Alvin J. Dallas, Sr.

Alvin J. Dallas Sr. born December 21, 1937 moved to heaven on January 2, 2018 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. He was surrounded by loved ones.

Alvin loved to tell stories or “sermons” as he would say when he was trying to teach a lesson or if a young person was out of line. He had a way of making people laugh and would joke until you smiled or laughed. He was a gifted musician. He had a country western band in his younger years and then moved on to using these talents in churches and with youth groups. Alvin would sing and play guitar, banjo and harmonica. Alvin believed strongly in serving his community. He was most fond of 45 years as a volunteer fire fighter rescue squad and fire police in Catskill NY, Athens NY, West Athens, NY and Norfolk CT. He was always a hard worker and would push others to work hard as well. He loved to tell stories about the importance of training for firefighters and specific stories of trainees. He touched many lives by training new firefighters. Many of those that were trained in their teenage years in Athens NY are still in the volunteer fire company and a few have been or are currently the Fire Chief.

Alvin dearly loved his wife Dorothy Williams-Dallas and since retirement did not spend one night away from her until he became ill. They were together for 31 years and between the two of them they had nine children. He deeply loved his family and friends and time spent with them. Each visit or call meant the world to him. He was very proud of his son Philip and his service to this nation as a Marine and in the National Guard and as a paid fire fighter at Camp Lejeune. Philip called him “General” in their phone calls and it always made his day.

He loved to spend time fishing and said that it was where he loved to relax.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Dorothy Williams-Dallas, brother Floyd Dallas and wife Iris, Children are Philip Dallas and wife Lisa of Jacksonville NC, Irene Beede and fiancé George Acker of Purling NY, Margaret Dallas of Catskill, NY and Elva Gleason and husband Tom of Kingston NY. Step children since 1987, Cynthia Gabrielle, husband Rickie of Athens NY , Al Williams wife Terri of Coxsackie NY, Sheila Stoddard, husband Jerry of Winsted CT, Ray Willams and wife Lori of Athens NY. Alvin is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Alvin was predeceased by his parents George and Margaret (Wynne) Dallas, siblings, Juanita Greiner, James Dallas and Letitia Lane- son Alvin J. Dallas Jr,  step son Philip Williams and granddaughter Jasmine Neal.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, January 8, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Cook Funeral Home 82 Litchfield St, Torrington, CT. In the spring there will be a memorial at his plot in Catskill NY and a gathering at the Athens, Firehouse.