Donald W. "Pop" Alfree Sr., 78

BLACKBIRD - Donald W. "Pop" Alfree Sr. of Blackbird passed away Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, at home surrounded by his family. He was 78.

Donald was born Sept. 12, 1928, the son of Alexander and Alice (Jones) Alfree.

Donald spent much of his childhood with his Aunt Rhoda and Uncle Roy Jones, growing up on Pop Jones" farm near Golts, Md.

As a boy, he commuted back and forth between Blackbird and Golts on his bicycle.

He cherished the land on which he lived in Blackbird and was a true believer in preserving Delaware farmland.

Donald was an avid sports fan and was especially fond of WWE/WWF wrestling and PGA golf.

He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Before his illness, Donald loved to tinker on things and was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors.

Although he was known for his rough mannerism, Donald had a huge heart.

He would do anything to help out his children and grandchildren.

He could often be seen riding his John Deere lawn mower around home and at his neighboring children"s homes. He loved to mow the lawn.

Donald worked for Flying A Gas Station at H&H Corner in Townsend, TransWorld Airlines in New Castle, The Delaware State Highway Department, The Tank Plant in Newark, and Chrysler Corp. at the Newark assembly plant as a door/hood fitter for 37 years, retiring in 1990 and was a proud member of the UAW Local 1183 during his employment.

He never took a vacation and rarely missed a day from work. It didn"t matter how deep the snow fell during a winter storm, he always made it to his job.

Donald was very proud of his many years of hard work and instilled that into his children.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mabel (McClain) Alfree, who passed away Jan. 16, 2006.

He is survived by his five children, Donald Alfree Jr. and wife, Bonnie of Townsend, Larry W. Alfree of Blackbird, Diane L. Alphin and husband, Jay of Blackbird, Debbie S. Emerson, and husband, Jimmy of Middletown, and Donna L. Alfree and companion, William Stackhouse of Blackbird; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, LeRoy Alfree and wife, Edna of Blackbird; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 North Broad St., Middletown.

A visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Interment will be in the Townsend Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Blackbird Community Center c/o Joe Mannering, 144 Blackbird Forest Rd., Townsend, DE 19734; or the American Lung Association.