Obituary of Alfred J. Verrier

Link to Funeral Mass

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Alfred J. Verrier, a man deeply involved in his community, passed away after an extended illness on Wednesday morning, November 1, 2023.  He was 87 years old.  Al was born in Cambridge, the son of Canadian immigrant Arthur Verrier and Marie Verrier of Cambridge.  He grew up in Cambridge and was a graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School where he excelled in football. Al worked his entire career as a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 and had recently received his 60^th year membership pin.  As a member of Local 17, he worked all over Boston and the surrounding area.  Some of his notable projects he worked on included Portsmouth Air Force Base, the GM Manufacturing Plant in Framingham, and the Prudential Center.  During those years, he also served in the Army National Guard.

Al was a go-getter.  If he was involved in something, he was all in.  He served as an elected member of the Shawsheen Technical High School Committee for 16 years.  He had a strong belief in giving students interested in the trades the resources and education to easily enter the workforce.  His children were all involved in the Bedford Militiamen Drum and Bugle Corp and if that was important to his children, it was important to Al.  Without a musical ability, he assisted by driving the corp school bus to practices and competitions.  He even parked it alongside his home.  Some competitions and exhibitions were local and some were throughout New England and Canada.  On July 4th every year the day would start with a parade at 9am usually in Chelmsford then onto Burlington at 1:00 followed by a 6:00 parade that evening. The corp participated in Memorial and Veteran’s Day parades in Bedford playing taps and flag salutes to American Veteran’s. Usually followed by a BBQ and pool party at Verrier’s back yard. 

He was a member of the American Legion Post 221 in Bedford and his wife, Marie, was an officer in their Ladies Auxiliary. The Burlington Knights of Columbus in Burlington was a very important part of Al’s life.  He was a member of the Third and Fourth Degree of the K of C. There was hardly a position that he did not serve including being a member of the Bingo Committee, Exceptional Children’s Committee, Tootsie Roll Committee, Golf Tournament Committee, Degree Team, all the chairs from Outside Guard to Grand Knight and the Board of Directors.  He organized socials which included his friends from Bermuda, “The Bermuda Strollers”.  He was recognized for all his involvement with the most prestigious award of being named “Knight of the Year” in 2002.  He was an avid golfer and often had Fr. John Crispo as his teammate in golf tournaments.  He also played in an over 50 softball league where he played catcher and first base while snow-birding at Citrus Park in Bonita Springs. 

Al was a man devoted to his family.  He married his wife Marie on June 9, 1957.  They raised their children together, enjoyed traveling to Bermuda, the Seacrest on Cape Cod, New Orleans, Florida, Alaska, and loved spending the winters in Bonita Springs, FL.  As a father, he was a wonderful role model; “Be involved, do your share, and be good citizens”.  Summers were spent camping at Pine Acres in Raymond, NH and Wyman’s Beach in Westford.  He was proud of all their achievements and appreciated their support in his later years.  He was a proud grandfather to his eight grandchildren.  He did special things like taking them to Hanscom Airport to watch the planes take off and loved hosting them when they visited Bonita Springs which they called “Poppie’s World”.  He also had numerous circles of friends here in Massachusetts and in Florida.  Al lived a life worth emulating.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and someone who made a difference in everything he was involved in.

Al was the beloved husband of the late Marie (Murray). Loving father of Theresa Romkey & her husband Barry of Burlington, Joyce Monsignore & her husband Scott of Burlington, Jacquie Amato & her husband Vincent Jr. of Billerica, and Alfred Verrier Jr. & his wife Sandra of Burlington. Brother of the late Paul Verrier, Rita Daley, Adrienne Kelleher, and Annette Falcone.  Proud grandfather of Brianne (Romkey) Pisani & her husband Eric, Brett Romkey, James & Jason Monsignore, Anthony & Nicole Amato, Matthew & Nathan Verrier.  He also leaves his companion, Joan Mavor of Bonita Springs, FL.  

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Friday, November 3 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Saturday, November 4 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.

Memorials in Al’s name may be made to the Alfred Verrier Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o the Superintendent’s Office, 100 Cook St., Billerica, MA 01821.  Please note that your donation is for the Alfred Verrier Memorial Scholarship Fund.