Clarfield, Albert
Albert Clarfield, a child of Russian Jewish immigrants, grew up in a family of three children in Brooklyn with parents of modest means.
Al began his love of technology by attending Brooklyn Tech High School where he was a talented and gifted student in mathematics. He was especially interested and involved in engineering.
Al joined the Army Air Corps during WWII. His technical talents led him to a highly specialized position where he trained pilots and serviced, maintained and tested bomber aircraft.
After his military service, he developed his own businesses, which included a bar and garage, before using his talents to become a successful, self-employed sales representative working with engineering companies.
He married in 1950 and raised his family in Old Bethpage on Long Island. He wanted his children to be educated and have better opportunities for themselves. All of his children attended college and have earned their bachelor's, and two have master's degrees.
He was a man of many interests. He loved the ocean and owned two boats, and he would take his family on weekend trips where his children would join him swimming, fishing, and clamming. He loved to travel overseas while also enjoying the culture of New York City - museums, restaurants, architecture, theater, concerts, and opera, which was his greatest passion. Later in life, he used his love of music and opera by co-founding the Torrance Symphony in California and in Rio Rancho by explaining and showing opera performances at the library for eight years.
After raising his family, he pursued traveling through the Southwest with which he developed an affection during his military days when he was stationed in Arizona and Texas. Al enjoyed the last many of his ninety-three years in Rio Rancho where he lived happily with his beloved partner of twenty years, Venia Stanley. He shared his love of people, music and life with her.
Al is survived by his daughter, Elisa Willits-Spolin and her husband, Niles; daughter, Bonnie Clarfield-Bylin and her husband, Stephen and their children Sage, Laurel and Skyler; by Venia's daughter, Tina Stanley and her husband, Casey Elliott, and their daughter, Noelle; and Venia's daughter, Deena Stanley and her two sons, David and Avi.
Al was preceded in death by Venia's son, Tan Stanley.
Al was a member of Congregation Albert in Albuquerque. In accordance with Al's wishes there was no memorial service to mark his passing. His cremains were interred in the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Donations in Al's memory can be made to Congregation Albert, 3800 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuq., NM 87110.
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Published in Albuquerque Journal from May 14 to May 15, 2016
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