Alfred Morris Cady, III

Alfred Morris Cady III died peacefully in his sleep on Friday morning, June 19th. Born on November 4th, 1943 in Pasco, Washington, Al was raised in Syracuse, New York, graduating from Nottingham High School. He attended Syracuse University, where he played on the lacrosse team. He was a lifelong booster of Syracuse sports and was elected to their alumni hall of fame. After college, Al enlisted in officer candidate school for the United States Navy. He graduated as an ensign, and proudly served two tours in Vietnam, the first aboard the USS Benewah in the Mekong Delta and the second aboard the USS Princeton in the Gulf of Tonkin. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant. Al was extremely proud of his service, attending reunions and taking an active roll in the Mobile River Force alumni. He served on the Naval Institute's Board of Directors from 2005-2012. After Vietnam, Al married the love of his life, Toni Martini. They spent the next 59 years together. Al worked a number of different jobs as he and Toni moved around the country. In 1978, Al and Toni moved to Edina, Minnesota, the place that became their home. An avid, yet pessimistic sports fan, Minneapolis proved to be the perfect place for Al. In 1983, Al started the Minneapolis branch of the advertising agency TMP Worldwide, which eventually became Monster Worldwide, the number one job placement agency in the world during Al's stewardship. In 1983, TMP had two employees: Al & Toni. When Al retired in 2001, Monster Worldwide Minneapolis had over 50 workers and was the most successful branch of the company. Outside of his family, Al's greatest passion was for adventure. He traveled to every continent and to over 150 countries in his lifetime. The more exotic the adventure, the more Al wanted in. Piranha fishing in the Amazon? He did that. Attend a voodoo ceremony in Haiti? He did that too. He survived a plane crash in Gabon, had his boat boarded by the Cuban Navy, and rafted down the crocodile infested Zambezi River. He loved fast cars, wracking up numerous speeding tickets in multiple states and countries. A generous man, Al served on numerous boards and was active in many charitable organizations including Camp Dudley where he spent his childhood summers, the Minnesota Zoo Foundation, and Children's Cancer Research Fund. After falling in love with their adoptive home state, Toni and Al became involved in the University of Minnesota, sponsoring an endowed chair for research into childhood cancer in honor of Al's sister, Elizabeth, who passed away from leukemia at age 9. Al was known to his loved ones for his incredible sense of humor, his boisterous presence, and, most notably, for his ability to tell great stories, some of which were even true. 'Don't ever let the truth get in the way of a good story' was his mantra. His booming voice and his love of a good time will be missed by everyone. Al is survived by Toni, children Alfred IV (Georgia) Jane Pirtle (Sean), Ben (Adam Puncochar), beloved granddaughters Catherine, Caroline and Elizabeth Pirtle, Brother Bob (Linda), Sister Jane Haley, In-Laws John & Debbie Walsh & Claire Martini, many nieces & nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Alfred Morris Cady Jr., mother Patricia Brown Cady, and sister Elizabeth Cady Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 26th at 11AM with visitation one hour prior, all at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 6820 St. Patricks Ln, Edina. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children's Cancer Research Fund or the Minnesota Zoo foundation.

Alfred Morris Cady, III

November 4, 1943 - June 19, 2026

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