Alfred E. "Al"Hersey,95, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at the Lynn Health Care Center. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Elinor (Streeter) Hersey of Winslow Gardens Retirement Center, 40 Irving Ave., East Providence. He was born in North Waterford, Maine, January 23, 1911, the son of the late Charles and Carrie (Kingsbury) Hersey. He graduated from Bridgeton Academy in Maine in 1930.
He resided in Providence and spent summers on rural property along Long Entry Road, north of Chepachet where he grew vegetables, flowers, fruits, and Christmas trees.
Al, as he was known to friends and colleagues, had a career and devotion to agriculture that was inexhaustible. A 1934 URI graduate, he taught agriculture in the Warwick School System from 1935 -1942. He received a WWII Agricultural Deferment because of his agricultural expertise. He was a Herdsman for the former State School for Homeless Boys and also worked in the Piggery at the State Hospital. From 1942 – 1957, he was store manager and field representative for Eastern States Farmers Exchange until that company became Agway, where he continued as salesman and manager until 1972. His dedicated affiliation with various agricultural organizations was immeasurable. As a very active member of the RI Fruit Growers Assn., he served as a delegate for the Council and was treasurer until just recently. He was a member the RI Christmas Tree Growers Assn., a former Director and Board Member of the Northern RI Coop Extension, and was elected Committeeman of the Providence County branch of the Farm Bureau.
For over 10 years he was a volunteer with AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly, receiving a TCE certificate from them. He was a former treasurer for the Greenville Senior Sunshiners. He was a Trustee, Life Deacon, and long time member of the Church of the Master-Baptist.
Besides his wife, he is survived by daughter, Hope Lockwood of Conner, Montana; 2 sons Harry and family of Williamsburg, Virginia and Harlan and family of Cranston, RI; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Alvin and wife Helen of Kennebunk, ME and William (Bill) and wife Jean of Rumford Center, ME; as well as many cousins and relatives of the Bradford family. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Louise Loring, Mary Hilkey and Mabel Warren, and a brother, Leroy.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at Winslow Gardens, 40 Irving Ave, East Providence. In lieu
of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Church of the Master Baptist,15 Valley Street,Providence,
RI 02909.