LACONIA ----- Can you imagine at 100+ the history you’ve witnessed? Our beloved dad, Alfred John Binder was born on September 29, 1919, in Newark, NJ, and passed away on September 21, 2020, surrounded by loved ones in his home in Laconia, NH. He had a full life, rich with adventures and stories that have become family legend. He embraced life with gusto, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
Al lost his father as a young boy, and early on took on the mantle of responsibility to care for his family. At the age of 17, during the depression, he developed a woodturning business employing men more than twice his age. Al was an Army Signal Corps veteran of World War 2, stationed in Fort Monmouth, NJ, where he worked on the classified Proximity Fuse Program. In his twenties, he worked his way up to vice-president of Elberon Development in Hillside, NJ.
Family was always a priority to him. Although he was widowed twice, he never complained, instead spoke of “how blessed he was to have had two wonderful, loving marriages”.
With his beloved first wife Laurie, he raised his two sons. Ronald C. Binder and Alan J. Binder in Summit, NJ. No matter how full his work schedule was, he made it a priority to come home each night for family dinners.
In 1970, he developed his own construction company, NewCon Construction, Inc., and later was joined in the business by his two sons.
In 1982, he married Margaret Oellers Binder adding three daughters; Wendy Oellers-Fulmer, Suzanne Naughton, Elizabeth Oellers, and a son Rick Oellers. Instead of the Brady Bunch, it became the Binder Bunch! The family now has expanded to include eleven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
Al had a tremendous sense of adventure and enjoyed traveling, from the U.S. to Europe. He loved boating and spent many years, relaxing and motoring on his boat My Schatzi from the waters of New England to Florida with family and friends. Al always loved coming to New Hampshire, first with his wife Laurie on family vacations. Years later, he fulfilled a dream and moved to Laconia in 1999 with his second wife Margaret.
Al was a man of Christian faith, who figuratively and literally lived by example. He shared his beliefs and love for God with all those he met. Al was a true gentleman and a mentor to all who had the opportunity to meet him. His compassion, encouragement, love, and incredible joy he felt for life now flows through and onto all of us who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.
A Family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In Lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to either the White River Junction Blinded Veterans Association Chapter, 1101 King Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314 and/or the Laconia Fire Department Life Safety Fund 848 N. Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services and 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.