Today October 11th is the 11th year that you my dear sweet brother went home. On Oct 29th I will again think of you because on that day you were born. I often think of you when listening to music because music, dancing and having a few drinks is what you loved most. I will always miss you my sweet big brother. Until we meet again, May you continue to SIP...... Love you.. Your Sister.........        

I still miss you miss you big brother. Im so sorry you passed with out mommy, daddy or any of your siblings. You must have been so lonely. We didnt know where you were, or where you moved. I tried so many times looking up your name on google for many years, this is actually how I found this site when I typed in your name it came up under this website. When i type in this site I was hoping it was the wrong Alton D Saunders D for Douglas, but when your photo came up the way you looked being older but still looking the same my heart fell to my stomach. Finding out my brother died on a website tore me up inside, We were very close at one time until we loss touch. I was just sitting back today remembering when i was in junior high school when you first came home from Viet Nam how we all were listening to music and dancing to all different type music and doing the Hustle while you showed me all the turns and steps. You were so light on your feel and could dance so well. One thing as siblings we all have in common is that we all shake our legs when sittings. lol. I was so grateful to know that someone created this site for you so I can always come and visit and write down my thoughts for you my big brother. The only thing they got wrong was your birth date being the 29th not the 26th.That I will always remember because we celebrated it a few times and drank each other under the table. lol. . Anyway hopefully one day we will see each other again on the other side. Always and forever Loving and Missing you your sister, Arkeeta

LIONEL RUSSELL, Its Arkeeta! OMG! I REMEMBER YOU!

   Alton was my closest childhood friend. Inseparable! We went thru everything together. First, P.S. 137, then J.H.S. 73 and finally Boys High. I remember the "No Girls Allowed" club at 9 years old. Boy, did that change by 5th grade. The great meetings over Purnell Kirkland's house. I remember Big Daddy bringing all those pastries home from work. Trips to Atlanta with Ma Dear [ Ms. Grethel] and all those cats that Ms. Bernice loved. I remember when Ralph "Papoose" and Arkeeta were born. Ralph was a fantastic athlete and Arkeeta was such a Princess. All this happened on Chauncey Street. Chauncey Street was big fun! I missed you when your family moved across Broardway to Herkimer Street. When I got married in "65" you were a memorable part in that fantastic" Day". I went on to Florida A&M University on a 4 year Track scholarship and I heard that you had gone to Hunters College before your time in the service. I feel like we are two "Buds" catching up with some missing years. I will always cherish those great childhood memories. Rest in peace and know that you are loved by many.         Lionel

I didn’t know you but I wish that I did. I still would consider you my cousin also! May you continue to REST IN PARADISE!!!!!!

Hi , my name is Dita. I am Alton’s Youngest sister, my sister Arketa shared with you a little history of his immediate family. I was shocked to see this obituary of Alton and relieved to know that he was not alone.      

Unfortunately we were not a close family due to difficult family dynamics but to no fault of his siblings. However my fondest memory is he teaching me how to cook. But in due time we lost touch .

We wanted to find him but had a hard time locating him. To see his picture made my heart sink, but it made me smile to see his big smile. Thank you for sharing how much he is missed for all to see. It provides us with some closure. But through faith, My bible based hope is to see him again through the resurrection. I’m looking forward to that.

If you are able to share some info with me regarding his last few years or days of life ,please don't hesitate to email me.
Dita.outler@gmail.com

Thank you once again !

