Air Force veteran
Published in the August 10, 2017 edition
NORTH READING – Alton L. Bailey, Jr. (Al), 82 of North Reading, and Largo, FL passed away on August 4, 2017. Al devoted his life to his wife Sally, who passed away just 21 days before him on July 15, 2017. Together, for 61 years, they raised their pride and joy, Susan, Alton and Kimberly. Al is father-in-law to Bruce Hodsdon, Doreen Bailey and Bill Warnock. He is also “Papa” to his seven grandchildren, Heather Hodsdon- Wood, Brandon Hodsdon, Amanda and Felicia Bailey, Ryan, Reid and Ryley Warnock and great- grandson Wesley Wood and instilled in them by his example, the values of family, friends and a strong work ethic.
Al was born on August 2, 1935 in Everett, MA, an only child to Alton Sr. and Ethel Bailey. He graduated from Malden High School in 1953 and then joined the Air Force in 1954. He received the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Medal. Al met and fell in love at first sight with Sally and they married in 1955 and lived in Charleston, SC until Al’s honorable discharge in 1959. They moved to North Reading where he began a 30 year long career as Production Manager for Precision Metal Products. Together they enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, square dancing, doing the twist, travelling the world with their good friends, Terry and Joe Ramaci and spending many summers up at Lake Attitash in Merrimac, MA.
They became snowbirds to Largo, FL, in 2004 where Al could build and fly model airplanes, garden and sit on his porch or back deck with his newspaper year round. He loved spending time with his children, grand-children and great-grandson.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Alton and Sally at the Hillview Country Club in North Reading on August 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. We welcome all of our dear family, friends and neighbors to share your memories with us.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Veterans Association or donations of blood or platelets may be made through The Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston or a similar organization of your choice.
