Alfred Merola, a World War II US Army veteran, a chemist for the US Army Natick Labs, father and grandfather, and a resident of Needham for over 40 years died on Saturday November 1, 2003. He was 86 years old. Alfred was born in Everett in 1917. The son of Charles and Josephine Merola. His father and mother were born in Bonito Italy. His father Charles came to Boston through Ellis Island around 1896. Alfred grew up in Everett with four sisters and three brothers. He was inducted in to the Army in February 1941 and was discharged in July of 1945. He served as a sergeant with the 16th Army Medical Regiment in England, the African invasion and also the Italian campaign, landing in Salerno Italy in 1942. It was in Florence Italy in 1944 where Al met his future wife, Giovanna Bruguier. Giovanna, a Florence native, was a young college student in Florence, and working part time for Salvatore Ferragamo, the famous Italian shoe designer. Salvatore, like Al’s dad, was born and raised in Bonito and was a close friend of the Merolas. After the Allies took Florence, Alfred and a few GI’s drove to the hills of Florence to find and visit the Ferragamo villa located in the picturesque Tuscan town of Fiesole. Salvatore was hiding in the mountains from the Nazis; however let Giovanna and her family manage and watch over his property. In 1946 Al and Giovanna were wed in Florence Italy and spent their first married year in Florence. In 1947 Alfred moved to Laurel Maryland, attended Georgetown University, and started a chemical supply company with his brother in law Ralph Tagliatella. Soon after he returned to Everett to recover from stomach problems from injuries that occurred during his services in the Army. On his return to Everett, Alfred juggled a full time job at the post office, several part time jobs, while he studied chemistry at the Franklin Institute and attended evening courses at Harvard, Boston University and MIT. In 1953 Alfred graduated from Suffolk University with a BS degree in Chemistry. After graduating, he was hired as a chemist by Mr. Boston Distillery. Soon after he transferred to the US Army Natick Labs where he was employed as a chemist in the field of colorimetry. He was one of the original chemists who employed the use of computers to predict and measure colors in fabrics. Some of Alfred’s research in fabrics led to the design of special uniforms for the military. The color and fabric design allowed for better camouflaging in daylight and darkness. Some of these techniques include the ability to disguise a soldier from enemy rifle high powered scopes. Additional material fiber research led to the design of the Apollo astronaut’s “life-line” for leaving the space capsule. In 1958 Alfred purchased a home in Needham and was a resident in Needham with his wife Giovanna ever since. After their retirement Alfred and Giovanna spent time in Italy, traveled extensively, and spent summers at their cottage in Chatham Cape Cod. Alfred leaves his wife Giovanna, His son Steven of Needham his daughter Paula of Dunedin Florida and youngest son Philip of Manchester MA. Alfred was the grandfather of Chris and Michael. He also leaves his sisters Jean Tagliatella of Laurel Maryland and Josephine Delcore of Melrose MA. Funeral from the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Avenue Needham on Wednesday November 5 at 9:00 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Joseph Church at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours on Tuesday from 4-7 PM. . Interment at Massachusetts National Cemetery Bourne.