Al Maddalena

September 3, 1935 – September 26, 2025

 

It is with deep gratitude and fond remembrance that we honor the life and legacy of Al Maddalena, who passed away on September 26, 2025, at the age of 90. Al was a cornerstone of the Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity family for 20 years, dedicating countless hours, skills, and heart to helping others build brighter futures. He worked tirelessly on dozens of Habitat projects, each one a reflection of his craftsmanship, humility, and enduring belief in service to others.

A retired construction trade teacher at Armijo High School in Fairfield, Al brought a lifelong passion for teaching and mentoring into his volunteer work. Even after his retirement, he continued to inspire students by introducing them to Habitat projects, giving them hands-on opportunities to learn and contribute to their community. Whether he was leading builds, crafting custom pieces in his workshop, or dropping off handmade sawhorses, birdhouses, and toolboxes for our ReStore, Al never stopped finding ways to give. His generosity and quiet leadership left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of working beside him.

Beyond his skill and dedication, Al will be remembered most for his warmth, kindness, and cheerful spirit. He embodied the very heart of Habitat’s mission and we are profoundly grateful for his years of service, friendship, and example. His legacy will continue to live on through every volunteer he mentored, every family he helped, and every home that stands stronger because of his hands.

 

“Al was a great man who has been a part of the fabric of Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity for the past 20 years, and his fingerprints are all over more than 50 of our projects. I will miss him, the conversations we would have, and more than anything else, his smile and the cheer with which he approached everything. May he rest in peace.”
– Andrew Killeen

 

“15 years ago, Habitat hired me as a Site Lead, the same job that Al had held for years. Many people would’ve been resentful; the new kids on the block taking over. Not Al. He took me under his wing and taught me how Habitat works. Then he gracefully and slowly stepped back as he helped me fix my mistakes. He gave me the confidence to run things without him.”
– Jamie Calderwood

 

“It’s easy to say that Al Madalena embodied all that Habitat for Humanity stood for and represented. But I think it is better to say that Habitat for Humanity reflected all that Al Madalena was – kind, compassionate, humble, and helpful. Al did things because they were the right things to do. Our world was so much better with Al in it. He will be missed. ”

– Gerry Raycraft