Accounting firm BlumShapiro said Alfred Rosenthal, CPA, a founding partner of the firm, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family and caregivers on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, at a vibrant 92 years of age.

Alfred, or “Al” as he was fondly known to many clients and friends, was a highly regarded and prominent CPA in the area.  He began his accounting career in Hartford, Conn., in the 1950s after graduating from Bentley College in 1940 with a degree in accounting. 

Shortly after he went into practice, he and his long-time friend, Julius (Yuddy) Shapiro, merged and formed Shapiro Rosenthal. In 1980, BlumShapiro was formed when Shapiro Rosenthal merged with Blum, Gavens & Kaplan with a total of 30 employees in one office in West Hartford.

Today, the firm is the largest New England-based accounting, tax and business consulting firm with offices in West Hartford and Shelton, Connecticut, as well as offices in Boston and Rockland, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island with 340 employees, and is ranked among the top 50 firms in the United States. 

“When we remember Al, we will not forget the strong culture he helped to create here at BlumShapiro,” said BlumShapiro managing partner Carl R. Johnson in a statement. “His character, integrity, honesty and tenacity served as the foundation of our firm’s many achievements. He left his mark on his colleagues and was a proud member of the BlumShapiro family. Throughout his life, he served as an inspiration to all who knew him with his warm personality, infectious smile and his unwavering sense of humor.”

Rosenthal was the beloved husband of the late Hilda (Veroff) Rosenthal for 55 years and is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law:  David and Judy of Hartford, Edward and Winsome of Fairfield and Richard and Vicki of West Hartford, as well as six grandchildren. He was a Hartford native and lived there the majority of his family and business lives. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and he held many key positions as an active lifelong board member and volunteer for the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, Beth El Temple, and he was a member of the West Hartford Regents.