RICHARD EUGENE ALFORD

AAFA #1168

1940 MD – 2015 VA

 

 

Photo from Joseph W. Bliley Funeral Home

 

 

Joseph W. Bliley Funeral Home

Richmond, VA—Tuesday, 29 September 2015

 

            Alford, Richard E., passed away, at home, on Wednesday, September 23, 2015, after a 252-day firefight with cancer.

            Richard did not go willingly, but instead shooed away angels who were forced to come back with reinforcements to end his unwaveringly, determined battle.

            He was resistant to leave behind his wife of 50 years, Carolyn, but preceded her in death, assured she will be looked after by their four children and spouses, Becky and John Young, Suzanne and John Harlow, Emilie and Paul Kiritsis, all of Midlothian and Lindsay and Rick Alford of Las Vegas.

            Papa was incredibly proud of his four grandchildren, Kathryn Young, a freshman at Washington & Lee, Reid Kiritsis, a sophomore at St. Christopher’s School and Mia and Oliva Alford, preschoolers in Las Vegas.

            He was thrilled to have recently visited with all three of his brothers, Jim, Cliff and Donald; and his sister, Janet; as well as their spouses.

            Richmond Spider games will no longer be as spirited, but Richard’s cherished Fiji brothers can rest knowing their secrets are now officially safe. Christmas lights will never shine quite as brightly here on Earth. However, Richard was carried to Heaven so that he himself will be the angel atop the most glorious Christmas tree of all.

            Saying he will be greatly missed is simply no description of the gaping hole his absence leaves in our hearts. The world was a better place with his blue eyes throwing sparks and his gregarious laugh carrying through the nave of St. Peter’s Church. Semper Fidelis.

            Visitation has been scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 1, at Bliley’s-Central, 3801 Augusta Ave. A noon service will be held in Cannon Memorial Chapel, at the University of Richmond, on Friday, October 2, before he is laid to rest in Hollywood Cemetery.

            Friends are encouraged to celebrate Richard’s life at Emilie’s home on Friday afternoon, and are welcome to any or all of the aforementioned.

            In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the University of Richmond Scholarship Fund, online at www.URonline.net/givenow or mailed to the Office of Annual Giving, Maryland Hall G-20, 28 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, Va. 23173; both to the attention of Richard Alford Sr.’s memory. Details will also be posted on CaringBridge.org on the Dick Alford Updates site.

 

In another article:

 

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Richmond, VA—Friday, 25 September 2015

 

            Mr. Richard Eugene Alford, of Richmond, a Marine Corps veteran, husband of Carolyn Alford.

 

Photo from Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA—www.findagrave.com

Permission granted by the photographer, Bob Olsen

 

AAFA NOTES: SSDI records do not yet list his death.

            From VA Marriages: Richard Eugene Alford, age 25 born in Perryman, MD, son of Leon Alford and Hazel Denbow, married Carolyn Ann Bartos, age 22 born Richmond, VA, daughter of Joseph John Bartos and Mildred Dansey, on 29 May 1965 in West Point, VA.

            For more information about this family, see AAFA’s published genealogy, Known Descendants of Joel Alford and Clarky B. Carroll.

            His lineage: Richard Eugene 1940 MD¹, Leon Berkley 1909 SC², John Thomas 1861 SC³, Joel/Joseph 1842 SC⁴, Joel 1800 SC⁵.