Alan DeBruyn

The last thing Alan DeBruyn of Plymouth would have wanted in his memory was a lot of flowery compliments and attention. But DeBruyn, who died suddenly at 62 years old (Feb. 11, 2026) in his quaint home backing up to the Eel River in Chiltonville was a man worth celebrating.

Born to his late parents Frank and Margaret DeBruyn on Sept. 11, 1963 and raised in Abington, Massachusetts, Al was a hands-on and no-nonsense worker from the get-go. At 10 years old, he meandered down the road to what was then the Beal's Farm on Linwood Street in Abington and got hired as a farmhand, milking cows, mucking stalls and doing other farm handwork like helping his friend Bobby Beal shoot the rats that liked to frequent the chicken coop.

Once graduating, he became the first person in his family to earn a college degree, from UMASS Dartmouth.

During his years there, he and his close friend Matt McPhail worked summers roofing for McPhail's father. Upon graduation, they opened their own business, Eastern Cedar, which to this day, remains a busy and respected roofing and siding business. It is important to note that Al thought of Matt as a brother.

It was at UMASS Dartmouth that Al met Erin McCarthy, whom he would go on to marry, settle in Plymouth with and share identical twin sons, Dylan and Devin. While they later divorced, Al and Erin shared a partnership dedicated to raising their boys well. There was nothing Al cared about more deeply and held more pride for than his family.

Part way into the boy's second year of life, Al made the decision to take a temporary leave from roofing to be a stay-at-home dad to the boys. He was focused and dedicated, as well as beloved by all the other parents (mostly moms but some dads too) on the playground and at the Eel River Beach Club, where they spent most every summer day and where Al went on to be a manager.

Today, Dylan is Senior Weather Producer/Meteorologist at FOX Weather in New York City. Devin teaches math at Duxbury High School. Al always loved updating people on their successes.

Once the boys grew, Al went back to Eastern Cedar with Matt and team and worked with them until his death.

Al was a renaissance man; someone who could cook the perfect prime rib dinner (his pan gravy was sinful), fix or build any kind of project needed, talk about the meaning behind his favorite REM or U2 songs, a deep passion for the New England Patriots and always have the laundry done. (How did he do that? Magical).

But in his heart, Al was a "regular guy." Not one for fashion, he was fine in a flannel shirt or work boots.

His favorite way to spend free time was out fishing – often with his dear friend Jimmy Wylie, playing bocce with "The bocce guys" and playing cribbage, usually with his good friends West Gillette and Joe McGaffigan.

In his sudden death, Al leaves his sister Deborah Brown and her husband Paul of Bridgewater, his brother Robert DeBruyn and wife Yvonne of Mansfield, his brother by heart Matt McPhail, many nieces and nephews who adored him, as well as many friends in Plymouth and across the South Shore.

In his memory, his family asks that you spend some time outside on a beautiful day and appreciate the moment.

A celebration of life will be held at Plymouth Yacht Club on the afternoon of Saturday, March 28th. Exact time will be announced soon.