Alfred P. Croat was born Alfredo Pasquale Croce in Mechanicville, NY. He was one of eleven children born to Raffaele Croce, (aka Ralph Croat,) and Maria Angela Buonpane. Alfred's siblings were; Mary Josephine, (aka Maria,) Percy, (aka Pasquale,) Joseph, Carl, (aka Carlo,) Anna, Delphia Victoria, Viola, Elpidio, Elaine, and Amelia.
In the early years the Croce family adapted their surname to Croat. Then in 1920 Ralph Croat moved the family back to Plainfield, NJ where he had previously lived. This is where Alfred was to grow up. Alfred was baptized Alfred Croat at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Plainfield on January 18, 1920. He was baptized by the Reverend W.A. Hennesey, and his godparents were James Apisa and Lillian Vuold.
At age ten he started cooking with his family, which remained his passion throughout his life. He served in the Army overseas during WWII, working as head chef. While in the service, he also pursued boxing, becoming the undefeated light weight champion.
After being discharged from the Army, he met Elizabeth Safina, the girl of his dreams. When the Safina family relocated to Pasadena, CA in 1944, Alfred soon followed. The couple married at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church in Pasadena, on July 23, 1944. They were to have one daughter, Brenda. Alfred moved his family to Saratoga, CA in 1952.
Throughout his life, Alfred owned several businesses, including a Fish & Poultry business with his brother in law, three service stations, two auto parts stores and a mushroom ranch. He was also very active in the community, serving as President of the Saratoga Rotary, President of the Saratoga Civitan Club and a member of the Italian-American Club.
After Alfred retired at age 65, he wrote four Italian cookbooks. He also started a cooking show on The Community Channel of Saratoga. The show debuted as,"Alfredo's Produce Corner Show," which was eventually changed to "Italian Cooking with Alfredo," and finally took the name "Cooking of the 90's." When he was no longer able to do the weekly program, it became the "Who's Cookin'?" show, because he had so many friends who had become regulars, they had to rotate as hosts. Alfred's show ran for sixteen years being The Community Channel's longest running show, and one of the most popular.
One of the activities Alfred enjoyed the most was cooking for his friends and family.