Albert Joseph HardinAGE: 56 • North PlainfieldNorth Plainfield - The first born son of Albert Joseph Drayton and Fannie Dolores Hardin, Albert Joseph Hardin (known as Al) was born on September 11, 1960, in New York City. While on a medical visit, he passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at Hackensack University Medical Center. He grew up in Jamaica, Queens with Irene Drayton and went on to live in the Bronx, NY then Lodi, NJ before finally settling in North Plainfield, NJ.Al graduated August Martin High School in Queens, NY in 1979 and continued his education at Queens College. Al loved children, and he pursued a career where he could mentor and be a source of love, encouragement, and inspiration to young people. He was a devoted Assistant Teen Coordinator for over 5 years at Camp Vacamas. He was also a dedicated employee (32 years) at the Holley Child Care and Development Center in Hackensack where he worked as a Senior Residential Assistant. He continued to demonstrate his commitment to helping people and worked at Bergen Regional Center for close to 30 years as a Mental Health Attendant. As a young man, he expressed an interest in aviation. But, his true enjoyment came from cooking and bringing family and friends together. In the family, he was affectionately known as "Betty Crocker" because of his love for baking. He also appreciated the beauty of nature and hiking in the woods. Al was known for his warm and gentle demeanor. He was non-judgmental and would listen to others with an open mind and heart, and what a big heart he had! He will be truly missed by his loving family, friends, and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Joseph Drayton and brother Gregory Hardin. Al is survived by his mother, Fannie Dolores Hardin his brothers-Darryl Lamont, Terrance Jervette and Wayne Garrett Hardin and sister-Monique Hattie Hardin-Cordero. He is also survived by his nephew, Jamieck, and nieces-Deidre, Darreail, and Shyann Hardin; along with half-siblings and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.A visitation was held at Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Avenue, Fanwood, NJ on Tuesday, 8/8 followed by a funeral service on Wednesday, 8/9. Final disposition took place at Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge, NJ.