Albert T. Estes Jr.

Albert T. Estes, Jr., age 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 surrounded by his family at his home in Swansea. He was the husband of the late Doris A. (Swales) Estes to whom he was married 54 years before her passing in 2011.

Al was born in Fall River, MA and was a longtime resident of the town of Swansea. He was the son of the late Albert T. Sr. and Corrine (LaFrance) Estes.

Al was a proud graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, class of 1951 and attended Dean Academy, in Franklin, MA in 1952. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from UMASS Amherst and a Masters of Education from Northeastern University. Al was inducted into both the Durfee High School and Somerset High School Athletic Halls of Fame. He was also a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict.

Al began his career in education teaching Mathematics, Science and Physical Education in Cheshire and Rehoboth, MA. He then spent the next 30 years proudly working for the Somerset School Department as a Physical Education teacher, Supervisor of Physical Education, Athletic Director and Coach, finally retiring in 1995.

Although he was professionally rooted in Somerset, Al was proud to be a member of the community in Swansea and worked hard to establish new programs and create opportunities for the town’s youth. Al was on the Planning Board, was an instrumental figure in the creation of the Park’s Department and was a coach for the Swansea Little League for 20 years, helping to bring home two state championships. He worked hard to leave his imprint on the town, and through these efforts, his legacy will continue to live on.

Al was a passionate man; He loved sports, loved his job but above all else, loved his family. To them, he was the keeper of the salt shaker, head of the table at every meal, made the best homemade curly fries and chourico & peppers, and carved the turkey at each Thanksgiving with absolute pride. He hosted the best egg hunts, was the family Mr. Fix-It, and the greatest storyteller that ever lived. No matter what kind of trouble he was stirring up, if he was with his family, he was a happy man. Whether you knew him as the mayor of Chog City, Mr. Estes, Coach, Al, Dad, or Poppy there is no doubt that your life was forever changed simply by knowing him.

Al is survived by his son Christopher V. Estes and two daughters, Donna L. Dumican and her husband Thomas, and Ellen A. Fields and her husband Bill. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Lee Estes, his brother-in-law Bud Swales and his wife Dot, his daughter-in-law, Maureen Estes Flanagan. and his ten grandchildren, Jennie Botelho, Amanda Dumican, Ryan Estes, Katie Grillo, Zachary Dumican, Kristen Bisard, Andrew Estes, Christopher Estes, Jeremy Wood and Bryan Wood. Al was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Al was the father of the late Albert T. “Tom” Estes, III.

His Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 10:00AM in St. Thomas More Church, 386 Luther Ave., Somerset. Due to current restrictions on public gatherings, please RSVP to Katie Grillo [email protected] by August 31, 2020 in order to accommodate all guests and adhere to the current capacity limit of the church. Contributions in his honor may be made to the Tom Estes Memorial Scholarship Fund, Joseph Case High School, P.O. Box 33, Swansea, MA 02777. Burial private. To leave a note of condolence, www.waring-sullivan.com.