Alfred J. Laude Jr.

WELLS - Alfred John Laude Jr. of Wells Maine passed away Feb. 8, 2018 with his family by his side after a brief but valiant struggle with cancer surrounded by all the people he loved the most. He was 66 years old.

Al was born on May 18, 1951 in Westfield Massachusetts to Alfred John Laude and G. Eleanor Laude (Mesick), the first of five children. Growing up Al was a popular and record-setting athlete in school. He attended Hampden College of Pharmacy. While Al started his career in manufacturing, he later worked in management roles in the Hi Tech industry for Biogen, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Compaq/HP. In 2003, Al decided he was missing too much time with his family by working in the corporate world so together with his wife Joan, opened Alfredo's Italian Pizzeria. He and Joan worked side by side with their children Cara, Nick and Vinny for the next 15 years.

He married the love of his life Joan Laude (Flannery) on June 18, 1983, and together they welcomed three children. They enjoyed life to the fullest, always making family their priority and faced all of life's ups and downs as a team. Al's love of family was paramount. Like most of us, Al faced challenges in life. Al always faced his challenges with a plan of action. He beat his struggle with alcoholism by going back to school to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor and completed his career taking care of others at Merrimack River Medical Services. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, friend. Al devoted his life to taking care of others, whether it was helping his parents, his community or his family. Care of others and quiet generosity is Al's legacy. Without fanfare, Al would give the last dollar he had to someone who needed it.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Joan, as with everything in life they faced the journey as one. In addition he leaves behind his daughter Cara Shaw and his grandchildren Lucas and Natalie, sons Nicholas (fiancé Nicole Ryan) and Alfred Vincent of Wells, Maine, his parents Alfred J. Laude, Sr. and G. Eleanor Laude of Kennebunk, Maine, his brothers David S. Laude (Peggy) of Kennebunk, Maine, their son John and daughter Kate, Paul M. Laude (Sandy) of Greenfield, Massachusetts, children Michael and Christina; sisters, Kathleen Kerr (Ken) of Austin, Texas their children Alex, Greg and David; Margo Emerson (Steve) of Arundel, Maine and their children Stephen and Jack.

Services to honor Al will be Saturday, Feb. 17. Visitation will be at St. Mary's Church, Holy Spirit Parish 236 Eldridge Road, Wells, ME 04090 at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate Al's life at the Wells Activity Center on 113 Sanford Road, Wells, ME from noon to 2 p.m. following the funeral mass.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: The Alfred J. Laude, Jr. Athletic Scholarship Fund; 11 Day Hill Road, Wells, ME 04090.