Alfred C. D'Alessandro

Alfred C. D’Alessandro, 90, of Marblehead, MA died February 27, 2018 after a long illness. Born in Cambridge, MA, he was the only child of Alfred D’Alessandro and Margaret Clarke D’Alessandro. He grew up in Belmont and graduated from Harvard College in 1949 followed by graduate studies in marketing at American University. He served in both World War II in the Army and the Korean War in Naval intelligence. He remained in the Naval Reserve until 1973.

He began his business career in retail management, working for The Hecht Company, Jordan Marsh, Webbers and Almy, Bigelow & Washburn. From 1961-1971 he worked as Vice President and Director of the Seiler Corporation in Boston, a catering and food manufacturer. Intrigued by a new technique of simultaneously molding and filling plastic bottles, he founded Aid- Pack, Inc. in 1971, running it for 19 years before taking it public. For his endeavors, he was awarded the Massachusetts Small Business Man of the Year (1985), elected as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business (1986), designated a Director of Small Business Association of New England, appointed to small business task forces for Congressman Mavroules and Governor Dukakis. Never one to retire, Al and his wife, Joanne, took over Hestia Creations in Marblehead 2005.

Al’s other major life long passion was sailing. He particularly enjoyed off-shore racing, covering over 150,000 off-shore miles including multiple Newport to Bermuda and Marblehead to Halifax Races. He was an active member of the Boston Yacht Club for 50 years.

A lively, decisive and energetic man, Al also enjoyed live music, swimming, football, which he played in college, and animals. His exacting nature made him adept at restoring old houses and working on his own boats. His life experiences gave him unexpected culinary talents in both the kitchen and the galley.

Alfred is survived by his wife, Joanne, daughters, Lisa D’Alessandro and her husband Michael Hirsch of San Francisco and Liane Davis and her husband Paul of Marblehead, as well as grandchildren Hannah and Thomas Davis.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sailing Heals at sailingheals.org A celebration of Al’s life will take place on April 21 from 2-4 at the Boston Yacht Club, 1 Front Street, Marblehead. Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead.