How many people do you know who have a personal mission statement? I know of only one – Glenmere resident Al Mercatante. Al’s mission, developed over a span of 10 years, is “to coach as many people as I can to live extraordinary lives full of inspiration and meaning.” This mission has its roots in Al’s training and life-long career as a pastoral counselor and psychotherapist.

But let’s back up. Al was born and grew up in New York City. Looking for a life path, he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University. He then studied for the priesthood at St. Paul’s College in Washington, D.C., earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. While on a pastoral assignment at the Baltimore City Hospital, Al met Bea Adorno, a nurse midwife. They were married in 1972.

A better path emerged as Al trained for a career in pastoral counseling at the Institute of Pastoral Psychotherapy in Washington, D.C., and at the University of Maryland graduate department of human development. In 1976 , Al and Bea, along with their two daughters, moved to Delaware where Al headed the newly formed Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Center of Newark, Delaware. Their son, Joe, was born in 1978.

Al’s private practice of pastoral counseling and psychotherapy expanded to include marital and family therapy in 1986 and career and life coaching in 1996. He served on the newly-formed Delaware Board of Licensed Professional Counselors of Mental Health, including two years as the board president. After a long and fulfilling career, Al retired from active practice in 2010.

Last year, Al tried out a new role as travel agent (informally), as he planned a “trip of a lifetime” for his family in Italy. The group, seven adults and seven children, spent time in the village of Avellino (Bea’s ancestral home) and in Nola (Al’s ancestral home). In addition to enjoying the area’s big attractions (Pompeii, Positano, the Amalfi Coast), the travelers lounged for several days at a beautiful villa in the hills outside of Sorrento, where the kids played in the pool, the adults basked in the sun, and all enjoyed a wonderful catered birthday celebration for their twin granddaughters.

Their two daughters’ families live nearby with five grandchildren, and their son’s family lives near Philadelphia with two grandchildren. In 2023, Al agreed to serve as president of TVAR’s Independent Living Association. He has spent the last two years listening carefully to residents, improving communications and advocating for independent living residents. He brings a youthful energy to the podium. We are SO fortunate to have had him as our representative, we thank him for his tireless service, and we wish him joy in his future endeavors.

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