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Alfred L. "Captain Al" Church

1946 - 2020

Alfred L. "Captain Al" Church obituary, 1946-2020, Erie, PA

BORN

1946

DIED

2020

FUNERAL HOME

Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home - Erie

5000 Wattsburg Road

Erie, Pennsylvania

Alfred Church Obituary

Alfred L. Church, 74, of Erie, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 28, 2020, at home surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Erie, on January 7, 1946, son of the late, Chester W. Church and Garnet Murdock Ruggles.

Al graduated from McDowell High School in 1964. He was past president of Church & Murdock Electric, Inc., retiring in 2014. He was a member of the Erie Yacht Club, the Elks Club, NWPA Duck Club, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, the NRA, and several other clubs. Al was a very generous, unique, fun-loving guy. He loved hunting, fast cars, politics, and fishing in both Pennsylvania and Florida. Al took great pride in his home, "Ponderosa Park", where he worked on various projects, enjoyed the wildlife, and hosted several fish fries throughout the years. He loved to help others and enjoyed spending time sharing memories with family and friends. His group texts will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Dascanio Church; his daughter, Abby C. Church; his sisters, Dorothy Zaleski and Mary Lou Huntley, his stepmother, Bernice Mowrey Church; and his stepfather, Ben Ruggles.

Survivors include his two daughters, Amy Church and her fiancé, Timothy Boetger, Jr., of Erie, and Allison Joseph and her husband Stephen, of Valencia, Pa.; his three grandchildren, Parker, Grayson and Kayla Joseph; his sister, Lucy Moon, of Florida; as well as many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Friends may call on the east lawn of the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Monday, August 31, 2020 from 3 to 7 p.m. and are invited the following morning to a graveside funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Due to COVID -19, all current Erie County CDC guidelines will be adhered to.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a charity of one's choice.

Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.

Sign the Guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Erie Times-News on Aug. 30, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Alfred Church

Sponsored by Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home - Erie.

Not sure what to say?





Eric Pennock

September 4, 2020

I have many great memories of fishing with Al on the Great White. Hopefully he and my dad are perch fishing beyond the Pearly Gates (but they’re likely sitting on a boat playing gin ).
RIP Al.

Carl and Marilyn Gentile

September 1, 2020

So very sorry for your family's loss. He will be missed. Condolences to all. Bill and Carl Gentile

Betsy and Ernie DiSantis

August 31, 2020

Dear Amy and Allison, and families, Ernie and I want to express our deep sorrow at your dad's passing. We have such great memories of your parents and family, especially the wonderful fish frys...what fun they were. Please be assured of our prayers for all of you, and happiness that your mom, our great friend, Abby and your dad are all rejoicing together in heaven. God bless all of you. Ernie and Betsy DiSantis

Lori Polanski

August 31, 2020

So very grateful to become friends with Al and his beautiful family! I will miss Al’s smile, sense of humor and daily texts. Very blessed to call him friend.

Mary & Tom Murosky

August 31, 2020

Dear Church Family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your Dear Dad. We wanted you to know you're in our thoughts & prayers at this difficult time.
Sincerely,

Sabra and Joe Pasky

August 30, 2020

Al was always there to help those he could.

Sabra and Joe Pasky

August 30, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in Alfred Church's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Alfred Church

Aug

31

Calling hours

3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home - Erie

5000 Wattsburg Road, Erie, PA 16504

Sep

1

Graveside service

10:00 a.m.

Laurel Hill Cemetery

PA

Funeral services provided by:

Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home - Erie

5000 Wattsburg Road, Erie, PA 16504

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