Obituary of Alfred R. Bysiewicz

Alfred R. Bysiewicz, 7/25/1928 – 3/11/2008, of Venice, FL, formerly of East Haven, CT, was a Marine and Army veteran who served in the Korean War. After 34 years on the New Haven, CT Fire Department he retired in 1985 as Deputy Chief. During his career Al continued his education in fire department management with certificates in Human Relations, Municipal Fire Administration, and Labor Relations. For 30 years he was the official photographer for the New Haven Fire Department, responding to all major fires and department events. Many of his pictures won national acclaim by the International Association of Fire Photographers and some appear in the “New Haven Firefighters” book issued by Arcadia Publishing Company in 2005. He served for several years as president of Box 22 Associates, a New Haven Fire Buffs organization, and was a member of the Executive Board of New Haven Firefighters Local 825. He was commended by the Board of Fire Commissioners in 1969 for his actions at a multi alarm fire on Grand Avenue. He also received four unit citations in 1976, three as Battalion Chief, for multiple alarm fires and one for a rescue at the mountain ridge at West Rock Park. He was one of the first members of the NHFD scuba team and a member of the arson investigation team. He also served on the Board of Commissioners for the town of East Haven, CT. As well as his fire department career, he was owner of Alby Photos, a successful wedding photography business he operated for 37 years. Al was a devoted husband to his loving wife of 57 years, Grace Rostad Bysiewicz, formerly of West Haven, CT; beloved father to daughter Linda Thibodeau and her husband Paul of Dover, NH, son Raymond Bysiewicz and his wife Nina of Delray Beach, FL; proud grandfather to Dan Thibodeau, a senior business major at UMiami; mentor and inspiration to granddaughter and photographer Leah Thibodeau, UDelaware. He is also survived by his sister Delores Zirlis of Hamden, CT and her family, and his favorite cousins Lorraine Cronin and Helen Novak. Al was predeceased by parents Victoria and John Bysiewicz, and brother George. He enjoyed his retirement in Venice where he was an avid golfer and indulged his love for travel and new experiences. As a former resident of Sandalwood Park, he made many lifelong friends.