro. He married his former wife Barbara Wingerter and she lives in in Murphysboro. He later married Jean Ann Lewis on December 19, 1992 at Saratoga Church in Union County. Together they have shared 26 years. Al served his country courageously as a US Navy Diver. He was instrumental in helping the Navy with Atomic bomb testing. He served aboard the USS Hoist, a bolster class rescue and salvage ship that actively took part in many notable missions including the recovery of the USS Thresher tragedy and recovery of an H bomb off the coast of Spain. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and began a career working many years as the equipment supervisor for Van Cluster Trucking in Murphysboro prior to his retirement in 1985. He was a Christian who volunteered many hours for TCT Television. He was a jack of all trades who would help out anyone who needed it, often at the expense of projects he was currently doing at home. He was a hardworking man who cared for his wife. He was quite mechanically inclined and could fix anything. In his spare time he enjoyed grilling and bbq’ing meat for his many friends and spending time outdoors travelling to Louisiana and camping. Survivors include- Wife- Jean Ann Cottonaro of Tunnel Hill Daughter- Joyce “Pumpkin” Blanchette and husband Michael of Mt. Vernon Daughter- Debra Son- Clarence Curry and wife Glenda of Benton Son- Curtis Curry and wife Patty of Florida Jean Ann’s Children that he considered his own: Christy King of Tunnel Hill Jerry Wayne Grammer of Murphysboro Buster Thompson of Tunnel Hill 6 grandchildren plus 7 step grandchildren 4 great grandchildren plus 1 step great grandchild Brother- Mike Flanigan of Marion Brother- Keith Flanigan of Northern Illinois He was preceded in death by his parents and sister- Jo Ann Bethel. A private family service will be held at a later date. Inurnment will take place at Mounds National Cemetery. Military rites will be performed graveside by the United States Navy. Memorial services were arranged at Blue Funeral Home in Goreville. Memorial donations are suggested to Disabled American Veterans or Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children and will be accepted at Blue Funeral Home/ 812 S. Broadway/ Goreville, IL 62939. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.bluefuneralhome.com