Alfred H. Bedford

Petersburgh/Berlin – Alfred H. Bedford, 95, of Route 22, Petersburgh, NY, died on Saturday, August 24, 2013, surrounded by his loving family at his son’s home in Troy, NY, after an extended illness, under the care of Community Hospice of Rensselaer County.
Born in New Brunswick, NJ, on June 29, 1918, he was the loving son of the late George W. and Ethel Fulton Bedford and the step-son of the late Jeanette A. Page. Alfred was a 1938 graduate of Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, NY. He was the loving husband of the late AnnaMae A. Robinson Bedford, whom he married in Staten Island on December 27, 1941. She passed away on July 8, 2011. The Bedfords had resided in the Berlin/Petersburgh area for over 40 years after moving from Staten Island.
Alfred was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II in the Battle of the Bulge, being honorably discharged in 1945. Alfred worked in the U.S. Army ordinance at Fort Wadsworth Miller Field in Staten Island from 1949 to 1955 as a combat vehicle mechanic. From 1955 to 1970 he was with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 5th Battalion in Tappan, NY, and Edison, NJ, as an engineer maintenance mechanic. He retired from the Army after serving 23 years.
Alfred worked for the Berlin Central School District as a bus mechanic. He retired in 1982 after 10 years of service. Alfred enjoyed fishing, horseshoes, bowling and spending time with his family. He competed in horseshoe tournaments with his sons and also competed in surf casting competitions while living in Staten Island. He was a member of the North Shore VFW in Staten Island. Alfred was an avid NASCAR fan, especially a fan of Tony Stewart.
Survivors include his 13 children, Alfred and wife Dottie of Staten Island, Diana and husband Larry Richards of  Florida, Richard and wife Alma of Troy, John and Kathy Stewart of Hartford, NY, Ted and wife Shelly of Grafton, NY, Charles and wife Sue of Berlin, NY, Denise and husband Rusty Anderson of Troy, George and wife Leah of Berlin, Edward of Petersburgh, Steven of Troy, Elizabeth, wife of the late Steve Lawton, of Troy, William and Chris Beaudoin of Troy, Kathryn and husband Don Goodermote of Petersburgh, his daughter-in-law, Claudia Bedford of North Fort Myers, FL, his stepsister, Lila Fisher of Muscatine, IA, 37 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by two children, Lillian and Robert, four grandchildren, Stacey Anderson, John, Jolene and Richard Bedford, a sister, Katherine D. Bedford, and a brother, George W. Bedford.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday evening, August 27, at 7 pm in the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home, 66 Armsby Road, Petersburgh, where Rev. Jason White, pastor, officiated. Relatives and friends were invited for visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm. Interment with full military honors took place on Wednesday at 11 am in the Eagle Mills Cemetery.
To remember Alfred in a special way, memorial contributions may be given either to the Petersburgh Rescue Squad or to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County in care of the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home, P.O. Box 361, Petersburgh, NY, 12138.