PORTLAND - Alphonse Alfred "Al" Gendrolis, 91 of Falmouth, died on Monday, May 24, 2010 at Maine Medical Center. Millie, his wife of 60 years, predeceased him on December 31, 2007.Al was born in Lewiston on July 27, 1918, the son of the late John and Marcella Gendrolis, moving to Portland in the 1920's. He completed 8th grade at North School, dropping out to help support the family. On March 19, 1941 he enlisted in the US Army, serving in Georgia, Texas and Iceland prior to deployment to the European Theater of operations where he participated in the Normandy, Rhineland and Ardennes Campaigns and served in Gen. Patton's US Third Army. He was mustered out at Ft. Devens on August 6, 1945.
Upon his return to Portland he met Mildred McFarland, they were married on February 15, 1947 and they settled in Falmouth.
Al worked for the American Can Company from 1951 to 1972, rising to a position as Quality Control Engineer. He served as a reserve police officer for the Falmouth Police Department and as an officer for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, cited for heroism by the State Legislature in 1976.
During the 1960's and 1970's, Al was active in the Falmouth Little League program as a coach and umpire. He was also an active member of the Falmouth Lion's Club. In later years he was active in the local chapter of the AARP and the Italian Heritage Club. He was also a long time member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Al is survived by his daughter, Betty Huffman of Portland and her children, Stephanie and Shawna; his son LTC Paul S. Gendrolis, US Army Retired, his wife Sylvia and their daughter Emily, of Fredericksburg, VA; his sisters, Millie and Bertha, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Ave., Portland. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Falmouth.
Please visit
www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Al's guestbook.
Arrangement s are under the direction of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland.
In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the charity of your choice in Al's memory.
