Alfred Catalfo Jr.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. - Attorney Alfred Catalfo, Jr., 99, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2016, in Sevierville, Tenn. He was a respected trial lawyer, longtime member of the Dover community, and a legend.

He was born on January 31, 1917, in Lawrence, Mass., the son of Alfio and Vincenza (Amato) Catalfo.

He leaves his wife and companion of 44 years, Attorney Gail Varney Catalfo, of Gatlinburg, Tenn. He was predeceased in 1968 by his first wife, Caroline Mosca Catalfo, the mother of his three beloved children, Attorney Alfred T. Catalfo, III, of Dover; Attorney Carole J. Catalfo of Louisville, Ky.; and Dr. Gina Mireault and her husband, Dr. Jay Mireault, of Waterbury Center, Vt. He leaves four grandchildren, Gina Catalfo Nelson and her husband, Derek Nelson, of Dover; Alfred (Freddie) R.T. Catalfo, IV, of Dover; Alfred (Al) Mireault of San Francisco, Calif.; and Carolynn (Lynn) Mireault of New York City. Survivors include his beloved sister-in-law, Patricia Catalfo, sister Frances Morang, mother-in-law Jeanette Varney, Donna Labrie Hunt, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Joseph Catalfo, Salvatore (Sam) Catalfo, Mary Gilbert and Ida McClendon.

Fred's first language was Italian. Upon completing the eighth grade, he worked in a mill full-time for five years to help support his family. He could not speak English well until he entered high school at the age of 19 but eventually became editor of the school newspaper. He graduated from Berwick Academy in 1940 and attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Despite never having been out of New England, he was elected University of Alabama Freshman Class President. He was a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Although the smallest member of the team, he made up for it with heart and determination, which he displayed in all aspects of his life.

He served his country as a U.S. Navy pilot in World War II, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his service, he was in a plane crash which left him on the critical list for eleven days, then in an arm and body cast for nine months. He was a World War II 100% service-connected Disabled American Veteran. Fred has been a member of the New Hampshire Disabled American Veterans for 72 years where he served as Department Commander and as Judge Advocate, a position he held for over 60 years until his death. He leaves his beloved brothers and sisters of the New Hampshire D.A.V. and Auxiliary.

Following World War II, Fred graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. Degree in History. He then entered Boston University School of Law where he completed the three-year curriculum in two years, graduated, and was sworn in to the New Hampshire Bar in 1947. He remained a member of the New Hampshire Bar until his death and was also admitted to the Tennessee Bar at age 91. While practicing law, he obtained a Master's Degree in History from U.N.H., writing "The History of the Town of Rollinsford" as his Master's thesis.

He practiced law for 59 years, well into his eighties, the last 15 of those with his wife and son. Fred's commanding and colorful presence in the courtroom, his trial skills, and his mentorship of other attorneys are legendary.

Fred loved politics. He was elected Strafford County Attorney for two terms and served as State Chairman of the Democratic Party where he helped elect his good friend, John F. Kennedy, as President of the United States. He was a Kennedy delegate to the 1960 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles. In 1962, he was Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate.

He served as aide-de-camp to three New Hampshire Governors and entertained many prominent presidential candidates in his Dover home.

In 2006, he moved to Gatlinburg, Tenn., in the Great Smoky Mountains, where he wrote his autobiography, "Undefeated, Scored On Once," published in 2014. The title has a dual meaning: As head coach of the Berwick Academy football team while he was a college student, he coached the team to an "undefeated, scored-on-once" season; and, following his plane crash in World War II, he successfully challenged a surgeon who wanted to amputate his arm. He had just completed a second book yet to be published about his legal career.

He was a member of numerous organizations over the years including American Legion Post 8, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 5, Knights of Columbus, Loyal Order of Moose, Dover Elks and the Navy League of America.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be Friday, April 29, 2016, from 4-7 p.m., at the Wiggin-PurdyMcCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Avenue, Dover, N.H. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016, at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Church - Parish of the Assumption, 150 Central Ave., Dover, N.H. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com.