Obituary of Ellwood Stafford

Ellwood “Al” V. Stafford passed away at the Winchester Hospital on Thursday afternoon, October 19, 2006. The husband of Ruth I. (Doherty), he was 79 years old. Al was raised and educated in Newport, Rhode Island. He had a very distinguished career serving his country in the United States Army for 21 years. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. For a period of time during his career he was stationed in South America as a Ranger. He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Medal of Honor, and the National Defense Service Medal. Al and his wife settled in Burlington in 1967 where they raised their four children. After leaving the service Al attended the University of Lowell where he received an Associates Degree. He was employed at Computer Vision in Bedford for 19 years as a Quality Assurance Engineer. Al was an avid and skilled bowler. He bowled for many years in a league that was based out of Burlington, North Reading and most recently Lowell. He bowled up until his 79th year. Al loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing at Lynn Harbor and Plum Island, working in his garden at home and swimming in his pool with this family. During his retirement years he developed an interest in Genealogy. He spent many hours researching his family history which he was able to trace all the way back to the Mayflower. Al’s family was the most important part of his life. He treasured the many special times he spent with his wife Ruth, his children and his grandchildren. He took great pride in all his children's accomplishments. Al is the beloved husband of Ruth I. (Doherty). He is the loving father of John Stafford of Littleton, CO, Lawrence Stafford & his wife Michelle of Stow, Lynda & her husband Paul Fawcett of Rising Sun, MD, and Patricia & her husband Kevin Werner of Hudson. He is the brother of Burton Stafford of NC, Alvin Bliven of RI, Barbara Spence of NC, and the late George, William & Janice Stafford. He is the grandfather of Meghan & Jack Stafford, Robert & Katherine Fawcett, Phillip & Nicholas Werner. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday, October 23 at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday 3-7 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Al’s name may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America, Massachusetts Chapter, 495 Old Connecticut Path, Suite 220, Framingham, MA 01701.