Alfred G. "Al" Williams III

Brewster, Mass. - Alfred "Al" G. Williams III, 85, of Timberlane Drive in Brewster, Mass., passed away peacefully Jan. 16, 2022, wrapped in the arms of his loving family in the comfort of his home. Al was the darling husband of Gayle Kenerson Williams – his second love – for the past nine years, the beloved husband of Barbara "Bobbie" (Miller) Williams – who predeceased him – for 47 years, and a treasured father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin. He was also a cherished friend to the many whose lives he touched with his heart of gold.

Born in New York City, he graduated in 1954 from La Salle Academy where he was a scholastic track and cross-country runner. Al went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Queens College, attending as a part-time student while working a full time job. After graduating, he worked for Brookhaven National Laboratories in Upton, Long Island, for two years before moving with his bride, Bobbie, to southeastern Connecticut and beginning a career in Quality Control at Pfizer that spanned 34 years. While employed at Pfizer, Al earned an MBA from the University of New Haven while raising a family and supporting the many causes that were near and dear to his heart. He also served in the National Guard.

Al led a purpose-driven life. He was known for his kind and giving heart, his compassion, gentle demeanor, humility, strong work ethic and his devotion to family, friends, faith and charitable causes. He was also known for the breads he baked for others under the alias, "Bread Baker Al," and for the thoughtful cards and letters he sent to brighten people's days. Al left his handprint on countless hearts.

While raising his family with his wife Bobbie in Ledyard, Al was a constant figure at his children's school and extracurricular activities and a patient "teacher" in the evenings and on weekends – always at the ready to assist his kids with their homework and papers in his gentle, methodical way. At the same time, he was actively involved with several nonprofit organizations and initiatives. Among them, he was a member of the Ledyard Lions Club for over 30 years, serving in various roles including president and helping make weekly Bingo events a mainstay fundraiser. He also volunteered in his family's parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, helped acclimate Laotian refugees to the area, and taught religious education and marriage preparation classes with Bobbie. Al also served as race director for two local road races, the Ledyard Fair/Tom Hewes Memorial and the Father Casey Memorial.

After retiring in 1998 to Cape Cod, Al's commitment to philanthropic work expanded. He joined the Chatham-Nauset Lions Club, serving in various roles – including president and PR director – over the course of more than 20 years and joined the Friends of Crosby Mansion, serving for 20 years as vice president and PR director for the organization and as docent for the Mansion with particular expertise on the library room. He was also a member of the Crosby Properties Committee, taught English as a second language through the Cape Cod Literacy Council, contributed his time and talent to refurbishing the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, and tested water in Pleasant Bay as part of Friends of Pleasant Bay's Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Program. As a communicant of St. Joan of Arc parish in Orleans, Mass., Al volunteered preparing and serving meals at the parish center and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

In his prime, Al was an avid runner and a fitness aficionado. He was a founding member of the Mohegan Striders Running Club in southeastern, Connecticut and in the '70s, ran six consecutive Boston Marathons. Al also enjoyed practicing yoga before it became popular and well into his retirement. Additionally, he enjoyed working out at local gyms into his eighties.

Al is survived by his devoted wife, Gayle; his brother, Steven, and his wife, Lenora, of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; his brother, Ronald, of Oakdale, N.Y.; his brother, Robert, and his wife, Ellen, of Islip, N.Y.; his loving children and their families, including his oldest son, Scott Williams, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; his daughter, Dawn (Williams) Ratté, and her husband, Michael, of Lincoln, R.I.; his youngest son, Todd Williams, and his wife, Debra, of Stonington, Conn.; and his six grandchildren, Ryan, Erin, Justin, Kyle, Collin and Kailey. Al is also survived by Gayle's daughter, Shawn (Kenerson) Johnson, and her husband, Jeff, of Richmond, Vt., and her family.

Al was predeceased by his parents, Alfred G. Williams Jr. and Eva (Vincenzini) Williams.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at St. Joan of Arc, 61 Canal Road, Orleans, Mass. In lieu of calling hours, a Celebration of Life will be held following mass from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 29, at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, 2907 Main Street, Brewster, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made "in memory of Al Williams" to the Friends of Crosby Mansion, P.O. Box 1888, Brewster, MA, 02631. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.