Alfred J. Rioux, of Lake Worth, FL, and Rocky Hill, and formerly of Newington, passed away on Saturday November 9, 2019. He was 85, but very much young at heart. "Al" was born in Hartford on March 20, 1934 to the late Alfred and Bernice (Carrier) Rioux. He served his country during the Korean War aboard the USS Skylark, an escort and submarine rescue ship, as a Seaman 2nd Class and deep-sea diver. After his discharge from the Navy, Al returned to Hartford and began an apprenticeship as a tool & die engineer for the Arrow-Hart Hegeman Company. Al eventually moved his family to Newington where he began a successful career in real estate and insurance. He was also a member of the Connecticut Home Builders Association and developed single-family homes in Newington. Al made Newington his home for most of his adult life where he continued his familys deep involvement in Connecticut politics. He was an instrumental figure in numerous elections including Bill Cotters successful run for Congress in the early 1970s. He also served as aide to Congressman Cotter for several years. He served as Town Chairman of the Democratic party in Newington for over 15 years and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in support of President Jimmy Carter in 1980. He was a close confidant to former Governors Ella Grasso and Bill ONeill, and a good friend to former Senators Chris Dodd and Joseph Lieberman. Al also served two terms as the Sheriff of Hartford County. In 1975, Al was given the gift of life by his sister Dorothy Williams when she donated a kidney to her brother. The operation was one of the first kidney transplants performed at Hartford Hospital through the transplant program established by Dr. Robert Schweitzer and Dr. Stanley Bartus. Following his transplant, and with the support of family and friends, Al organized the Connecticut Kidney Research Fund Golf Tournament. Through the many years it was held, the tournament raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of kidney transplant research at Hartford Hospital. Al possessed a zest for life. He made friends everywhere he went and touched peoples lives in immeasurable ways. He loved to spend time with family and friends, cook his signature paella, play golf, watch UConn sports, cheer on the Red Sox, and enjoy a cold beverage with family and friends at the Knights of Columbus or St Jean Baptiste Society. He was particularly enamored with Heineken and once visited the brewery on one of his many trips abroad. For the past 31 years, he was married to Elma (Chiabbra) Sarra Rioux. Together they traveled extensively throughout the United States, France, Germany, Spain, and Scotland. However, they most enjoyed visiting family and friends in Liguria Italy. For the past several years they spent time between Rocky Hill and Lake Worth, FL. Al was a member of many organizations including lifetime membership in the Knights of Columbus and St Jean Baptiste Society. He also belonged to the American Legion Post # 113, the Hartford Elks Lodge #19, VFW Post # 9836, Franco-American War Veterans, and the Moose Club # 994 of Lake Worth, FL. Al is survived by his two daughters, Charlene Davis and her husband Bill of East Granby, Denise McDougall and her husband Doug of Chandler, AZ, and a son Robert Rioux and his wife Jackie of Newington. He was predeceased by his daughter Renee Rioux. He also leaves grandchildren Christine Kruse of UT, Michael Smith and his wife Vanessa of CT, Stephanie Wabalas of FL, Rachel Sanborn and her husband Jason of AZ, and Allison McDougall of AZ; sisters Lorraine Camilli and her husband Pat, Dorothy Williams and her husband Donald all of FL. Al also had seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by stepsons Richard Sarra of Wethersfield, and Ronald Sarra and his wife Jill of South Windsor. Al was blessed to have the company and friendship of many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their friends, many of whom adopted him as one of their own. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Hartford Hospital Center 10 for the amazing care they provided to Al earlier this year. The family would also like to recognize the dedicated healthcare professionals at Bell-Air Manor in Newington who guided him through his final weeks with grace and compassion. Please join us in a celebration of his remarkable life during a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial, 2:00 PM, directly at Annunciation Parish, Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church Street, Newington, on Thursday, November 14, 2019 followed by a gathering of family and friends at St. Jean Baptiste Societe, 209 Smalley Street, New Britain. In lieu of flowers, donations in Als memory may be made to the Hartford Hospital Transplant Program, Hartford Hospital, 85 Seymour Street, Suite 320, Hartford, CT 06106. The Carmon Funeral Home of Avon is caring for the arrangements.