Dr. Alexander Joseph Fekete, 88 Obituary
The following obituary is from Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home:
Dr. Alexander Joseph Fekete, age 88, died peacefully on November 9, 2023. He was born in Bridgeport on November 28, 1934 to the late Alexander and Mary Suich Fekete and was a lifelong Fairfield/Southport resident.
Al attended Grasmere School and Fairfield Prep. He then earned his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University, graduating in ’56, his master’s degree in chemistry from Boston College, graduating in ’58 and his PhD in chemistry from UConn, graduating in ’67. He worked as a chemist at McKessons and Data Products; and from there, became a professor at Sacred Heart University for 25 years before retiring in 2020 at the age of 85.
Al was a passionate gardener and especially took great pride in his crops of garlic and tomatoes. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed doing puzzles. Beyond spending time with his family, he enjoyed sharing his Hungarian heritage with anyone who would listen but his biggest passion, of course, was chemistry. He especially enjoyed teaching his grandchildren the periodic table of elements at a very young age as well as inspiring his students at SHU. In addition, Al was a proud member of the Bridgeport Elks since 1957 and earned the Distinguished Citizenship Award in 2020.
Al is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Carolin Fekete; sister, Barbara Fencil (Carroll); three children, Alexander Fekete (Whitney) of Boxborough, MA, Steven Fekete (Susan) of Fairfield and Michelle Fehmel (Tim) of Flowery Branch, GA; as well as four grandchildren, Emma Fekete, Julia Fekete, Mason Fehmel and Charlotte Fehmel, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Ann Fekete.
Contributions can be made in Al’s memory to the Chemistry General Scholarship Account at the University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc. Checks made payable to the UConn Foundation, Inc. can be mailed to: The UConn Foundation, Inc., Attn: Data Services, 2390 Alumni Dr., Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269-3206. Donations can also be made online at https://www.foundation.uconn.edu/giving-details/ or by phone at 1-800-269-9965.
All services are private.
