Alfred J D'Elia

Alfred D'Elia, 65, of Meiers Corners, a retired truck driver, Vietnam veteran and family man who was always willing to lend a helping hand, died Wednesday in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he graduated from Midwood High School in his native borough.

He and Maryann Greco wed in 1972 and moved to Bulls Head. They settled in Meiers Corners in 1988.

Mr. D'Elia served in the U.S. Army and saw duty in the Vietnam War. He was a member of North Shore Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.

He was a driver for F & B Provisions, delivering Boar's Head products on the Island for 40 years until retiring in 2014.

Mr. D'Elia enjoyed watching sports and rooted for the New York Yankees, Rangers and football Giants. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball and hunting. But his passion was playing golf with his friends at LaTourette golf course.

He loved being with his family and treasured time with his granddaughter.

Mr. D'Elia will be remembered for making others laugh, his keen sense of humor and beautiful smile, family said.

He was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton.

Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Maryann; his sons, Christopher and Anthony; his sisters, Barbara Sherman, Carol Donohue and Anne D'Elia, and his granddaughter.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.