WESTFIELD – Alfred R. Rios died Sunday, February 22, 2014. He was born December 3, 1925, the son of Alfred and Luzdivinia (Menendez) Rios of Westfield, MA. Educated in the Westfield Public Schools, he graduated from Westfield High School in 1944. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a signalman aboard LST -751 in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Returning to Westfield. he joined his father in the carpentry trade building and renovating houses.In 1958, Alfred began his teaching career at Westfield Trade High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1963 and a masters degree in Education in 1965 from Westfield State College. He served as Director of Vocational Education for the City of Chicopee and Chicopee Comprehensive High School from 1966-1971. He left Chicopee to become Director of the Evaluation Service Center for Occupational Education at the University of Massachusetts and earned a doctoral degree in Educational Research in 1974.
His next position was Director of Career Education at Westfield High School. Completing full circle, he returned to Westfield Vocational High School as Director in 1984 and retired in 1990. He wrote a history book titled: “Ninety Years of Vocational Education: 1911-2001-Westfield Massachusetts”. The income from the book was used to establish a scholarship at WVTHS. He was a member of the Massachusetts and National Education Association, American Legion Post 124, charter member of the W W 11 Memorial in Washington, D.C., Dante Club in West Springfield, and the Italian Fraternal Club of Westfield. He was active in community affairs supervising youth programs at the YMCA, promoting performing arts in the Westfield Schools, on the advisory board on the Fine Arts Center at U Mass and was a founding member of the Westfield Arts Council. He enjoyed golfing, bocce, and spending time with his extended family. The family would like to express their gratitude for the care and compassion that was given to Al at the Atrium in Agawam.
He was predeceased by his wife, Marion (Williams) in 1982; his brother, Delfin Rios in 1993 and his sister, Aurora (Rios) Calvert in 1997. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha (Stone) Stadnicki Rios whom he married in 1985; his daughters, Torry Sullivan and husband Robert of Springfield, Nova Scotia, Canada, Randy Mattson and husband Lee of Center Harbor, NH, Gwendolyn Atkinson of Toronto, Ontario,Canada; a son, Lester of MA; step children, John Stadnicki and wife Beth of Southwick, MA and Susan Gustafson of North Dighton, MA. He leaves eight grandchildren, Amy Sullivan, Robert Sullivan, Sarah Dustin, Anna Kilmer, Joseph Mattson, Gloria Atkinson, Meagan Gustafson, and Marissa Gustafson. He also leaves six great-grandchildren, Mark, Heidi, Eli, Adam, Mabel, and Harley. He is also survived by a niece, Wendy (Calvert) Williams and husband Steven of Oxford, PA. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Funeral and burial services will be private. Alfred has requested that any contributions be made to the Alfred R. Rios Memorial Scholarship and mailed WVTHS, 33 Smith Avenue, Westfield, MA 01085. The Westfield Vocational Technical High School Scholarship will be awarded to a carpentry student.
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