Alfred E. Pill

Alfred passed away quietly of natural causes at the tender age of 90 in the presence of his adored family. He was predeceased by Lois, his loving wife of nearly 65 years, in March of 2020. Alfred was the devoted son of Ralph and Freda (Rommer) Pill, brother of Robert and Arlene, now deceased and is survived by his sons, Jeffrey and David, their spouses Linda and Hillary, grandchildren Jake, Liza and Hannah and 27 known great grandchildren.

As a child, Alfred lived and was raised in the Mattapan section of Boston and educated in the Boston Public School System, later entering the venerable Huntington School for Boys where he famously claimed to have received the “education of a lifetime”. Subsequently, he went on to matriculate at Dartmouth College, Class of 1955 and then the Amos Tuck School of Business, Class of 1956, graduating with honors.

Shortly after his marriage to Lois, Alfred was conscripted into the military where he served as an “office grunt” for two years; peace-time service for his country that he regarded as a privilege. He entered the family business founded by his father, Ralph in 1958 and became the CEO while still in his twenties; was considered an industry icon and received recognition for the many innovations introduced over the years under his leadership. The company flourished and was acquired by a division of Sonepar SA in 2007. He later managed the family’s commercial real estate portfolio.

Alfred was an avid reader, a prolific writer of essays, historical fiction, short stories and industry magazine articles; an accomplished sailor, humorist and advisor to many. He often repeated the mantra, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Just as with his dearest Lois, once again we are reminded of “Burnt Pearls” by Yiddish poet and holocaust survivor Abraham Sutzkever, in which he wrote:

“If you die

I shall remain

As the pit of the plum

Contains in itself

The tree, the nest and the bird and all else”

….. and thus, Alfred lived to honor the legacy of his parents, Ralph and Freda and the memory of his beloved wife, Lois who was his source of strength throughout their marriage and beyond. His undying kindness, sympathy and generosity are of consolation to all who knew and loved him.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 24 at 1:00pm in the Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon. Shiva will follow from 4:00-7:00pm in the Clubhouse at Ledgebrook, 261 Nahanton Street, Newton.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, www.bidmc.org/giving