Published in the March 15, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Albert D. “Albie” Sarafian, 63, of Wakefield, a retired Wakefield police officer died on Saturday, March 12, at the Glen Ridge Nursing Care Center in Medford surrounded by his family.
Mr. Sarafian was born in Melrose on Nov. 27, 1952 and was the son of the late Albert D. and Barbara M. (Kenney) Beech.
He had been a Wakefield resident for the past 51 years. Albie was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Class of 1972 and Curry College. He had retired from the Wakefield Police Department in 2009, after 29 years of service. Mr. Sarafian was a member of the Massachusetts Police Association and had served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He also was devoted to his community. He contributed many hours to charity work, which included the Jimmy Fund and Toys for Tots. He received an award from the State Police for the most toys collected in the state of Massachusetts.
He is survived by his wife Joanne M. (Watson) Sarafian; his two sons: Lawrence A. Sarafian and his wife Michelle and Albert D. Sarafian Jr. all of Wakefield; his two grandchildren: Ella and Benjamin Sarafian; his two brothers: Edward Sarafian and his wife Rita of Methuen and Steven Sarafian of Florida; his three sisters: Judith Sarafian and her partner Tracy Gardner of Methuen, Jean Gullage and her husband Joseph of Wakefield and Ellen Ciavarro-Meile and her husband Steve of Lynnfield; his uncle Richard Horgan and his late wife Virginia of Everett; his two brothers-in-law Lawrence Watson and his wife Barbara, formerly of Methuen, and Robert Watson of Wakefield; his three sisters-in-law: Kathleen Watson and her husband Kevin Plunkett of Walpole, Mary Calvert and her husband Ian of Wakefield and Joyce Watson of Reading. Mr. Sarafian is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law William Watson.
His funeral will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield at 11 a.m.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m.
Interment will be at Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield.
