Alfred J. Pinell's Obituary
Alfred J. Pinell of Kittery ME passed away peacefully on January 17, 2024 at 100 years old. He was born in Lawrence MA on March 31, 1923, son of the late Alfred and Zelia (Sonier) Pinell. He attended St Ann’s Grammar School, and graduated from Lawrence High School.
Alfred served in the US Army, landing on D-Day in the Normandy invasion. His knowledge of the French language afforded him assignments behind the lines working with the local populace and assisting in various roles, including running mess operations and guarding captured officers. Upon discharge, he re-enlisted in the US Army Reserve and later served in the US Air Force Reserves at Pease Air Force Base.
Al married Therese Comtois (d.2005) from Lawrence, raising three daughters Denise, Susan and Lynn in West Hartford CT and Lawrence, MA. He worked in aerospace related businesses in Connecticut (Pratt & Whitney) and Massachusetts (Raytheon, AVCO, ITEK). He was particularly proud of his involvement in NASA development programs for Apollo capsules and the Viking Mars orbiters and landers. Al and Therese divorced, and he later remarried to Vivian Towle (d.2004), originally of Maine. They lived in Dover NH for 30 years, while he continued his career working in Quality Assurance at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Over the years, Al enjoyed golfing, bowling, roller skating, hiking, flying planes, collecting coins and stamps, and traveling. Some years later, Al relocated to Meetinghouse Village in Kittery, ME, to be near Theresa Dubois, a longtime friend from Lawrence, MA. He had a strong presence there, entertaining any visitors or neighbors that came by with his wit and mischievous manner.
Al’s family, most notably his daughters and grandson Jack Shea, became his support team over the past 10 or so years, as he navigated his 90s. He celebrated his 100th birthday last March in a big way, with recognition as a WWII veteran from the US Air Force, the Veteran’s Administration, the White House and the Governor of Maine, among others. Al loved the seacoast area, and enjoyed many outings to beaches, parks and seafood restaurants with his family.
Al was recently predeceased by his youngest daughter Lynn, and previously by granddaughter Dena Parolisi. He is survived by daughter Susan (Tony) Parolisi; daughter Denise (Bob) Palumbo; son-in-law John Shea; grandchildren Guy (Kathy) Bibeau; Robert and Elizabeth Palumbo; David Parolisi; Diane (Shane) Heath; Jack, Pat and Maggie Shea; great-grandchildren Sheyann, Arielle and Hailey Bibeau; Matthew and Ashley Parolisi; Jacob Parolisi; A.J., Jordan, Anthony and Julian Sanchez; Priscilla Heath; and great-great-grandchildren - Billy, Braelyn and Stella.
The family would like to thank all those who supported Al over the years at Meetinghouse Village, Martin’s Point (Portsmouth), Veteran’s Administration, USAF Reserves.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am Friday January 26 at St. Lucy Parish, 254 Merrimack St, Methuen, MA. Burial with military honors to follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 80 Corbett Rd, Andover MA.
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