Alfred Waldemar Strutynski

90 - Born Alfred Waldemar Strutynski in Romania of Polish and French descent, the aftermath of WWI in Vienna, Austria comprised the stage of his youth. Surviving the early loss of his father, a truncated education, the chronicles of the Hitler regime, and the loss of his mother, Alfred came to America to begin anew. In San Francisco, the exacting demands of accounting firms became his livelihood, the cabaret dance floors his recreation and joyƒ it was in a German dance hall in "The City'" that he met and married his wife of 52 years, Kathryn Latimer of Utah. Known for his perfect, "handwritten to the end" tax returns, Alfred enjoyed a faithful clientele into retirement years. When not researching and unraveling the latest IRS conundrums, "Alfredo" could be found at the Carmel Foundation savoring a gourmet lunch. He relished recounting stories of (unrecorded) postwar Europe. An exemplar of order and routine: daily teatime with a predictable rotation of flavors; toast on #4 setting- exactly; wienerschnitzle must be cooked just "so"ƒ he was by the same token often heard to be protesting, "Que sera sera!" Reading mysteries, watching televised mysteries or simply working the crossword puzzle after a stroll, were planned as well as spontaneous pursuits. Still persevering through a forest of IRS paper work within three weeks of his passing, one of his last concerns in the hospital was the timely filing of a tax extension. Yet Garden East at Community Hospital "stopped" one afternoon, three days before his "transfer", when Alfred declared "enough!" of the viscous fare … he was to have a proper cup of tea … and tea he had, in style, with a rotation of floor nurses in attendance. Sunday, April 11, mid-day, exactly two days after his wife passed away, Alfred, ever the captain of his choices, passed in utter tranquility - the closing statement on a life that spanned nine abundant and intriguing decades. Alfred will be lovingly remembered by his daughters, Karen (Chris Altmeyer) Strutynski and Maria (Art) Silva and his grandchildren, Louisa, Katarina, and Rhiannon. Funeral services will take place on Sunday, June 27, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at the Nautilus Room of the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove. To sign Alfred's guest book and leave messages for his family, please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com