Francis "Al" Alford

Francis "AL" Alford, Jr., age 81, passed away in the Norwood Hospital on Thursday, February 2, 2017. Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts on July 10, 1935, he was the son of the late Francis Alford Sr. and Leeila (Blount) Alford. He was raised in Boston and as a young high school student, found his love for music. He sang with a group called the Woody Woodpeckers and was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps at Boston High School. After his graduation in 1953, he continued his studies at the Boston Clerical School, earning his Associates Degree in 1955.

Francis worked various jobs, he was a messenger for Western Union, general helper and assistant for Carlton Manufacturing in Boston and Wales Manufacturing also located in Boston He worked as an armature repair person for Arrow Manufacturing Co in Brighton, a gas station attendant for Sibbitt Service station in Dorchester, and a general helper for Dickie Blouse Co. Francis was drafted into the United States Army in 1958. He was stationed in California as a Radio Relay and Carrier Operator and was honorably discharged in 1960, returning to his hometown of Boston. In 1961, he met Dorothy Gray, and after many invitations, she finally agreed to go out with him. A few years later, Francis and Dorothy were married on July 11, 1964 in the Peoples Baptist Church in Boston. Together they made their home in Dorchester and Francis continued his career in electronics, working for various companies, including Sylvania and Lab of Electronics, under government contracts.

Francis saw crime rates in the City rise and after his own home had fallen victim to three break-ins, he moved his young family to the suburbs, settling in Sharon, Massachusetts in 1969, to provide a better life for his children. They initially made their home at 111 East Foxboro Street and later, after Francis began working for the Foxboro Company, he later built a larger home on Mansfield Street In 1977, Francis took a position with IBM, spending 15 years working as a Customer Engineer, before retiring in 1992. As a man who enjoyed staying busy, in his retirement, Francis began working as a parts deliveryman for Pep Boys in Dedham.

His love for music continued throughout his life and alongside Dorothy, he loved attending concerts and theatrical performances in and around Boston. They also enjoyed traveling together, visiting Bermuda, the Bahamas, and taking yearly trips to Florida. Family was very important to Francis, and he and Dorothy made every family reunion, whether in North Carolina, Georgia, or Virginia, for a period of 10 years.

Francis always enjoyed socializing and making people smile, he had many friends at the Wingate of Sharon (formerly Epoch of Sharon) and Norwood Adult Day Health Center.

As a proud Army Veteran, Francis was a member of the American Legion and his knowledge of radios that he learned in the service continued, as he was a civilian HAM radio operator. He was also an avid photographer

Beloved husband of Dorothy (Gray) Alford.
Loving father of Michelle R. Alford of Sharon and Michael B. Alford and his wife Cynthia of Nashua, New Hampshire.
Cherished grandfather of Marcellus Alford.
Brother of the late Charles Alford and his surviving wife, Leona of Randolph also the late Hattie Brewster and her husband George. and Sara Francis Jeffreys her husband Frederick.
Devoted uncle of Bryan and Stephen Alford and Vernon, Leila, and Gregory Brewster, Gregory, Van and Scott Jeffreys

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Francis' Life Celebration on Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 10 AM to 1 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. Funeral service and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Norwood Adult Day Health Care Center, 595 Pleasant Street, Norwood MA, 02062.