Adventurer, Mountaineer and Canoeist Reached the Highest Point of 49 of the 50 States
Alfred Charles (Al C.) Welenofsky was born in Bloomfield New Jersey in 1937. His family moved to Columbia Avenue in Nutley in 1940, where Welenofsky still lives today. He was graduated from Nutley High School in 1955.
Welenofsky became an adventurer at an early age, joining Nutley Scout Troop 147 in 1949 and earned Eagle Scout as well as the Explorer Scout Silver Award. Welenofsky is the only Nutley scout to receive both awards. After graduating from Nutley High School he entered the US Navy and served as a radioman, advancing to Second Class petty officer. Upon his discharge from active duty in 1958, 21 year old Welenofsky began planning his first great adventure, a cross continental canoe trip with his partner Ted Nothaft. The adventure began in April 1959 and took one year and four days, paddling and portaging 4,300 miles. Upon their arrival in Nutley, Welofsky and Nothaft were given a hero�s welcome and received Keys to the Town of Nutley from the Mayor Harry W. Chenoweth.
Since that time, Welenofsky has canoed 11,027 miles and as an avid mountain climber, has reached the highest point in 49 of the 50 states, 11 countries and two continents.
Welenofsky has been a special education teacher for 42 years and served as scoutmaster for 35 years. Scoutmaster Al is very proud of the 72 Scouts who earned Eagle Scout under his leadership. Welenofsky is a past recipient of the Nutley Jaycees Young Man Award and the Virginius D. Mattia Distinguished Community Service Award for his commitment and service to Scouting.