Gary Gene Alfrey, 66, passed away at his home on Monday, June 10, 2013.
He was born March 28, 1947 in Shelby, Ohio and moved to Escalon, California in 1964. He attended Escalon High School his senior year. He participated in football, basketball and his favorite sport of baseball. Gary joined the Navy in 1966 and served in Hawaii, the Philippines and was a Vietnam vet.
He spent 33 years as an iron worker for Local 118 Sacramento. He was an avid hunter, both gun and archery. He belonged to Lodi Bowmen and was a 30-plus year member of the Yahi Bowmen of Modesto/Riverbank. Mr. Alfrey was a season ticket holder for the Modesto Nuts for 10 years and enjoyed the ballpark friendships and spirit. He also was a solid fan of the Escalon Cougars football team, attending every game until his paralysis made it impossible to get to the field in his wheelchair. Even then he received text message updates for every game after that via a good friend.
Survivors include his mother, Jane Alfrey of Escalon; sister Pamela Elsholz and her husband Jim, also of Escalon; daughters, Shelley Kennedy and fiancé Kurt Mueller of Valley Springs, Tracy Alfrey of Escalon; son Scott Alfrey and his wife Skyler of Escalon; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his love and companion, of four-and-a-half years, Judy Migliori-Heintz. Judy was his high school sweetheart and they rekindled their love after many years. She has also been his main caregiver for the past year-and-a-half during his illness.
He was preceded in death by his father, Andy Alfrey Jr.; wife Catherine Wentworth Alfrey; and nephew Kyle Ercoli.
A Celebration of Life will be held at D’Boni’s in Escalon on Wednesday, June 12 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Bring memories and a happy heart.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
June 12, 2013