Albert P. Mina, age 83 years, of Kingwood Township, NJ, died peacefully on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at home, surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice, as a result of complications related to cancer.

Albert was born at Saint Francis Medical Center in Trenton, NJ and he was the youngest child of his beloved parents Vincent (Vincenzo) and Grace (Grazia) Carolla Mina.  Vincent and Grace immigrated to the United States from Italy in the early 1900s, and their children were first generation American Citizens. Alby’s father was a World War I veteran and awarded the Purple Heart for his service.

The Mina family lived on North Main Street in Flemington.  Their house was next to their family business, Flemington Floral Company & Greenhouses, which was started by his father in 1923. The Minas were parishioners of St. Magdalen Roman Catholic Church in Flemington, NJ.

Alby spent his childhood working in the family greenhouses, tending to the flowers, and designing in the family shop.  He loved sharing stories about how he and the other kids in Flemington would play in the creeks and fields, go to the movie for 20 cents, and put pennies on the train tracks in the old bygone days of Flemington.

Alby attended the Salesian School in Goshen, NY and then transitioned to La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale, NY.  In 1957, he transferred to his hometown Hunterdon Central Regional High School in order to look after his father, who had a stroke.  Al graduated in 1958 and, afterwards, joined the NJ Army National Guard.  This allowed Al to serve his country while continuing to care for his parents and run the family business.

At the age of 24, while Al was at the Flemington Fair, he met the love of his life, Joy Zengel.  After dating for a year, Al and Joy were married at St. Agnes’s Church in Stockton, NJ by Reverend William Hewitt on October 3, 1964, and afterwards resided in Flemington.

After their marriage, Al and Joy spent much of their time on the Zengel Farm in Delaware Township, NJ.  Al was known as “Uncle Al, the Kiddie’s Pal” to Joy’s younger brothers and sisters, and all their nieces and nephews.  Al loved to go fishing locally, saying “let’s go anglers!” and clamming in Long Beach Island with the extended Zengel family.

In 1968, Al and Joy moved to their current family home in Kingwood Township, NJ. In 1976, they welcomed Grace Ann Marie, and Vincent Nicholas followed in 1983. Both children were baptized by Father Nestor of Our Lady of Victories Church – their family’s parish of over 50 years.

Family vacations often centered around Long Beach Island and included day trips to amusement parks, kite flying, fishing (that mostly resulted in the kids catching sunnies) and family picnics. Al and Joy also took Grace and Nick to Walt Disney World, which they still think back on with fond memories.

In 1968, Al began working at RCA/GE/Harris Corp. in Somerville, NJ.  In 1990 Al started a new career at Scientific Instrument Services until his retirement in 2005.  During these years, Al also returned to his love of flowers when he and Joy owned Rose’s Country Florist in Flemington in the 1980s, and when he worked at Helen’s Florist in Whitehouse Station in the 1990s.

Anyone knowing Al, knew that Al loved to cook.  He was always excited to try out new dishes and researched recipes on the internet.  He would joke that he would only make a recipe once, except for the recipe of Joy’s meatballs.  When he heard that someone was under the weather, he would immediately cook up a pot of homemade soup, because to Al, homemade meals meant love.

In 2009, his beloved Joy heard the words that no one wants to hear: “you have cancer.”  Al took great care of Joy while she battled through her disease with determination. Throughout her battles, Al would be her loving caregiver until her passing in March 2021. In July 2022, Al then heard those same words again and fought bravely until the end.

Above all else, Al and Joy loved being grandparents.  Elizabeth and Jack kept them on their toes, and Pop Pop and Nanny loved to be doting grandparents.  Pop built them a jungle gym and playhouse in his yard, even though Joy and Grace said no. There were always ice cream cones and desserts ready for them at the end of the day.  Al was the epitome of a loving father and grandfather.

Albert is predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Joy Mina, his parents Vincent and Grace Mina, his brothers Pete, Tony and Vincent Jr., his sisters Mary and Rose, his brothers-in-law Frank Zengel and John Gromlowicz, and members of the extended Mina and Zengel families.

Albert is survived by his daughter, Grace Ann Mina and Grace’s partner, Harry Kerr of Raritan Township, NJ; his son, Vincent Mina of Titusville, NJ; and his beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth & John “Jack” Hitchcock, of Raritan Township, NJ.  Albert is also survived by his loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, 33 nieces and nephews, and many, many great-nieces and great-nephews.

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