CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ALFRED GEORGE HARFIELD JR August 1, 1933 – April 29, 2025

Alfred "Alf" George Harfield, Jr of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away in his sleep April 29, 2025.

Alf was born, as he would say, when he was very young on August 1, 1933 in Peekskill, New York, the oldest of four boys.  His first ten years were spent growing up in the Bronx and Manhattan.  During World War II when the air raid sirens went off, the adults sheltered in the basement while he and his buddies went straight to the rooftops to spot and identify planes.  Moving to Montrose, New York he spent his time playing in the woods, picking berries, and searching for morel mushrooms. He later joined the choir at Hendrick Hudson High School and played the sousaphone in band.

A 22 ½ year career in the Air Force began as the result of a practical joke on his buddy, Frank.  They'd both planned to enlist in the Navy, but Alf kidded that he'd enlisted in the Air Force over his lunch break.  He had no idea Frank would run right out and enlist, too!  He said his Air Force career was the second best decision he made aside from marrying Marcella Raasch.  He was assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC) working with trainers and flight simulators.  When pilots were in the "sim", Alf was in command!

Alf and Marcella met at a dance at the NCO Club in Tampa, Florida.  They married on New Year's Day 1955 and then proceeded to see the world together.  Adventures on the island of Guam included living in a Quonset hut, Typhoon Lola, learning to swim, and meeting Bob Hope after the USO show.  Duty stations back in Florida, then Maine, Ohio, and finally North Dakota rounded out Alf's career.  He retired as a Master Sergeant November 1, 1973.

After a brief stint at a men's clothing store (in the days of the leisure suit), Alf began working for the University of North Dakota's Project Lignite.  It was then he picked up his lifelong love of singing again and joined the Valley Chordsmen, a Barbershop chorus.  Alf and his family enjoyed the time he spent singing baritone in the Harmony Reunion quartet.

After 23 years of moving around, Alf kept his word to his wife and they moved to Minnesota (her home state) where he joined the Twin Cities Barbershoppers.  He had the privilege of singing at the Metrodome during the 7th Inning Stretch of the 1985 MLB All Star Game.  He thoroughly enjoyed singing in English and German with the Norwood Chorus and a lifelong dream came true when New York-born Alf performed at Carnegie Hall!

Three kids kept Alf and Marcella busy over the years with basketball games, concerts, plays, Civil Air Patrol, marching band performances, and more.  It was the grandkids, though, that became the apple of his eye!  He loved to make them giggle, teach them to stomp in puddles, and give them Werther's caramels.  He was part of a quartet with his grandson Adam and his son Craig.

As empty nesters, Alf and Marcella began their traveling adventures often with his brother Bill and his wife Rita. They spent weeks at timeshares across the country, went on cruises, and enjoyed a couple trips to England together.  As a founding member of the American Air Museum in Duxford, England, he and Bill traveled there for the Grand Opening hosted by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Charlton Heston in 1997.  Alf also took a vacation to Florida with his granddaughter, Gloria and great-granddaughter Bella. His last adventure to the United Kingdom was with his granddaughter Rachel where much of the Harfield clan gathered in the local pub.  The travel bug never left him.

In 2012 Alf and Marcella moved to Tennessee with Melanie and her family where Alf was active in the church choir and the Middle Tennessee Veterans.  The two of them enjoyed many live music outings together in Music City.  January 4, 2017 Alf said goodbye to his beloved wife, Marcella, after celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary.

In 2021 he returned to Florida once again.  For the first time since the 1970s, Alf and his kids all lived in the same town.  After dodging a few hurricanes, Alf settled into his assisted living home where he met Mary.  Marcella had told him before she passed that he should have a companion and Mary really fit the bill!  They were two peas in a pod.

If you asked Alf his goal in life, he said he was going to "live until he died".  At first it sounded a little smart-alecky (which he was lovingly known to be!), but it was truly how he lived.  He continued staying involved and engaged in life.  In his 70s and 80s he took classes to learn how to be a locksmith and later lessons in guitar and piano.  He was the favorite of the aides and nurses! His sense of humor, love for singing, and love for people in general endeared him to those he met.

Alf passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 29, 2025 after a short illness and a broken hip.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marcella Julia (Raasch); parents Alfred G. Harfield Sr and Mildred (Francies); brother William (Bill) Harfield; grandson Adam Harfield; and great-grandson Christopher Lotocki.  He is survived by his children Craig Harfield, Scott Harfield, and Melanie Kamp (Steve); 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; and two brothers Thomas Harfield and Kevin Harfield.

Celebration of Life and visitation to be held May 12 at 10 a.m. with a short service 11 a.m.

Baldwin Brothers 1100 El Jobean Rd Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Military Burial same day at 1 pm Sarasota National Cemetery 9810 State Road 72 Sarasota, FL