BANGOR – Alfred T. Banfield Jr., 76, died July 5, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born October 3, 1944, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the son of Alfred Sr. and Rita (Simoneit) Banfield.
Alfred graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, Class of 1962. He received his undergraduate degree from Rockhurst University in Kansas City and his graduate degree from the University of Maine. While pursuing his Masters degree, Alfred worked as a founding member for the Children's International Summer Villages (CISV), Maine Chapter. He was a journalist for many years before becoming a teacher. As a second career he taught English at the St. John's Parochial School in Bangor and science at Bangor High School. Alfred retired from the Bangor School System in 2010. In his retirement, Alfred became very active in the Bangor area. One of his first volunteer activities was with the American Folk Festival and continued doing so for many years. He was instrumental in setting up and dismantling the event. Alfred was the first volunteer to be awarded the Jerry Turner Excellence in Volunteerism award for his effort. He belonged to the Hammond Street Senior Center and was involved with the rooftop garden and craft room activities. As the Hammond Street Senior Center was closing, Alfred was instrumental in moving the Rooftop Garden to the Bangor Community Garden where he was very active in gardening and community outreach activities. He also belonged to Hampden Garden Club, Penobscot Valley Senior College, where he worked on the curriculum committee, Penobscot County Genealogy Society, the Maine Herb Society. Alfred also volunteered at the Salvation Army Dorothea Day Soup Kitchen with Mary, his wife, and several others. The cooking team was known as the “Al and the Hairnet Ladies”. He was an enthusiastic genealogist. He spent much of his retirement years tracing back his and Mary's families culminating the research into a book bound edition of each family history with a beautiful narrative to highlight various individuals. Copies of this magnificent piece of work was given to each family member at Christmas several years ago. Alfred loved his gardens and became a master gardener in 2015 at the age of 71. He grew vegetables, herbs and flowers together, coexisting in beauty and productivity. Mary and Alfred bought, restored, and cared for the home of their dreams in 1990. Their garden was on Zonta Garden Tour. Mary and Alfred also had a lovely camp in Stonington which they enjoyed taking their friends and family, particularly her grandchildren. Alfred felt joy teaching them how to kayak, hike along the shore, camp on islands, and learn how to dig clams. Gazing at the magnificent dark sky at night in Stonington and identifying the solar systems was a favorite pastime for Alfred to share with his grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed his careers as a teacher and journalist. Alfred enjoyed his life, he often stated he was blessed and greatly appreciated all he had.
He is survived by his wife and soul-mate, Mary; a step-daughter, Kimberly Carter Devanney and her husband, Shawn, of New Hampshire; step-son, Christopher John Carter and his wife, Enya, of Durham; daughters, Susannah Banfield and Bryn Banfield, both of Washington; grandsons, Shane, Nick, Casey, and Jack Devanney; grand-daughters, Lily Banfield, and Gwendolyn Banfield.
At Alfred's request, there will be a private graveside service, on Alfred and Mary’s wedding anniversary of 39 years, at the East Lamoine Cemetery where he will be laid to rest next to a reserved spot for his beloved Mary when she joins him. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at 3:00 PM, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church 768 Ohio St., Bangor, Those wishing to remember Alfred in a special way, may make gifts in his memory to St. Joseph Hospice, P.O. Box 403 Bangor, ME 04402. The family cannot adequately express the professional and nurturing care Alfred received under their care. They were extraordinary.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alfred Banfield, please visit our flower store.
Alfred graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, Class of 1962. He received his undergraduate degree from Rockhurst University in Kansas City and his graduate degree from the University of Maine. While pursuing his Masters degree, Alfred worked as a founding member for the Children's International Summer Villages (CISV), Maine Chapter. He was a journalist for many years before becoming a teacher. As a second career he taught English at the St. John's Parochial School in Bangor and science at Bangor High School. Alfred retired from the Bangor School System in 2010. In his retirement, Alfred became very active in the Bangor area. One of his first volunteer activities was with the American Folk Festival and continued doing so for many years. He was instrumental in setting up and dismantling the event. Alfred was the first volunteer to be awarded the Jerry Turner Excellence in Volunteerism award for his effort. He belonged to the Hammond Street Senior Center and was involved with the rooftop garden and craft room activities. As the Hammond Street Senior Center was closing, Alfred was instrumental in moving the Rooftop Garden to the Bangor Community Garden where he was very active in gardening and community outreach activities. He also belonged to Hampden Garden Club, Penobscot Valley Senior College, where he worked on the curriculum committee, Penobscot County Genealogy Society, the Maine Herb Society. Alfred also volunteered at the Salvation Army Dorothea Day Soup Kitchen with Mary, his wife, and several others. The cooking team was known as the “Al and the Hairnet Ladies”. He was an enthusiastic genealogist. He spent much of his retirement years tracing back his and Mary's families culminating the research into a book bound edition of each family history with a beautiful narrative to highlight various individuals. Copies of this magnificent piece of work was given to each family member at Christmas several years ago. Alfred loved his gardens and became a master gardener in 2015 at the age of 71. He grew vegetables, herbs and flowers together, coexisting in beauty and productivity. Mary and Alfred bought, restored, and cared for the home of their dreams in 1990. Their garden was on Zonta Garden Tour. Mary and Alfred also had a lovely camp in Stonington which they enjoyed taking their friends and family, particularly her grandchildren. Alfred felt joy teaching them how to kayak, hike along the shore, camp on islands, and learn how to dig clams. Gazing at the magnificent dark sky at night in Stonington and identifying the solar systems was a favorite pastime for Alfred to share with his grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed his careers as a teacher and journalist. Alfred enjoyed his life, he often stated he was blessed and greatly appreciated all he had.
He is survived by his wife and soul-mate, Mary; a step-daughter, Kimberly Carter Devanney and her husband, Shawn, of New Hampshire; step-son, Christopher John Carter and his wife, Enya, of Durham; daughters, Susannah Banfield and Bryn Banfield, both of Washington; grandsons, Shane, Nick, Casey, and Jack Devanney; grand-daughters, Lily Banfield, and Gwendolyn Banfield.
At Alfred's request, there will be a private graveside service, on Alfred and Mary’s wedding anniversary of 39 years, at the East Lamoine Cemetery where he will be laid to rest next to a reserved spot for his beloved Mary when she joins him. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at 3:00 PM, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church 768 Ohio St., Bangor, Those wishing to remember Alfred in a special way, may make gifts in his memory to St. Joseph Hospice, P.O. Box 403 Bangor, ME 04402. The family cannot adequately express the professional and nurturing care Alfred received under their care. They were extraordinary.
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