Alan P. Hilla Sr., 82, of Brielle, NJ, passed away on February 17, 2022 after a series of health issues over the past few years.  Al, as he was known to most people, was born on Friday, November 13, 1939 to Edward and Marie (Harrington) Hilla of Newark, NJ.  He graduated from Belleville High School in 1958 and went on to Clemson University to study history and mathematics and play football for the Tigers.  He graduated from Clemson in 1962 and relocated to the Jersey Shore area to embark on a career as a civil engineer.

Al’s early career positions were with Robilt, Edward C. Reilly and Kovacs Engineering firms. In 1972, he joined The Birdsall Corporation in South Belmar. He would spend the next 32 years of his career becoming a major shareholder and expanding the business from a handful of staff members when he arrived to over 200 employees when he retired.  His professional achievements included completing a then unfinished Great Adventure Theme Park, developing Wawa Convenience Stores and Walmart’s in numerous states, developing many keystone residential and commercial projects throughout NJ and serving as Municipal Engineer for the Borough of Brielle and the City of Long Branch for decades.  However, Al's proudest professional accomplishment was helping to develop his people into leaders, many of whom are captains of the industry locally to this day.

In 1962, he met Catherine Carpinello at the Jersey Shore. They were married in 1966.  Together, they raised five wonderful children.  Al was very fortunate that all of his children and grandchildren lived in Brielle or nearby as it allowed him and Cathy the opportunity to participate significantly in all of their lives. 

Anyone who knew Al could count on him hanging on the fence nearby the field hockey, baseball, lacrosse and softball fields or in the stands for football and basketball games.  He adored following his children and grandchildren in their athletic pursuits, be it on the recreational, grammar school, high school or collegiate level.  Al was one of the founders, the first ever and a long-time president of the Manasquan Football Club.  The goals of this organization were to help secure the necessary resources for the football program beyond those provided by the school and to honor the Senior players for their contributions to the program.  Founded in 1982, the Manasquan Football Club remains an integral contributor to the program, continuing to provide support to the team and fulfilling the same objectives Al helped develop 40 years ago.

Al was lucky to have enjoyed his retirement years by being able to expand on his favorite hobbies, namely fishing and golf.  He used to say that you could only be good in one or the other, but in retirement, he found a way to be pretty good at both.  Being snow birds, he and Cathy spent their winters in Florida, helping to expand his seasons to have a rod or a club in his hands.  Al was also a classic car and boat admirer, history buff, an avid reader and a diehard Clemson fan.

Alan was predeceased by his father Edward, mother Marie and brother Edward Jr.  He is survived by his sister Marilyn, his loving wife of 56 years, Catherine, daughters Christine Savino (Michael) and Jennifer Introna (Joseph), and sons Alan Jr. (Judy), Brian (Danny) and John (Stacy).  Alan will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Cary, Evan, Joey, Bella, Jay, Anna, Luciano, Antonina, Jack, Maria and Grayson. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. All of whom will miss him greatly.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 31, 2022 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 10:00am in St. Peter’s Church, 406 Forman Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Please go directly to the Church on Friday morning, there will not be a procession from the funeral home.

In observance of the Catholic period of Lent, no flowers will be allowed in the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or the Manasquan Football Club, c/o Chris Sawitsky, 506 Woodland Ave. Brielle NJ. 08730 or the Wounded Warriors Project at www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org  in memory of Alan P. Hilla Sr. would be greatly appreciated.

To offer condolences to the Hilla family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com