WESTFIELD – Albert V. Midgley, 88, of Westfield died peacefully on November 11, 2014 at the Holyoke Soldiers Home surrounded by his family. He was born in North Attleboro, MA on February 25th 1926 to Fred and Edith (Holtham) Midgley. Al was a graduate of Westfield High School. He was a WWII US Naval Veteran, serving as a signalman first class in the European theater. Al received the American Theater Medal with 1 star and the European African Medal. After the Navy, Al served with the National Guard’s 104 th division retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. Al retired in 1985 as purchasing agent at Westfield State College. He served on the Westfield School Committee, and as ward four and at large councilman and as secretary to former mayor Harold Martin. He leaves is loving wife of fourteen years, Gail O’Connor Midgley, his daughters, Carolyn Knisely of Hilton Head S.C. and Cathy Langlois and her husband Chris of Westfield. Al also leaves his step children, Mary Beth O’Connor Plemmons of Milton, GA, Timothy O’Connor and his wife Terri, and Tom O’Connor and his wife Beth all of Westfield. He also leaves his grandchildren, Christie, John and Tim Langlois and Holly and Jacob O’Connor and Ashley and Erin O’Connor, nephews Owen Midgley and his wife Kelly of RI and Frederick Midgley of NY. Al also leaves his former wives, Barbara Ross and Jean Midgley both of Westfield, and his golf partner, James Dowd. Al was predeceased by a brother Frederick Midgley, a sister Myrtle Fristik and a step son Patrick O’Connor. The Funeral will be Monday, November 17, 2014 at The Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 36 Court St. Westfield at 11:15 AM. Burial in the Mass Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam will be private. Calling hours will be Sunday from 2-5 PM at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St. Westfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s memory may be made to the VA Medical Center-Northampton, 421 N. Main St. Leeds, MA 01053 or the Holyoke Soldiers Home Activity Fund, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040, firtionadams.com.
