Read on Twitter
My grandfather Albert (Al) Vass, 86, passed away last night on Staten Island, surrounded by his family.
In the wrestling ring, he was known by his stage name, Al Samson, and once upon a time, he was crowned “Mr. Brooklyn.” But to me and my family, he was Poppy. I’m heartbroken.
In the wrestling ring, he was known by his stage name, Al Samson, and once upon a time, he was crowned “Mr. Brooklyn.” But to me and my family, he was Poppy. I’m heartbroken.
As a kid, my sister and I spent every Friday sleeping over at my Nini and Poppy’s house — and my Poppy would regale us with stories from his brief time as a professional wrestler and decades as a professional wrestling referee, which put him in the ring with some all-time greats.
But his day job was with Brooklyn Union Gas, where he enjoyed a long career and learned the mantra he constantly passed on to his family: “Safety first!”
He was also a dapper dresser — I didn’t even know he owned t-shirts until we went to the beach one time.
He was also a dapper dresser — I didn’t even know he owned t-shirts until we went to the beach one time.
And of course, he was a loving husband to his late wife and my Nini, his Gracie. A devoted dad to my mother Judi and her late brother Gerard. And an amazing Poppy to me and my sister Kelsey.
I am immensely thankful to the staff at Staten Island University Hospital for taking care of him in his final days, and thankful to the universe that he didn’t contract covid — so we were able to be by his side until the end. We will miss him so very much.
Also, if you’re interested in wrestling, check out this story I wrote about him in the Advance a while back: https://www.silive.com/news/2012/05/staten_island_security_guard_w.html
