Albert F. Ayres

Albert F. Ayres, a resident of Stamford for more than fifty-nine years, entered into eternal rest surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at the Richard Rosenthal Hospice Center in Stamford. Born and raised in Greenwich, he was the son of the late Albert F. Ayres and Brigid Cunningham Ayres. A veteran of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force where he served in the China-Burma-India theatre of operations with the 1305th U.S. Army Air Force Base Unit. He graduated from Greenwich High School and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Iona College. Al spent his career in the soft drink industry having first worked for Coca Cola, then became secretary and treasurer of the Canada Dry Bottling Company of Stamford and retired as a senior financial analyst from the Pepsi Cola division of PepsiCo. He enjoyed gardening, reading, and traveling abroad with his wife, and especially enjoyed attending the many activities of his grandchildren who are involved in sports and artistic programs. A member of the Senior Men's Club, Al volunteered his services at St. Leo Church and was a member of the National Association of Accountants. He was also a member of St. Leo's Seniors Living Socially organization. He was recently honored by being selected to attend the American Warrior "Day of Honor" in Washington, D.C., along with 102 WWII veterans, thanking the men for their service to our country during the war.He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Patricia Isabel (Murphy) Ayres of Stamford, their three children, Melissa Elias and her husband John, of Madison, New Jersey; Pamela Vieser and her husband Walter, of Columbia, Maryland; and Stephanie Dumas and her husband Jeffrey, of Easton, Connecticut; and eight grandchildren, Christopher Elias, Rebecca Elias, Catherine Elias, Megan Collins, Jessica Vieser, Brittney Dumas, Leah Kate Dumas, Kyleigh Dumas; and three step grandchildren, Lindsay, Kirsten, and Bryan Vieser. The family would like to express its appreciation to Dr. Neil C. Klein for his support and friendship. He was predeceased by his sisters Anne Ayres Pennella (John) and Mary Ayres Boyer (Paul). Calling hours will be held Sunday, January 9, 2011 from 3 to 7 pm at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 10, 2011 at 10:00am at St. Leo Church, 24 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien.