Albert R. Rago, Esquire

October  27^th 1942 – May 11^th 2023

We are very sad to announce the passing of Albert R. Rago, Esquire, on May 11, 2023 at the age of 80, at his home in Maple Shade, NJ.  He was a monumental person whose departure leaves an unfillable absence in our hearts.  Al is survived by his loving wife, Janice, his daughters, Caroline (Rago) Campbell and Kate (Rago) Schwartz, stepson Peter Papaleo, sister and brother-in-law Sandra and Nicholas Finio, grandchildren Olivia and Alexander Schwartz, sons-in-law James Campbell and Jeffrey Schwartz, nephew Christopher Finio and niece Alexandra Handza.

Oxford’s dictionary defines a Renaissance Man as “a person who has wide interests and is expert in several areas.”  Alternatively, you could just list a picture of Al.

Devoted husband, father, son, brother, and best friend, in good times and bad, Al was your confidante.  He was the first call for many when we wanted to share something about our lives, get advice, a recipe, or simply discuss the day.  Metaphysical musings or just what to serve for dinner, Al kept tabs on all the moments of our lives, and simultaneously a macro perspective on world events.  He was always the most well-informed, yet somehow the most humble person in the room.

While his accomplishments and interests are too vast to name, Family was above everything to him.  He was proud of his ancestors and relatives and so involved in all of our lives. This was evidenced in how he cared for us on the daily and in his choice to leave us on his beloved parents’ wedding anniversary.  During one of his debilitating rounds of cancer treatment, Al penned his “Bristol Tales,” an intimate portrait of an Italian childhood in a small immigrant town.  His legal briefs and his personal writings were concise, witty, and always poignant. 

As an undergraduate at Dickinson College, Al partied famously with his friends and fraternity brothers, many of whom remain close with him today.  He fell in love with jazz music and saw many of the greats perform live.  A successful young attorney who was published in the Law Review, Al expressed his independent thinking and ethics, pioneering his own firm, sporting a beard in court in the 1970’s, and serving many clients pro bono, always helping those in need with kindness and sage advice.   He carried on his father’s legacy to help those around him and championed personal and charitable causes with great impact.  He was inducted into the US Supreme Court. Al  had a warrior’s  heart  and  fought  with determination until the end. 

Al loved all animals, the outdoors, and wildlife, a passion gained through childhood summers with his own Papi in the Pocono Mountains. He passed this passion and respect for the natural world on to his grandchildren.  Al learned about horses as an adult, breeding and training showjumping champions while managing the family barn as well as a racing syndicate.  He treasured his small fishing boat and his time on the open water.  At their condo in Ventnor, he would kiss Janice goodbye and head out before dawn with his rods, excited to see what the catch of the day would be.  He took his friends and grandkids out to watch the birds, catch fish, or trap crabs, narrating along with the hum of the motor or the silence of the breeze.

If you wanted to know how to peel an onion without crying, the rules and workings of the US congress, impeccably groom a horse, trim the sails on a yacht, read tides, tie a fly, navigate traffic, sharpen your knives, bonsai a tree, plant a garden, discuss literature, or bait a hook, Al was there to show you.  He had perfect pitch, did not suffer fools, and would call things in stark reality.  Al could be a fiery advocate or a pragmatic peacemaker. He brought fight and passion to all his critiques, whether to a legal case or his own mortality. 

Al’s zest for life was beyond compare, and the world will feel empty without this Renaissance man.  We are beyond grateful for all he has left us, and for the beautiful way he has taught us how to love.

Please join us in sharing a message, a memory, or photo of Al. Thank you for your love and support. ❤️

In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) and/or the American Civil Liberties Union ACLU (www.aclu.org).

Written by Sparrow Campbell & Kate Schwartz