Alto Joseph Furlong Jr., Captain. Born March 14, 1934, and flew west April 21, 2015. Born in Indianapolis IN where he attended Cathedral High School.
He began flying at the age of 16 with his father, becoming the first father & son helicopter team in Teterboro, NJ.
He flew for various small airlines, including helicopters, where he met his loving wife, Marilyn. They were married on December 31, 1956 in Santa Monica CA. He was then drafted into the United States Army in 1956 where he served in Fort Eustis, VA. There was a parade in his honor as a training instructor.
He then flew for North American Aviation in Los Angeles, CA before being hired by National Airlines in September of 1959.
He flew as a Captain on the 727 & DC10 and then flew with Pan Am on the A-300. After Pan Am, he flew with Air Afrique until he retired in 1994.
He was an avid golfer, a member of the Country Club of Miami, The National Buccaneers and The Quiet Birdmen. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marilyn, and his beloved children Alisa DeCarolis, Kathleen Bas and Alto Furlong III. He also left behind his grandchildren, Steven DeCarolis, Stacey DeCarolis, Anthony DeCarolis, predeceased, and Ryan Bas. He also left behind 2 great grandchildren, Emily & Ethan Ford.
He had many friends all over the world. Like a star in the evening sky, his spirit shall shine through eternity.
Visitation will take place on Monday, April 27, 2015, starting at 10:30 a.m. with a Tributes of a Lifetime Service at 11:45 a.m. at Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, University Drive Chapel. Interment with Military Honors will be at 2:15 p.m. at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.
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Pam Ra (WA USA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
Dear Marilyn, Alisa, Alto, Kathleen and family,
I know how difficult this time is for you right now. It is a pain that goes to your core. As you know, I’ve known Al nearly all my life. He was always the life of the party and never met a stranger! I’m so sorry he suffered so during this last illness but I’m confident he is now at peace. Take care of yourselves and each other and you just never know, I may be making a trip to see all of you in Florida one of these days!
Love to you all,
Pam
Steve Mills (Palm Coast FL USA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
I flew many trips with Al as a Flight Engineer on the 727 at National and Pan Am. He was always a great guy to fly with as well as an excellent pilot and fine gentleman. We truly enjoyed seeing him at the Buccaneers Conventions. He will be missed. Please accept our most sincere condolences.
Steve and Linda Mills
Charlie Koninsky (Marietta GA USA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
Many great memories flying the 727 with Al. Will miss seeing him at the NAL reunions. Condolences to the family.
Charles Amacker (FL)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
A great guy to fly with..Have a good trip West Al and don’t start the party with out us..
Houston Glover (Melbourne FL USA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
Condolences to the family. Al was a great pilot and friend to us all at National Airlines.
Dave James (Asheville NC USA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
Dear Al, A “supurb aviator” and a “fine
Gentleman” ~ ~ ~ To family and friends, Love
and Blessings ~
we will miss our colleague ~ ~ ~ we will enjoy
joyful reunions in “realms beyond”.
Until later, Dave
Art Fritz (Plantation FL)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
My condolences to Al’s family and friends. Al was a great guy to fly with and be with. He will be missed by all of us.
God Bless.
Art Fritz
Bob Thrasher (Fruitland Park FL USA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
What a fine man and pilot he was. I flew many a trip with him as a flight engineer and always enjoyed working with him. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Hart Kelley (North Captiva FL United States)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
It was always great to see Al’s name on a trip you were going to fly. He always had a smile and was a pleasure to fly with. We shared many fun trips and many great times at the Buccaneers reunions. He will be missed.
Rick DuPuis (Islamorada FL united states)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
To a true gentleman, with a great smile, you will be missed by all.
Bob Ferrel (Boynton Beach FL)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
Al,
i always enjoyed the many trips we flew together. Have a great trip West.
JACK WHICKER (SHARPSBURG GA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
AL was a “gentle giant” of a man!
GOD BLESS!
JACK WHICKER (SHARPSBURG GA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
AL was a “gentle giant” of a man!
GOD BLESS!
JACK WHICKER (SHARPSBURG GA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
AL was a “gentle giant” of a man!
GOD BLESS!
Joanne Cann (Miami Lakes FL USA)
April 25, 2015, 12:00 am
Always a gentleman, and a very nice person. He was greatly respected.
Judy Renko (Pompano Beach FL United States)
April 26, 2015, 12:00 am
God Bless
Dana Lovern (Los Angeles CA)
April 26, 2015, 12:00 am
Remember him as a good captain and a very nice man. Myself NAL1965-1981LAX/MIA/LAX//PANAM1981-1991LAX
Ernie Ohff (Brooksville FL USA)
April 26, 2015, 12:00 am
Marilyn,
I am remembering all the partys, dinners and general good fun we shared over the NAL/PAA years. We watched our kids grow up, skied behind our home and became good friends. We will miss Al. Our prayers are with you. Nell and Ernie
wALT kIIDER (Gainesville GA hALL)
April 26, 2015, 12:00 am
Lost the best buddy aman could have
Judy Rowe McCully (Hayesville NC United States)
April 26, 2015, 12:00 am
A true gentleman and great person.
Many good memories.
Evelyn Rose (NC)
April 26, 2015, 12:00 am
I always enjoyed flying with Al. He was a great pilot and a fine man.
Stacey DeCarolis ( pompano Beach FL usa)
April 26, 2015, 12:00 am
He was and will always be the world’s best grandpa a granddaughter could ever ask for I love you so much and am so greatful that I was the luckiest girl in the world to have u as my grandpa no one else we will miss u tearable but you will always be in my heart forever xoxo I love you to the moon !!!
Sherry Fassett-Bradley (Ocala FL United States)
April 27, 2015, 12:00 am
I flew charters with Al on North American Airlines based in CA in 1956.
He was a great pilot and a great friend. We both eventually went with
National Airlines in the saame year,
1956. I am saddened to hear of his
passing.
Stacey Rowe Barber (Macclenny FL USA)
April 27, 2015, 12:00 am
Nice and Pleasant man, flying with Al as Captain was always a smooth happy experience for the cockpit and cabin crews. Always smiling and happy.
Walter B. Duke, Jr. (Menasha WI)
April 27, 2015, 12:00 am
We are saddened with the passing of Alto. He was one of my very best friends. We never flew together, however we debriefed many a flight in the Club House.
I knew Alto from his Old Electra days, through National and Pan Am. We also flew a year for Air Afrique in Africa.
He was a good Captain, a great Sportsman, and an outstanding gentleman…. He was a quiet, but moving force at National Airlines.
..
He will be sorely missed.
Have a safe flight west…
Walter & Jeanne Duke
Connie Charlton (Brooksville FL usa)
April 28, 2015, 12:00 am
It was a pleasure to fly with Al at NAL..he was always upbeat, pleasant and a gentleman. His family was so very fortunate to share their lives with him. God Bless.
Ed Schmitt (Leesburg FL USA)
May 3, 2015, 12:00 am
Going to miss you a whole hell of a lot Fuzzy. We’ll get together down the road.
Debby Garrison (Pompano Beach FL America)
May 3, 2015, 12:00 am
I never knew Alto,but judging by his daughter and granddaughter he was a great man as they turned out great.Anyone who knows Alisa is a lucky person. Please remember during your grief that we love you,all of you
Mark (Pt. Charlotte FL USA)
June 24, 2015, 12:00 am
I always enjoyed working with Captain Furlong. I was out of the country and just found out he has “flown west.” Good Man, always a gentleman… quietly confident in his ability. Al exemplified a standard we could all only aspire to. God Bless Al.. Have a good flight my friend.