Alfred Francis Willett

Alfred Francis Willett, 100, of Wakefield, Massachusetts, was called to be with Jesus Christ on April 19, 2025.

Alfred, son of Ruth (Markham) and Paul Cyril Willett was born on October 4, 1924 on the family farm in Chelsea, Maine. He married his “sweetheart” Anne Therese Sateriale on October 7, 1951.

Alfred always dreamed about heaven. 1 Corinthians 2:9, has told us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has in store for those that love Him.” Today he knows.

Growing up, Alfred attended a one room school house through high school. He worked on the family farm in Chelsea, Maine until his life changed when he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in the 227th Field Artillery Battalion of the 29th Division and participated in D-Day at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France June 6, 1944.

Upon his return to the United States, Alfred’s family moved to the Boston area to work on the Route 128 construction project. His skill as a machinist gave him the opportunity to be employed by Lawson Machine and Tool, the Boston and Maine Railroad, and then Amtrak.

Above all, Al’s greatest love and pride was his family and he served as a wonderful example to them with his strong work ethic. He was very proud when his daughter, Therese, graduated from University of Virginia with a nursing degree and then became a nurse practitioner earning her degree from the University of Massachusetts. She and her husband, Rick Rudolph, reside in Georgetown, Ma. His son, Dr. Paul Alfred Willette, earned his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, Missouri and then attended the Cleveland Clinic - Akron General Medical Center for a residency in emergency medicine. He and his wife, Mary, reside in Dublin, Ohio.

Al loved life and had great skill with Yankee ingenuity. There was no task that he could not tackle whether it was rebuilding a car engine or any home improvement project. His secret to longevity was exercise along with the best Italian cooking from Anne accompanied by a glass of red wine. He would take daily long walks where he became a notable figure around town. He was the best Den Dad for Cub Scout Pack 713 at St. Florence parish in Wakefield, Ma. He also thrived through volunteering for the marching band, Conquistadors, from St. Joseph parish in Wakefield for many years.

Al’s favorite pastime was music and dancing. He was known to skip dinner and dance with Anne and all the ladies late into the night even into his 90’s. He liked all music, however, everyone knew that the polka would bring out his happy feet. He and Anne were fortunate to travel extensively throughout Europe, South America, and took many cruises.

As a grandfather, Papa Al, was actively involved with all his grandchildren. He had a close relationship with all four; Heather (Jack) Norcross, Justin Pastushok, Dr. Spencer Paul (Holly) Willette and Abigail Anne Willette, and great-grandchildren Harrison and Mathew Norcross. He stressed the importance of education and strived to offer his family countless opportunities and that with hard work, anything is possible and your dreams can come true.

Alfred is survived by his sister, Faye Broderick of Lincoln, ME. He was predeceased in death by his brothers Phillip, Elwood, and Ronald, along with his sister Pauline Lewis from the great Pine Tree State of Maine, which he loved.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Florence Church, Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine, 47 Butler Ave, Wakefield, MA on Wednesday, April 30 at 11am. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, MA prior to the mass from 9am-10:30am. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations can be made to an organization that has been very important to Alfred:

“Boston Wounded Veterans” 60 Paris Street, East Boston, MA 02128

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