Obituary of Albert Lawrence Alpaugh

Albert Lawrence Alpaugh, 93, a World War II veteran, passed away on Monday June 24th 2019 at the Royal Oaks Nursing & Rehab Facility in Titusville Fl. He was born at home to Lena & Robert Alpaugh on March 29th 1926 of Long Valley, New Jersey. An only child, Al grew up in Fairmount, NJ and graduated from Hackettstown High School and after first trying to enlist in the United States Navy just prior to graduation, he was then drafted into the Navy weeks after he graduated. After the war, Al was honorably discharged and returned to NJ where he met his future wife of almost 70 years, Elizabeth Helen Pierce on Oct 10 1947, where at a community Square Dance he asked her to dance for the first time. Al & Betty were soon engaged and were married at Fairmount Presbyterian Church on Sept 10th 1949. On January 8th 1951 they welcomed their first child, Lawrence Howard Alpaugh, following Larry, Judy Pierce Kiser was born on August 13th 1957. Following Judy, James Robert Alpaugh was born on July 20th 1965. Jim was the third and final child of the couple. In 1948 Al joined neighbors to start the beginnings of a new volunteer Fire Department that was much needed in Fairmount. In June of 1949 construction and fundraising was complete and the all-volunteer Fairmount Fire Company was opened. They purchased their first truck and it went into service. Being one of the founding members, Al was elected Chief of the department soon after. His wife Betty served as the first Lady’s Auxiliary President. Together with the other members, they built a great corner stone of the community. People gathered there for fund raisers like summertime carnivals and pancake breakfasts. They volunteered endless hours over the years to make the Fire Company the success it is today. The department still has the original truck Al drove and the original building he helped construct, is still in use today. Al was an active member of the fire company until 1974 when he moved to Florida and was the last living founding member. Over the years Al held various jobs working as a carpenter and in an Explosives Manufacturing Plant, before purchasing a “road side stand” as they were called in those days. Al & Betty were the Proprietors of Al’s Lakeland Queen, a highway stop along RT 206 in Cranberry Lake, NJ. A favorite stop for commuters and truckers in the late 50’s and early 60’s, the two dished out hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and good old fashion root beer floats. They were well known for their smiles, friendly service, and very long hours the couple had to put in to keep a business like that running. After years of owning a business and trying to maintain a family life, the couple decided to sell the stand and seek out a normal 9 to 5 job so they could spend more time with their young family. They built their first house on 3 acres in Fairmount. Al then settled into an Insurance Job with Chubb & Son in short Hills, his wife Betty also entered the insurance world. In the early 70’s the couple vacationed in Florida on the Space Coast. After visiting the area several times, and having been preceded by several family members relocating there, they purchased a home in Port St John in 1974 and have lived there ever since. Al & Betty wanted to enjoy the good life of Florida more and less stress of the corporate life. He picked up fishing in the Indian River and was a frequent fan of the old Melbourne Speedway, where he and the family met and cheered all the local drivers. He also loved going to see the Cocoa Astros farm team. Al found work with the Brevard County School Board where he worked as a custodian at Edgewood Jr. High in Merritt Island. He stayed there until his official retirement. After retiring, Al wanted a little something more to fill some of his days, and with encouragement from a family member, he and Betty purchased a small Mini Donuts and Coffee Stand located in the busy Frontenac Flea Market just south of Port St John. That’s where the couple went back to their roots serving up tasty powdered sugar mini donuts, hot coffee, and cold drinks with that old fashioned great service and smiles that served them well in the past. Al became known as the “Donut King”. That was a great job for him especially because it kept him busy and still had time to enjoy the family and some down time along the way. Al & Betty enjoyed the Flea Market life so much that they sold the donut shop to a family friend and set out to travel more. As they did that, they would go to local auctions and clearance sales buying items to bring back to a table they set up to sell those items at the Flea Market. This worked great, they traveled, met new people, and made a little jingle along the way. They kept that life up until Al was really ready to fully retire. During his remaining years Al, enjoyed watching baseball, working outside and loved going to car shows with his Original 1929 Model A (which is pictured here). When car shows were too far to drive the old Model A to, he joined his son Jim and his fiancée Sara, along with Betty taking Jim’s 1959 Cadillac to shows for years. Al seemed most happiest at a great car show. He would talk about the Model A and Caddy to whoever showed interest in the cars. He became a fixture at these events so much so that many people knew his name and his background. People would seek him out just to talk to him, get a hug, see his smile and see how he was doing. Those people became like family and will also miss this great man, a quiet man, with a huge smile that was so contagious. His Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Port St. John Methodist Church, 1165 Fay Boulevard, Port St. John. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in his honor to Hospice of St. Francis or American Legion Post 1. We miss you Al, but we know you have found the peace you were looking for.