Al Dichiara was a Marine sniper in Viet Nam, New Jersey police office, NJ school teacher, armorer for the DOE facility in Aiken, SC, and an incredible gunsmith for S&W revolvers and most other firearms.
He was my friend for 30+ years. I am proud to own two 1911 45 ACP pistols he built for me with hand fitted parts, a custom Ruger 10-22 that out shoots most center fire rifles at 100 yards, and a blue printed Remington 700 in 308 Win capable of reaching out and touching almost anything.
The last year of his life very difficult. Bladder cancer from radiation exposure at work. A fall in his kitchen caused a broken hip, surgical replacement in March 2022 that caused more infections, complications, and started dialysis. He was out of the hospital in early October for 2 weeks on kidney dialysis at home.
He had surgery for bladder cancer, developed an infection, and passed away Monday morning, 10-17-22, with his daughter at his side.
Al was the finest S&W pistol smith in the Southeast. His expertise was unmatched. His funniest quote was, "I don't advertise because I don't want to work that hard. My guns do it for me." He always had six+ projects going on in the shop with multiple people waiting. If he could not buy parts, he made them out of something he did have.
He loved children, his grand children were his life, he would do anything to help a child. He lost his wife Edie to Covid following a month in the hospital without seeing her. He said 'Goodbye' when she was loaded into an ambulance. They were married 53 years.
Sunday I will attend his funeral. This year has been brutal, I pray 2023 will be better. I have lost too many dear friends.
From his obituary written by his daughter:
Al had a love of weaponry from the time he was a small boy growing up in Bayonne, NJ. He had a natural knack for this detailed work, and it wound up changing his life. After building a .44 Magnum Revolver for Clint Eastwood to use in Dirty Harry 3, Al was off to the races, going on to also build a custom weapon for Dale Earnhardt. He quickly became known for his amazing ability to make even the highest quality weapons even better. It became known as the "Al Dichiara Blessing".
He was my friend for 30+ years. I am proud to own two 1911 45 ACP pistols he built for me with hand fitted parts, a custom Ruger 10-22 that out shoots most center fire rifles at 100 yards, and a blue printed Remington 700 in 308 Win capable of reaching out and touching almost anything.
The last year of his life very difficult. Bladder cancer from radiation exposure at work. A fall in his kitchen caused a broken hip, surgical replacement in March 2022 that caused more infections, complications, and started dialysis. He was out of the hospital in early October for 2 weeks on kidney dialysis at home.
He had surgery for bladder cancer, developed an infection, and passed away Monday morning, 10-17-22, with his daughter at his side.
Al was the finest S&W pistol smith in the Southeast. His expertise was unmatched. His funniest quote was, "I don't advertise because I don't want to work that hard. My guns do it for me." He always had six+ projects going on in the shop with multiple people waiting. If he could not buy parts, he made them out of something he did have.
He loved children, his grand children were his life, he would do anything to help a child. He lost his wife Edie to Covid following a month in the hospital without seeing her. He said 'Goodbye' when she was loaded into an ambulance. They were married 53 years.
Sunday I will attend his funeral. This year has been brutal, I pray 2023 will be better. I have lost too many dear friends.
From his obituary written by his daughter:
Al had a love of weaponry from the time he was a small boy growing up in Bayonne, NJ. He had a natural knack for this detailed work, and it wound up changing his life. After building a .44 Magnum Revolver for Clint Eastwood to use in Dirty Harry 3, Al was off to the races, going on to also build a custom weapon for Dale Earnhardt. He quickly became known for his amazing ability to make even the highest quality weapons even better. It became known as the "Al Dichiara Blessing".
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