Wow,Right now I am in tears. Little did many people know that Alton Douglas Saunders had a younger brother named Ralph and two sisters. One of his sisters name is Dita and the other named Arketa. I am Arketa. I am one of Altons baby sisters.Our family wasnt very close at all, Ive never really known why but at one time Alton and I had become very close.He lived at one time in Brooklyn on Halsey Street.He attended Boys High School went on to graduate from Hunter College then was drafted into the army when I was in the 9th Grade. After him leaving the Army-Viet Nam was the first time we all lived as a family for a short period.As time went on Alton moved to Manhattan and took a job on West 4th and Jones as a chef. I remember the restaurant name was The West 4th Saloon across the street from the Pink Pussy Cat.One of my neighbors told me he saw Alton in the village thats when I started going to the village to eat hoping to run into him because I knew he was a cook .After hanging out one Friday night my then husband and I walked across the street to the West 4th Saloon to have dinner and drinks and while I was waiting for my drink I looked up and I couldnt believe who I saw behind the bar. My brother Alton!!!!!!.I was so excited I walked over to the bar and just stood quietly until he noticed me which he did and he was just as excited. He came out from behind the bar picked me up twirled me around and asked what are doing here? Of course me being sarcastic I said eating!! We both laughed he walked me back to my table,I introduced him to my husband he immediately took a break,sat with us then we waited until he got off work and we all hung out all night the city.After that, we were in touch all the time.Many times we spent going to Madison Square Garden to see the Nicks Basketball game with my hubby with our dad. As time went by we lost track of each other,because I came to the restaurant one day and I was told that he no longer worked there. A girl told me he quit. I tried to find him for many many years after that with very little resources. I was only told by another co worker that he was working somewhere in Tribecca. I knew why he quit,i wont go into detail. A few years ago I thought of him again as I often did and something told me to go on the internet and google his name. Ive always remembered his birthday and the year that he was born and then all of his information popped up and thats when my heart dropped. I read that my oldest brother had past away and was cremated in 2011 with no other information except it was in NY NY. I immediately contacted my our baby sister to let her know. Our mother is 95 years old and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's back in 2005.When telling her son my brother had passed she couldnt even remember who he was. That was just as heart breaking. Today again I went on the internet remembering it was close to his passing date and soon to be his birthday I went back on the internet just to see if there was any additional information on my brothers death to only find this site that was made in memory of him. I would like to thank the person that thought enough of him to do this for him.As soon as I saw this profile picture of him I immediately burst into tears because we all look so much a like and the Last time I saw him he had hair. I smiled a bit after seeing this picture because he use to walk with his brush and constantly brush his hair all the time until I said to him once you are going to brush your hair until you go bald. Well as it seems I right. The most i remember about my brother was that he loved music,he loved to dance and he was a smooth dancer,loved Vodka and Orange juice and would shake his legs back and forth while sitting down which is something we all do.I guess its a nervous tick. Ive accepted his passing due to our dad and other brother also passing but not knowing how he passed or where, really bothers me because regardless he was my brother,thinking all this time that he passed away without any family still haunts me.Knowing that he might have been ill or suffering without any family member by his side makes me sad to this day. But it brings joy now knowing that he had friends around him that loved and cared about him and for that Im forever grateful. If there is anyone of his friends that visits and read this was close to him before his passing I would so appreciate if someone could reach out to me.My name is Arketa my email address is nycarketa@hotmail.com. Thank You,Thank you.

Miss you my luv! Happy Anniversary!

It's been a year since Al passed away but the memories of all the good times we had together will never fade.
Al, you're missed and loved. Hope your energy is experiencing something wonderful.
Love love love

Happy Birthday Al! Love & miss you!

From Hadley:
I remember AL saying that he didn't like me at first bartending.Then he saw me Throw out someone who was causing trouble,and I got the AXE handle out.started swinging it around my head CUSSING this guy out a new A HOLE.AL then said "I LIKE THIS GIRL".who knew thats what it would take.RIP AL.I will always remember you my sweet man!

From Mick Baldwin:

Had a few nights out in jonnies when i first got here. This fella was a part of the fixtures & fittings of the place, which lead to a great friendship. R.I.P mate, the world has lost a great fella.

From Whitney Kemp Bannon:

Man it sucks so bad that Al is gone! I've had so many fab nights in Johnny's drinking with Al he was always great for a laugh and a chat!! Greenwich ave is really gonna miss ya!!

From Casey Gomes:

RIP Al, You kept the tone civil and kept me on my best behavior when I used to go to Johnny's. You were always a welcome site whenever you'd walk through the door. I'll be missing you.

From Joyce:
What a man.What a friend.He experienced things in life that most of us couldn't imagine.teaching life lessons without seeming to be teaching.He would tell stories about people or Vietnam or the headlines in the paper.If you paid attention,it applied to whatever you were going through.He chose to keep his wisdom under the radar and will be remembered fondly!Peace Always My Friend.

From Pfunk:
There are people who come into your life with little fanfare yet you are forever changed by having known them. Al was one of those people. From his unique speech- the mumble-aya- to his taste in music, Al was Al; unflinching, intelligent, hilarious, thoughtful and loving. Energy never dissipates, so I know mah brotha is giving someone shit about something- just in a different dimension

From Jo Baldwin:

What a guy, Al you were a true legend. You will forever be in my thoughts. Heaven has gained an angel. R.I.P. my friend xxx

From Tracy Gulbenkian:

I learned so much from him. He will always have a special place in my heart.

From Bernice Helenne:

I remember Al would invariably be eating something delicious, and he would always share his food, making you up a little plate. He was a part of Johnny's since I can remember, and was a very caring man, and quite loyal to his friends. Rest in peace, Al, it was a pleasure to know you.

From Louise Goulding:

Al...what a man!! Bless him. x x x

From Nathaniel Roberts:

Legend. End of. The guy WAS jonny's. Such a great guy. Got to meet so many people through him. Superb times. I hated the tickets off him though, never won!!

From Bret Isaacs:

He was a good, caring, sharing man who left his legacy and his spirit with those he touched.

You’ll be missed, Alton

From Joe Grugel:

Al always took care of Natasha. That gave me peace of mind. How can you thank the man that made sure the woman you love came home safe? Inept and inadequate, my thanks, love and may peace be yours my friend.

From Vonya:

Al.
You are such a special and important part of my life...
I probably have thousands of memories of you... all bright and colorful in the file cabinets of my mind.
Yet, when I go to the source... to the root feeling. What I most want to say is simple...
I love you...
...and I thank you.
We will see each other again.

Love you Alton! R.I.P. Thanks for being more of a father to me than my own. Thanks for all the laughs, talks, etc... I miss you luv!