Alan Wolfley

ALAN WOLFLEY ROCKFORD - Alan Wolfley was born Dec. 23, 1923, in Rockford and died Tuesday, March 8, 2011, in Norwalk, Conn. Son of the late Chester E. and Lois K.; brother of the late Gordon and Richard. Longtime resident of New Canaan, Conn., and also of Summit, N.J., Tokyo, Japan, Birmingham, Mich., and Niagara Falls, N.Y. Educated at East Rockford High School, Class of 1941; Middlebury College, Class of 1945; and Harvard Business School, Class of 1949. Wolfley met his wife, Joanne Higgins at Middlebury; they married Jan. 6, 1945. Together they shared a love for family, books, socializing and spending their summers in downeast Maine. Wolfley served with decoration to the rank of captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 and flew 51 B-24 combat missions over occupied Europe, mostly as a squadron bombardier for the 451st Bomb Group and 724th Squadron of the 15th Air Force. For those who knew him, retirement was a word unknown to "AW." His wartime experiences stood him well in his later business pursuits, which included top financial and executive positions with five Fortune 500 companies until the mid-1970s. After breaking from the corporate world, Wolfley found his life's business niche and participated in several successful entrepreneurial ventures in the international natural resources field, including his pioneering work in the Colombian seaborne coal trade. He remained active in business until his final day. Wolfley was also a highly proficient golfer and pursued this lifelong passion into his 80s. He was a longstanding member of Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, Conn., and Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, N.J. He also found time to play most of the 100 classic courses in the world. Survived by his wife of 66 years, Joanne; children, C. Alan Wolfley (Heidi), Susan W. Baumgartner and E. William Wolfley (Juanita); grandchildren, Megan (Chris Holton), Alison, Andrew and Laura Wolfley and Tim (Lena), Derek (Kelly) and Lisa Baumgartner; and great-grandchild, Jack Thomas Holton.