Alfred C. Pfeiffer

"The secret to a great and long life is family, friends, and community."
- Al Pfeiffer
Alfred Carroll Pfeiffer, Sr., 99, of Medford Lakes, passed away on September 24, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Lindenhurst, New York, in 1926 to Alfred L. and Theresa, Al learned the value of learning and civic life from his father, who was a member of his school board. A proud Lindenhurst Bulldog, Al threw himself into high school activities-from theater and basketball to debate and student government-earning honors and a reputation for balancing achievement with friendship and community spirit.
In 1943, at age 17, Al enlisted in the Navy and trained to become a pilot at Middlebury College. Al later volunteered for active duty and served with distinction as an Engineering Officer aboard the destroyer USS Massey. After World War II, he took part in the Massey's goodwill cruise to promote U.S. relations with South America. During this journey, Al traveled by train across Chile, an experience he remembered fondly all his life. Upon returning stateside, he continued sailing as a civilian and remained in the Naval Reserve for over a decade, forging lifelong bonds with fellow service members.
Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Al earned his bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from Tufts University in 1948. He combined his education with engineering skills to embark on a career with New Jersey Bell Telephone Company. As a young engineer, he designed cable layouts connecting New Jersey. He eventually earned the distinction of leading the preparation of telephone services for 1964's Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City.
Al met Lois Helling in high school, and after the war, the two connected. As a couple, Lois blended gentleness with strength, balancing Al's spontaneity. They married in 1950. To fulfill Lois's wish of living in nature, the couple settled in Medford Lakes, where Al put his engineering skills to use, designing Lois's dream home nestled in the Pine Barrens. Al often claimed that moving to Medford Lakes was the best decision of his life, second only to marrying Lois and raising a vibrant family of five children-Leslie, Carole, David, Robert, and Al Jr.
As grandchildren came along, Al became a bridge between generations, holidays became reunions full of spontaneous joy and cleverly crafted sleeping arrangements; the modest house often brimmed with as many as twenty-five loved ones for days at a time. Al loved being a grandfather and great-grandfather and was beloved in return. He poured joy and pride into every shared ice cream, golf outing, and tale told to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the later years of their over 60-year marriage, Al dedicated himself to caring for Lois. In his 96th year, Al made his last big trip across the country to attend his grandson's wedding in La Jolla, California.
Extending his sense of family into the broader community, Al was a dedicated volunteer with several nonprofits. He served on the boards of the Burlington County Cerebral Palsy Association and the Central New Jersey Chapter of the March of Dimes. In recognition of his meaningful contributions, the Medford Township Council honored Al in 2005 with a Certificate of Appreciation, personally awarded by the town's mayor.
An avid golfer well into his 90s, Al proudly held the distinction of being the oldest and longest-tenured member at the Medford Lakes Country Club. It was often said-half in jest and wholly in truth-that Al was the club's unofficial mascot. When his grandchildren visited the club with him, friends, golf buddies, and staff would welcome him enthusiastically, and he always had a moment to ask about their golf game or to talk sports or politics with them.
Throughout his life, Al was always part of the fun. He could breathe life into any occasion with his captivating storytelling, winning new friends, and inspiring his grandchildren. Most importantly, he taught those around him that family is something we are born into, but we choose friendship freely; a friend is a gift you give yourself. His five children and more than two dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren will keep his memory alive for years to come.
The family invites his friends and the community to a funeral Mass on Friday, October 17, at 11 a.m. at Saint Mary of the Lake, 40 Jackson Road, Medford, followed by a burial at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Wrightstown.
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