Alfred Edward Nordgren Jr.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Alfred Edward Nordgren Jr. of Canton, MA on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at the age of 88. Born on April 8, 1936, in Hartford, CT, to wonderful parents, Alfred Edward Nordgren Sr. and Blanche (Carey) Nordgren, he was the brother of Carey Nordgren and the late Richard Nordgren and Florence Leishman.

Al was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Nordgren; his son, Alfred Edward Nordgren III of Pennsylvania; his son, Bradley Pawl Nordgren, and wife, Melissa (Culver) Nordgren, and grandfather to Alyssa and Lola of Canton; his son, Craig Stephen Nordgren, and wife, Laura (Schuhmacher) Nordgren of Foxboro, and grandfather to Shane Austin Nordgren of South Boston and Stephan Alfred Edward Nordgren and wife, Amy (Carroll) Nordgren, and great-grandfather to Noah, Rio, and Teddy of N. Attleboro; and his daughter, Deborah Anne Nordgren of Canton.

Al attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1959, and later received his master's degree from William and Mary. Known as "Big Al," he excelled both academically and athletically. He played a variety of sports in high school and college, including football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, gymnastics, and boxing, where he won the championship in his plebe year. Al went on to serve in the Army as a pilot and served heroically in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star, awarded for acts of heroism, merit, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Al retired as a Major after 13 years due to injuries he incurred during the war and went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher. Having been deeply impacted by one of his high school teachers, he wanted to do the same for others. He spent most of his career at Canton High School, starting in 1973, teaching physics. He was successful in taking a challenging subject and making it both fun and interesting. He was known for his engaging teaching style and his ability to motivate students academically through unique seating arrangements and participatory lesson plans.

But Al was more than a teacher; he fulfilled his dream of paying it forward, giving other young people what had once been given to him by a teacher. He encouraged many who were on the wrong path that they could excel. He impacted so many students that, to this day, his family members often have strangers approach them and share stories of how Al changed their lives, how he was the best teacher they ever had, and how, if not for him, their lives likely would have turned out very differently. He did all this silently; none of us really knew the impact he had on so many because he was a deeply humble man. He was a listener, a quiet man whom you couldn't help but admire and respect. He had that rare quality that can't really be described-a presence. He never called attention to himself, but when he walked into a room, you noticed. After teaching for many years, he took on the role of vice-principal at Canton High until he retired at age 65. He will be deeply missed by his children, who idolized him and feel so fortunate to have been given the gift of such a wonderful father-a man of strength, integrity, honesty, and kindness who lived the motto of West Point: Duty, Honor, Country.

Due to illness, there will be a small private service for family and friends that will not be open to the public at the request of Al's wife, Joan. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make donations to the Canton Veterans Office at 801 Washington Street Canton, MA 02021.