Alfred was born in Sayville, Long Island, New York, the youngest of seven siblings. Al grew up with a love of animals and watching the skies for airplanes. He owned his first airplane before his first automobile and got his pilot’s license and license to teach.

After high school Al served in both the Army and Air Force. He later settled in New Jersey and raised German Shepherds and showed them, winning many blue ribbons. He also took up horseback riding and competing in jumping, again winning many blue ribbons.

Al’s and his first wife Louise built a farm in New Jersey. Al started skeet shooting, collecting rifles, and many other endeavors. The Reyleks became antique dealers. Al began flying with the Flying Tigers and joined United Airlines. He also rode with the Essex Fox Hounds with Jackie Kennedy.

Their collection of primitives became extensive, and when they could not find the perfect old house, they built a reproduction in Lyme. It had a horse barn and massive gardens. Al kept small planes at Goodspeed.

His first wife died young of lung cancer. About that time, he became acquainted with Priscilla Jackson Amenta, who had a local antique shop at Cold Spring Farm. Priscilla and Louise became friends, as Louise had a shop at Tom Roses. Rattebury Farm at Hadlyme Four Corners.

Tom was a dear friend and great folk-art painter. The Reyleks and the Amentas both had many pieces featuring animals. Priscilla never met Al until Louise’s death, as he was always off on a trip, based out of Newark, NJ.

Al had no children by choice and Priscilla had two grown sons. Al bonded well with Priscilla’s sons, George helped build many stone walls on Al’s properties and Tony joining Al with collecting guns and skeet shooting.

Al retired at age 60, mandatory by United. Priscilla went on his commercial last night a red eye from San Fran. He wanted no fan fare but upon landing was greeted by many of the top officials from United.

Al and Priscilla started world travels with a trip to London on the Concord returning to New York on the Queen Elizabeth II first class. It was a rough voyage as the captain didn’t have the stabilizers out.

It was time to move into an older house in Cape Cod Quivet Neck East Dennis, MA. It was built in 1783 and was in need of major reconstruction. The Reyleks also added a three bay Cape Cod barn to house Al’s growing collection of hand-crafted toy airplanes. Al became very involved in Old Kings Highway, trying to save Cape Cod from developers. He was also the President of Homeowners Association. The Reyleks were avid entertainers and enjoyed gourmet food and fine wines.

The Cape became crowded and Vermont had a calling. They bought 26 acres of land in Waitsfield along with the Captain Hallet house, 1862 from Hyannis and had it shipped to Vermont. It took over a year to rebuild. The Reyleks still had their Cape Cod Airedales and Al was collecting more planes, China and much more.

Both Priscilla’s sons and their significant others lived close by. After several years Al felt he could no longer do the yard work and would not hire anyone, they bought a townhouse in Middlebury. It had beautiful gardens and was backed up to many walking trails. Al served on the Board of Directors and was grounds chairman for many years. The Airedales were gone but along came Sarah a Wesla.

The Reyleks continued to travel, East Africa, the Amazon, climbing Machu Pichu, Egypt, Jorden, South Africa, Cambodia, and Vietnam to name a few adventures. They also went on many Viking cruises and on the Oceania, dining with Jacque Pepic, whom they knew from CT. Air Museum, a special gathering. Barcelona to Turkey via the Panama Canal. One last was a trip to Cuba!

Al's health started with issues. The Reyleks moved to a cottage at "The Residence at Otter Creek," Middlebury. It was a rental with meals included. Priscilla thought this was adequate forever. It had a yard with a fence, and it had been upgraded to make it look old. They put in gardens and new brick paths. The bird houses went up and bluebirds moved in. It overlooked a marsh, with easy walking to the main building. Al was not happy, although he walked daily with a walker and enjoyed happy hour at the main building.

Time to go back to Connecticut. Priscilla and son George settled on Bartlett Hill. Several longtime friends were residents. Priscilla had lived in Portland for a few years when her sons were young. The move took place along with two rescue cats and now began trying to make the house look early. Al had basically sold his airplane collection at auction and much more.

Al is remembered pushing his walker up and down hills, still looking forward to going out to lunch and long drives. Finally, after breaking his hip, Al settled in at Portland Rehab, easy for Priscilla to visit as close by.

On June 1, 2026, Priscilla heard a small aircraft hovering over the house. Went out to see a small aircraft, bright blue and white, circling above the house. It dipped its wings and flew due north.

Al is survived by his beloved niece Nancy and her husband Tom Sokolski, his wife, Priscilla Jackson Reylek, of thirty-five years, his stepson George Amenta of Portland, his daughter-in-law Margaret McGrath of Waitsfield, Vermont, and the Jackson family. He is also survived by many good friends. He is predeceased by his entire family, his much-loved stepson, Anthony T. Amenta and granddaughter, Ellie Ann Amenta.

The family would like to extend special acknowledgment to the staff of Portland Care and Rehabilitation Center for Al's excellent care, encouragement, and kindness.

A Pink Dogwood will be planted at Portland Care in Al's memory.

Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the New England Air Museum, 36 Perimeter Rd. Windsor Locks, CT, https://neam.org/pages/donation-page  To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.