Dr. Albert John Gosen

Dr. Albert John Gosen, 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Westfield, NJ on May 27, 2025 surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born in Weehawken, NJ on August 21, 1943 to Syrian immigrant parents George and Elizabeth Gosen, Al attended Weehawken Public Schools where he distinguished himself as an independent thinker who loved to play pranks on friends and even teachers at times! Al was proud of his upbringing in a small Syrian neighborhood, surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.  He often remarked that Weehawken High School had a Gosen in it for 42 years straight. Al attended Seton Hall University from 1961-1965, majoring in Science in Human Biology. He went on to graduate school to study dentistry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), now part of Rutgers University, where he graduated in 1969, earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Degree…and gaining lifelong friends who became family, “The Host Farms Crew”. He finished his 2-year graduate studies at the Boston University Goldman Graduate School of Dentistry in 1971 with a specialization in Prosthodontics. Al established his own business and practiced dentistry for over 45 years in Roselle Park, NJ, providing meticulous care and friendship to his patients.

Al met and fell in love with his lifelong partner in crime, Mary Jane “Janie” Sayour, in their beloved Tannersville, NY Catskill Mountains where both of their families spent their summers. They married in 1969 and resided in Boston where they welcomed their first child Kimberly; moved back to NJ as family beckoned, welcoming their second child Carolyn while residing briefly in Ridgefield, NJ; and ultimately settled down in Westfield, NJ in 1976, where they raised their daughters, doted on their eight grandchildren, and lived to the present day. 

As a proud first-generation American, Al was blessed to be raised by loving parents who nurtured his growth and curiosity, but above all, instilled in him the importance of family and hard work. His parents taught him: “never tell a lie”, “respect your elders”, and “if you can do something yourself, don’t ask others to do it for you”. Al was always working, from his early years as a newspaper boy to his teenage jobs at Manny’s Soda Shop and Garrison’s Auto Body Garage. Al managed several jobs at a time to put himself through all of his undergraduate and graduate studies. While at Seton Hall, he was a researcher in the Cardiology Department, earning his name on one of Professor Updyke’s published papers. As a graduate student, he tutored fellow students and worked at the Jersey City Medical Center Blood Bank on weekends. 

Al always had a knack for music. He taught himself how to play the piano, guitar, harmonica, accordion, fife & drums, and later the bagpipes! Though he never learned how to read sheet music, he played beautifully by ear. At age 15, he bought himself a slick, bright red Fender Stratocaster guitar, something he treasured for the next 60 years. Al loved playing gigs with his band throughout high school. Later, he would dazzle his children and grandchildren with sweeping renditions of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, the 1963 classic “Da Doo Run Run”, the scores of Les Miserables and Cats, and all things Beach Boys and Neil Diamond related, especially “Sweet Caroline”.  Even as he struggled with Parkinson’s disease in recent years, he still retained the ability to sit at the piano bench and play some of these songs from memory.

Al was also an avid sailor and certified scuba diver. He loved the water and sunrises over the Jersey Shore coastline. As such, he and Janie, his loving wife of 56 years, took Power Squadron boating courses to achieve Coast Guard Certifications through Advanced Piloting; Al ran the sails while Janie was at the helm. He loved summers in Bay Head at Dale’s Marina, taking family and friends out for sails up the Metedeconk River. Al loved creating adventures and memories like these for “the cousins”, including a 15-person Winnebago trip to Oswego when his nephew was born.  

Al also knew his way around the kitchen. Some favorites were his stir fry specialties (especially his famous baby back ribs and wings), chili, pea soup and chocolate souffle. He always said, “It is all in the presentation!” He was also a passionate gardener, both at his parents’ home in Tannersville and his own home in Westfield, tending to his beloved grapevine and successfully transferring pieces of the vine to the gardens of his children, nieces, and nephews for their homemade grape leaf dishes. Al’s passion for creation extended to the field of photography, inspiring him to build a darkroom to develop his own prints. He volunteered at Wilson School, teaching fife & drum and photography lessons, and at dental clinics, offering care to underserved communities. Like his father who was an engraver, Al had “good hands”.

Above all else, Al loved and treasured his family. He and his siblings shared an amazing bond: George, Carol and Al were the Three Musketeers, while Janice and Linda were the little sisters he doted on, his “best pals”. Known as “Uncle Al, the kiddie’s pal”, he was the funny uncle who “always made the fun happen”, playing pranks, jumping out of darkened corners to scare everybody, and staying up late over a beer, telling jokes or stirring the proverbial political pot. Al loved his wife Janie dearly and treasured having her by his side from day one; he was in awe of her tenacity, as well as her ability to make critical decisions and find a bargain! He always knew she would stop at nothing to get a job done, the same care she showed him these last seven years as Parkinson’s took its toll. He adored his daughters from the moment they were born, as his mother would say, “the apples of his eyes”. Al was incredibly proud of them, always in attendance for the significant moments in their lives, from softball games to dance recitals, from famous graduation celebrations to hospital waiting rooms anticipating the news of his latest grandchild’s birth. He loved his sons-in-law as if they were his own sons and was so very proud of them. He was “Gido” to the eight grandchildren whom he worshiped (and to his 5 grandpups), and who worshiped him right back. Al was especially present in their lives - a superfan of their involvement in WHS soccer, basketball, lacrosse and football. They will always remember Gido watering his flowers in his penny loafers; making French toast the morning after sleepovers; counting “spidies” on walks; helping with math homework (using a knife to sharpen a dull pencil); sneaking cookies to them with a “don’t tell Sitto Janie” smile (and whispering, “I’m not allowed to have any more of these Trader Joe’s Dunkers, but let’s have a couple…it’s a free country”); building “Sitto’s mountain” of pillows in the basement; watching their favorite movies, such as “Blended” and “Sophia Grace and Rosie’s Royal Adventure”; savoring his favorite Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews and York Peppermint Patties; and stopping for Ralph’s Ices after aikido practice no matter how late it was. He was patient; he was an amazing listener; he was a problem solver; he was humble. Al will be remembered for teaching his children and grandchildren to keep their heads down and work hard, keep their heads up to see the world around them, and let their accomplishments speak for themselves.

Al was predeceased by his father, George Gosen Sr., his mother, Elizabeth Gosen, his brother, George Gosen Jr. and his wife Patricia, and his sister, Carol Sayour and her husband Paul Sayour. He is survived by his wife, Janie (Sayour) Gosen; his children: Kimberly Gosen-Fowler and her husband Thomas Fowler; Carolyn Buoscio and her husband Anthony Buoscio; his eight beloved grandchildren: Anastasia, Emilia, Ronan and Mairin Fowler; and Julia, Mikaela, Anthony, and Sofia Buoscio; his siblings: sister, Janice Kasbar and husband John; and sister, Linda Piastro and husband Paul; brother-in-law John Sayour; and his exceptional caregivers of the last three years, Rusa and Maia, whose expertise, compassion, and kindness brought great comfort to both Al and Janie. He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Visitation will be Monday, June 2nd at Higgins & Bonner Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090 from 3:00-7:00 pm.  A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd at 11:30am at the Church of Saint Helen, 1600 Rahway Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090. Burial will take place on Wednesday, June 4th at 11:30 am at St. Francis de Sales Church Cemetery, 660 Platte Clove Road, Elka Park, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name and memory online to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or mailed to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.