NATICK: Alfred W. “Red” Bellofatto, of Kingston, a decorated veteran of the Second World War, died peacefully on Thursday, February 11, 2016, just 10 minutes shy of his 97th birthday. He had been the devoted husband of Virginia A. (Perodeau) Bellofatto for 32 years.
Born, raised and educated in Natick, he was a son of the late Joseph and Marianna (Warren) Bellofatto. Al worked as a tree surgeon prior to enlisting in the Army in 1940. During World War II, he served with the 361st Infantry Regiment, 91st div. After several years as a rifleman in the European, African, Middle Eastern Theatre, Al was wounded in October of 1944 while at the Battle of Rome-Arno. Thus, he was to spend the last three of his seven years’ service as a patient at Walter Reed Hospital. Of his many awards and citations are the Purple Heart and the Victory Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.
Al returned to Natick and was employed from 1953 through ’65 with the Commonwealth of MA Forestry Division as a Conservation Helper. He then worked in a custodial capacity at Saint Patrick Cemetery in Natick. A man who enjoyed life, Al was faithful to family and friends and was a great hockey fan. His true passion was buying new cars and going on long drives.
Predeceased by wife Mary and son Alfred, Jr, he is survived by his wife Virginia, two grandsons, Roy of CO, and Tony and his wife Ali of VT; three great-grandchildren, Zachary, Grace and Nicholas; and many nieces and nephews. He was also a brother of the late Edwin, Alden, Donald, Dorothy, Ruth Fisher, Myrtle, and Pauline.
His funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, Saturday, February 20th at 10AM with a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick at 11:00AM. Burial will be private.