1934 - 2015
Visitation
September 22, 20154:00PM-8:00PM
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
September 23, 201511:00AM
Dolan Funeral Home
Alfred “Al” J. Garside, 81, of Westford, died Friday, September 18, 2015, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Westford. He was married to the late Betty J. Garside, who died on April 5, 1984.
Born in Lowell, June 24,1934, he was the son of the late Johnand Gertrude (Berger) Garside. He received his education in the Lowell school system then attended the trade school for carpentry.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.
He began working at Fletcher’s Quarry in Westford in 1951, during the worker’s strike in the late 50’s he left and went to Barretto Granite in Milford, NH. For many years, Al owned and operated Garside Monuments/Granite of Westford, until he passed the torch to his grandson, John Thomas Smith “J.T.”, who proudly continues to operate the business today.
Al loved spending time with his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren at his farm house in Parsonsfield, ME. One of his favorite things to do in the fall was attend the Fryeburg fair in Fryeburg, ME.
He is survived by two daughters, Lauri (Garside) Maloney and her husband Dennis of Townsend, and Shari (Garside) Smith of Pepperell. Five grandchildren, John Thomas “J.T.” Smith III and his wife Victoria of Westford, Katrina Smith and her husband David Allen of Pepperell, Nicole Smith of Pepperell, and Thomas Maloney and Adam Maloney, both of Townsend; three great-grandchildren, Kalli and Kendall Allen of Pepperell and Paige Smith of Westford. His long-time companion, Elizabeth Bumford, of Sanbornville, NH. A son-in-law, John T. Smith Jr. Four brothers, Carl Garside and his wife Lillian of Westford, Edward Garside and his wife Josephine of Pepperell, John Garside and his wife Doris of Londonderry, NH, and Robert Garside and his wife Myrtle of Westford, and two sisters, Gertrude Patenaude of Portsmouth RI, and Linda Muller and her husband Michael of South Reading, VT. A sister-in-law, Beverly Garside of Westford. He was predeceased by four brothers and three sisters, Walter Garside, who died in WWII, Andrew Garside, Charles Garside, Ralph Garside, Eleanor Garside, Doris Phelps and Lillian Oganowski.
The family would like to thank Ascend Hospice and Guardian Angels from the VA, especially Pam, Laura and Ava, for their wonderful care. A special thanks to all our family and friends who have helped take care of Al through this journey.
Visiting hours Tues. 4 to 8 P.M. Funeral Wed. at 11A.M. at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD. Burial in the Fairview Cemetery, Westford. Memorials may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.
Diane McLaughlin Monahan
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Shari and Lauri, I am so sorry about your Dad! I know that he loved you two so much and your families. We will all miss him. He has now joined your Mom and are watching over you. God Bless you both and my prayers are sent to you and your families. Love you both. Diane
Heather Thomas Taylor
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Shari, Lauri and family, Uncle Al was a wonderful man with a great spirit. I will miss him. My heart is with you during this time. Love Always Heather
Barbara Gerardi
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Shari,
I was so sad to hear about your dad. It was always so nice to bump into him and have a laugh. My prayers are with you and your family.
Christine (Garside) Shaw
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Shari and Laurie,
Words cannot express my deep sorry for the loss of your dad. Uncle Al always made people laugh and I will always remember him trying to get me to lean in so he could tell me a secret and then he’d plant a kiss on my cheek. He even did it at Uncle Mickey’s wake. He and Uncle Mickey used to wake us up with their horsing around most Saturday mornings when they came to visit Grammy. The world is a little more somber without him in it. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if there’s anything I can do.
Christine
margie dearborn
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al was so nice to me when i had to pick out my husband’s head stone a very gentle man .
Darlene Doucot (Dearth)
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Our family is so sorry to hear about your Dad! Our deepest sympathies! Clayton & Beverly Dearth and Darlene (Dearth) Doucot.
wes raye
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I learned of Al’s passing this morning. He was a new friend over the past couple of years. It started when he stopped by my home to introduce himself and by doing so suggested that perhaps my health was failing and that I needed his service by providing me with a gravestone. When I asked if he had a layaway program he quickly told me that because i looked so frail I needed to pay up front….no credit could be extended. I knew I liked him from the start and I’m deeply saddened by his passing. In the short time I knew him he shared REPEATEDLY his love for his family and his love for hard work. What a wonderful life!!!!!
Jan and Silvio Morano
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Al was a dear friend to my parents Norman and Aksenia for many years. After their passing, he shared that friendship with my husband and me. I am grateful for the time we spent together. He was a link to my parents, often sharing stories of their experiences together. He would stop by on a Sunday afternoon or just call to say hello. And yes he did sell us a headstone. I am sorry to hear of his passing. I will miss his visits and our dinners together at the Glenview. My husband and I extend our sympathies to the extended Garside family. Jan and Silvio
Sue Larkin
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Shari, another stepping stone. Wish I was there with you (physically) but always know I will be by your side forever. Rest peacefully now Al.
Love, Sue
Joan and David Fellows
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So sorry and sad to learn of a Als passing .Prayers for his family
Ray McCusker
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I was so sorry to hear of Al’s passing I loved his stories and his work ethic was second to none. The work he did at the Chelmsford Police station
when we were building it was top notch. I will miss my friend and our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Jeff Bilby
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First met Mr. Garside when he was recommended by a co worker(thanks Butch Murphy!) to help me plan and design my late brother and parents head stone back in the late 90’s. He was such a character and ball of energy but he was also a kind man and could tell some stories, boy could he! Glad he passed his craft on to his son. He did a wonderful job on my families stone and his excellent work never forgotten, he will be missed.. RIP
Sharon Baum
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My deepest condolences. Al was a special person with a great sense of humor. I am honored to have known him and to have worked with him many years ago.
Caitlyn & Gloria Soo Hoo
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We will really miss Al we are very sad. When we moved in he used to come to our house and say hi Al always had a smile on his face he made us feel liked we belonged. Al was really nice.In winter he would come and say do you need a hand then he would help us. We truly really miss him . I am really sorry for your loss. Rest in peace. Caitlyn Soo Hoo and Gloria Soo Hoo