Alfred Gooden, 88, of Duquesne, PA, affectionately known as “AL”, was born April 11, 1938, in McKeesport, PA. He was the beloved son of the late Thomas and Maggie Williams Gooden. 

Al lost both of his parents early in life and moved in with his older sister, Rosetta "Sugh" Bennett, and her family.  Al always hung out with the Stanley boys. During that time, Al and Fran began dating and got married.  

Al loved music of all kinds. On any given day, the sounds of Chicago, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Queen, just to name a few, would be playing throughout the house. 

Al also loved to entertain. At one point, while living on Camp Avenue in Duquesne, Al turned the family's home storefront section into a bar where he entertained regularly. 

Al graduated from Duquesne High School in 1956, where he was a superb athlete, excelling in football and basketball!  He was one of the last 4 letter men from DHS lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track.  He had the distinction of playing against legendary Wilt Chamberlain. Herman Harrison (a 13-year vet of Canadian League Football) described Al as Mel Blount before there was Mel Blount. 

During his childhood, Al’s religious roots began at Payne Chapel AME Church in Duquesne.  In 1991, on a Thanksgiving Day morning service, Al became a member of Macedonia Baptist Missionary Church in Duquesne, PA. Al was very active in serving as Usher, Trustee, and Finance Committee, Church and Male Choirs, volunteering for Vacation Bible School, and the cookout. Al was very instrumental in dedicating his time serving Macedonia and his Community. Al was the President of the Duquesne Community Day Committee for over 30 years until his health began to fail. Al looked forward to every August for this great annual event that has continued for the last 35 years. He did not have a problem recruiting anyone to help volunteer. He loved bringing everyone together. He was known as “the man to see for your T-shirt”. 

Al worked most of his adult life at US Steel, Homestead.  After leaving the USS, he became the first hired Doorman at the Doubletree Hotel (now the Westin Hotel) in Pittsburgh, PA.  His last place of employment was as a night monitor at Auberle Behavioral Health in McKeesport, PA 

Al departed this life on May 9, 2026, at UPMC East in Monroeville, PA.  

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mae Frances Stanley Gooden, parents, father, Thomas Gooden, mother, Maggie Williams Gooden, and siblings:  Rosetta Bennett, John Gooden, and Melvin Gooden.  

Al is survived by his beloved children, son, Jason Gooden (Michelle Joe), of Maryland, daughters: Germaine Gooden-Patterson, of Clairton, PA, and Romona (Kevin) Johnson, of Monroeville, PA 

Six grandchildren, Simone (Darrale) Dunn, Briana Gooden, Taylor Hines, Zkkrah Patterson, Ashia Patterson, and Zonia Patterson; Four great-grandchildren, Parris Dunn, Rhylee Dunn, Carter Gambrill, and Amani Andrews.  Sisters-in-law, Barbara Smith, Gladys Crawford, and Jean Murtaza, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.