By Mercedes Rogalewski
After 13 years on the job, Al Colon retired from his post as doorman at 41 West 72nd Street on Friday. For 13 years he took great pleasure in helping all his tenants and all the people in the neighborhood. And it wasn’t just people he helped…some of his best friends in the neighborhood are four-legged and furry.
For 13 years he rode a train and bus from his home in the Bronx and neither rain nor sleet nor snow could keep him from doing something he loved very much. It gave him great pride to do his job, and go above and beyond. From looking out for his tenants late at night to being sure the dogs had their treats, Al did it all. And he loved every minute of it.
But at almost 72, it was time for him to hang up his cap and call it a career. It was a hard decision for a man who has worked for over 50 years, but one he had to make.
I know he will be missed, for his smile and laugh, his conversations, and his love for his dog friends. And of course everyone will miss seeing that trademark mustache!
As his daughter I just wanted to say thank you…thank you everyone who made my father feel appreciated. Thank you for making him feel like he made a difference when he went to work. Thank you for all the love you gave him. I’ll miss hearing stories about the people he saw all the time, and of course the great dogs he got to play with. And I know he’ll miss you all too…even if he can’t really say it. You all made a difference in his life, and I know he’ll think of you often and visit as much as he can.
Thank you all for making the past 13 years such a wonderful time for my dad, and for my family. Speaking for myself, my mom, my brother, and those 3 grandkids you’ve all heard about, we wish you all the very best and I promise we’ll take very good care of Al the doorman!
Editor’s Note: Al Colon was featured in our Profile of a Doorman series. See the article here for more pictures of Al, including shots of him when he was serving in the military during the Vietnam War.
Lovely portrait of an UWS I didn’t have the pleasure to meet. May he enjoy his retirement, congrats!!!
Amen to that! Thank you for your service to your country, community and family, sir. Enjoy your retirement.
We will miss Al at the Hermitage! He is an icon. Great to see him profiled here. Send him our best. Hope he comes back to visit once and a while. – Scott & Sarah
My wife and I loved at The Hermitage for 4 years. Al was like family to us – we always made a point to walk by to see if Al was working even after we moved. He is the greatest!
“My wife and I loved at The Hermitage…”
beautiful
Gonna miss the heck outta seeing Al!!! He ALWAYS had a smile & great energy. He will be greatly missed by two leggeds & 4 leggeds alike.
Enjoy yourself Al.
We lived in the building next door for 4 years and I looked forward to walking my dog, Frank, just so we could visit with Al. He was genuinely the best! An incredible human being with a heart of gold. He will definitely be missed but no one deserves a great retirement more than he does…enjoy, rest and celebrate that you added so much happiness to the community you worked in. Jessica, Darren & Frank
Al is a lovely man and I will miss saying hello to him when walking past the Hermitage. Wishing him all the best!!
A neighbor from Mayfair Towers
Al will truly be missed. He was a kind and gentle man. He used to hand out treats to my dogs who will always stop by hoping for a treat and a loving pet from Al. We would have liked so much to shake his hand and wish him well on his retirement.
June and Ira Rousso
Mayfair Towers
Sounds like a great guy but 13 years is nothing.
I loved Al….and so did my dog, Wilbur. I was so sad to not be able to say goodbye one last time. I live down the street in the Olcott, and Al was my favorite! Loved stopping to talk to him on my daily dog walks. He will be greatly missed!
I’ll certainly miss Al’s friendly face and smile, but wish him well in his retirement. He’s certainly one of the happiest doormen on W72nd.
We lived a few doors down at Mayfair Towers with our two Shelties Bailey and Riley. They adored Al and literally dragged us down the street to see him, plopping down and sitting perfectly still outside the double glass doors waiting to catch a glimpse of him. They were rarely disappointed as Al most typically was outside standing next to a window sill well stacked with dog treats. One time my husband accidentally left his phone on the roof of his car and Al quickly called over to Martin at our building to return the phone. We all wish Al the best of a well deserved retirement. Barb and Rob Moore
Al’s smile made my day every time I walked in those doors. His warmth, humor and generosity set him apart from everyone around him. My family and I will truly and sincerely miss him. Please give him our love. The Barakats hope to run into him again one day soon <3
I don’t live in that building but I recognize your dad by his smile! He always had one as I passed by. Wishing you all well.
Thank you all for the nice comments! I’ve showed them to Al and he really appreciates it..
We live partime in the Olcott and would often see Al outside. We asked him his name last year and we always made a point of saying hi when we walked by. He never disappointed, always with a smile on his face! All the best in retirement Al!! Stay busy!!!