Alvin N. Bratteng

Alvin Noralf Bratteng, age 90, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on the Lord’s Day, Sunday, May 31, 2020 after having lived a long and wonderful life. Alvin was born on August 26th,1929 in Storsteinnes, Norway, a beautiful and majestic coastal town surrounded by snow capped mountains and fjords. Just north of the Arctic Circle and off the coast of the Norwegian Sea, his homeland is known as “The Land of the Midnight Sun” where winters are spent in near total darkness and summers are graced with a sun that never sets. He often spoke fondly of his very humble beginnings as one of eight children having grown up on his family’s mountainside farm known simply as “Bratteng” in the 1930’s and early 40’s. Having survived the Nazi occupation of his hometown during WWII, it was a life fraught with the many challenges of the times as well as the difficulties of living off the land in a harsh and unforgiving climate. Despite this, he recalled the happiest of childhoods, surrounded by a large and loving family and all the beauty of the nordic landscape that was his home. True to his Viking heritage, Alvin left home at 15 to chart a course for himself as well as help support his family by working on fishing vessels in the Norwegian and Barents Sea’s. These early and difficult challenges hardened him and prepared him for his life as a seaman, of which he would spend the next 45 years. As a young man, he became a member of the Norwegian Royal Marines and embarked on journeys that would take him all over the world from Europe to Africa to Asia and beyond. Having seen so much of the world, and the challenges all people endured, Alvin had a great appreciation for liberty and freedom. This appreciation guided him in his quest to achieve The American Dream- Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Alvin first came to America in 1948, arriving in New York City as a 19 year old young man, full of hope and excitement for the future. Continuing on with his life as a seaman, he would eventually spend many years as a chef, sailing on a trading ship between the United States and South America, specifically Brazil and Cuba. It was during those years that he met his beautiful Danish wife of 59 years, Elly, on a transatlantic cruise liner called the SS Stavangerfjord, a steamship headed from Oslo, Norway to America. Alvin and Elly’s courtship would continue from sea to port, and they would eventually marry and go on to raise five loving children. Together through hard work, grit, and determination they would carve a life for themselves in the toughest and most vibrant city in the world- New York. Alvin and Elly became first time parents in 1961 and were intent on providing a good life for their children. Alvin’s love of cooking and preparing food would inspire him to open his own restaurant, known as The Atlantic, in the early 60’s in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. In those days, Bay Ridge was known for its huge contingent of Norwegian immigrants, and it was here that Alvin formed lifelong friendships and sowed his roots in America. A longtime member of the Norwegian Seamen’s Church originally in Red Hook, Brooklyn, it was there he found the comforts of home as well as the comraderie of a warm and welcoming community of hard working immigrants that shared his same hopes and dreams of a new and exciting life in America. In 1964, with great pride, Alvin achieved his dream of becoming an American citizen. Three years later in 1967, Alvin and his wife Elly moved from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn across the newly built Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and bought a beautiful home in Eltingville, Staten Island. Here they would raise their five children and provide them with an idyllic childhood neighborhood of tree lined streets and the close knit community of the local church- Eltingville Lutheran. Over the years, they would lead by example and instill in their children the virtues of respect, morality, discipline, and a will to achieve. Meanwhile, Alvin would continue his difficult life as a seaman in order to support his growing family. Working for McAllister Tugboats, he spent many years as the cook on his crew as their tugboats towed barges and downed vessels along the Hudson River and the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, having endured many treacherous outings. Often spending weeks at sea, he was a much loved and respected crew member who always raised morale by providing his crew with the best meals, especially at Christmas time. Throughout his life, Alvin took great pride in his home, his family, and his hard work ethic. His strong and rough hands represented both his long life at sea and the love of a father who did all he could to provide for his family. Not one to retire, in 1991, Alvin began work in security for Dow Jones Telerate in Newark, NJ. Over the next 10 years, Alvin took great pride in his position and was greatly respected by his colleagues for his dedication to his job. Alvin was never one to cut corners and prided himself in doing every job by the book. He was a man of great integrity and was both respectful of, and thankful for, each and every job he was entrusted with. Alvin was a true patriot of both his adopted homeland- The United States- as well as the homeland of his birth- Norway. He had a great love for America and the opportunities this country gave him to live in freedom and prosper. He had a tremendous appreciation for the United States