Alfred J Plourde

Alfred John "Pete" Plourde, 94, of Seffner, Florida, passed away on June 6, 2025. Born on October 22, 1930, in Stockholm, Maine, to Florent and Leontine (Clara) Plourde, Pete was the eighth of ten surviving children: sisters Candide, Queenie, Orilla, Velma, Mildred, and Theressa, and brothers Allen, Gregory and Donald.

Pete attended local schools and worked on the family potato farm until 1951 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 20. He trained at Samson AFB (New York) and Shepard AFB (Texas) specializing in aircraft maintenance. His distinguished career spanned multiple bases and roles including working on B-29's and B-47's at MacDill AFB (Florida), a three-month nuclear readiness exercise in French Morocco, maintaining B-47's and B-52's at Mildenhall AFB (England), and keeping B-52's armed and airborne during the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis as a Technical Sergeant at Loring AFB (Maine). He transferred to Homestead AFB (Florida) in 1963 and rose to Senior Master Sergeant, then Chief Master Sergeant, where he managed B-52 and later F-4 maintenance. Pete served in Cameron Bay (Vietnam) in 1967 and had TDY assignments in Myrtle Beach (SC), Panama, and Puerto Rico, visiting every continent except Antarctica. Highly decorated, his awards included the Bronze Star Medal with one bronze star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, and four Air Force Service Medals. He retired in March 1972 and settled in Tampa.

At MacDill, Pete met Henri Pollman at a USO dance, marrying her on February 14, 1953 at Sacred Heart Church in Tampa. They welcomed sons, John (1953), Gordon (Steven) (1955), Peter (1956), and Bruce (1957); daughter, Joy (1960); son, Chad (1962); daughters, Angela (1965), Mary Sue (1966), and Rose Anne (1968).

Post military, Pete worked 20 years as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1992. Active at Incarnation Parish, he served as an usher, Eucharistic Minister, and education committee chairman. In 1994, he moved to Seffner, supporting the San Jose Mission and St. Francis of Assisi food pantries.

As a devout Catholic throughout his life, Pete left each member of his family and all who knew him with an indelible example for living a life of devotion to God, and compassion for others.

He is survived by his loving wife, Henri; sons, Gordon (Steven), Peter, Bruce, and Chad; daughters, Joy, Mary Sue, and Rose Anne; brother, Gregory; sons-in-law, Bill Stephen, Layne Williams, Alphi Alfonso, and Robert Kosky; daughters-in-law, Jeannine, Barbara, and Jackie; 34 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Florent and Leontine; siblings, Candide, Queenie, Orilla, Velma, Mildred, Theressa, Allen, and Donald; son, John; daughter, Angela; and daughter-in-law, Micki.

Pete's life of devotion to God, family and service will be forever cherished. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Pete on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi, 4450 Country Road 579, Seffner, Florida. Visitation will start at 9am, the rosary will be recited at 10am, Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am, a reception from 11:30-2pm and a committal service at 2:30pm in Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 E Lake Avenue, Tampa.