Military, first responders of NYC, the U.S. Coastguard, and the seamen in and around Manhattan’s waterways, having formed many friendships over the years. He had a love of American automobiles of the 1950’s and 60’s having collected and restored many antique cars. He was a beloved member of the 66th Street- First Evangelical Free Church of Brooklyn where he spent many enjoyable afternoons amongst good friends reminiscing of day’s past. Alvin had a passion for all things Norwegian and took great pride in celebrating his homeland on their Constitution Day- The 17th of May. His favorite place to travel was back to the small and humble home of which he was born in the mountains of Norway. He ensured that his children in the United States would always be one with their family in Norway by encouraging them to stay in touch and travel across the Atlantic to see their much loved uncles, aunts, and cousins. Family was everything to Alvin, and his legacy will show that he was the glue that kept us all together. One of his proudest days was on his 90th Birthday Celebration where loved ones from near and far across the world, gathered together in his honor, to show their love and appreciation for him and his legacy. Alvin had a profound love for his children and grandchildren. He encouraged all of them to pursue their dreams, and his ultimate wish was that they would always remain happy, healthy, and safe. He inspired all of them with his unrelenting work ethic, having come from so little and achieved so much, his life was a lesson in the courage and will of the human spirit. Alvin made it a point to commemorate every loved one’s birthday and each Christmas, his most loved holiday, with a hand signed card he personally put into the mail, even in his 90th year. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren Norwegian words and songs and most enjoyed being called “Bestefar”, which means Grandfather in Norwegian. Alvin was an extremely generous and passionate man who opened his heart and his home to all who came in the name of family and friendship. He was at his happiest during special occasions when he could prepare a feast at home for his family and friends. His home was their home, and he made sure that all who came into it were welcomed with open arms and a seat at the dining room table. Alvin was the patriarch of a large and loving family who will remember him for his perseverance, his integrity, and his dedication and love for his family that was unconditional and never ending. We will never forget all he taught us, how hard he worked, and his wish of ensuring that the American Dream he held so dear would continue to flourish with his children and his grandchildren. Alvin is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Elly, five beloved children- Helga, Kenneth, Glenn, Nancy and Tone Marie, ten cherished grandaughters- Ingrid, Olivia, Julia, Amanda, Christina, Alyssa, Evangeline, Ellyanna, Mia, and Sophia, his much loved daughters in-law and sons in-law, Madeline, Chely, Stephan, John, and Dustin, his two admired and much loved brothers, Torbjorn and Gudmund, his dear half sister Mirjam, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family in his homeland of Norway. In Heaven, Alvin will be joyfully reunited with his mother Nancy, his father Alfred, his brothers Norvald, Harald, and Gunvald, and his sister Aslaug as well as many other cherished family members from days past. Though our hearts are broken, we take comfort knowing that Alvin lived a full life and knew how dearly he was loved by us all. In his final days he was surrounded by his wife, all of his children, and many of his grandchildren, and he was given thanks and love for all he had done for us in his great life. He shared that he had many happy memories of his childhood in Norway and his life on Staten Island, and with that we knew he would peacefully embark with a full and happy heart on his final journey to be with God. Throughout his life, our father, a true Viking at heart, was like a ship carrying us at sea, steering us gently on beautiful and calm days and always guiding us with his light through darkness and stormy waters. Now an angel, he will continue to shine his great light and love upon us from above, and inspire us with the many cherished memories we have of his extraordinary life. He was always there for us and loved us for eternity as we shall love him, and he will live on in our hearts forever. Until we meet again, tusen takk for alt kjaere Pappa! We love you with all our hearts. You were a wonderful and devoted father and husband, and we are so proud of you. We will never, ever forget you. *************************************************************** Alvin Bratteng was a very charitable man. He believed in supporting many causes which were close to his heart, one of which was St. Jude Children’s Hospital. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to this wonderful charity with the knowledge that Alvin would be extremely grateful and proud of your contribution in his honor. Alvin Bratteng Memorial Fund- St. Jude Children's Hospital https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=6651207&pg=personal&fr_id=39300 Per NYS Guidelines, visitation is limited to 10 people in addition to the immediate family. A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate Alvin’s life and legacy. He will be respectfully interred at Ocean View Cemetery, Staten Island. 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Alvin N. Bratteng

August 26, 1929 - May 31, 2020