“I didn’t feel a thing.” Alfred E. Rivers, Jr. (Al) said this every time one of us stubbed a toe or had a minor injury, and we usually laughed despite ourselves. He died August 17, one day shy of his 97th birthday, after a bout with sepsis and pneumonia that weakened his body but not his desire to make sure he said his goodbyes and had all his “ducks in a row.”

Al was a Navy veteran, having served on the Wiltsie DD-716 during WWII and also a tour during the Korean War. He worked as an illustrator for the Marine Corps after he left the service, and while his specialty was calligraphy, he also was known for his caricatures and cartoon drawings.

Al met his wife and “doll,” Margaret (Peggy) through her job with Al’s father and boss. He asked her, “Do you date sailors?” She said, “Maybe.” They got married on Feb. 24, 1957, and had three kids – Steve (Kansas), Sandy (Virginia), and Tom (Florida). All three were born in Pennsylvania, but Al had to take a special B-26 flight from Japan to the US when Steve was born, which he said started his hearing decline because the engines were so noisy.

Al loved boats, motorcycles, and especially aviation. He had a Cessna 152 when Woodbridge still had an airport, and he treated his family to excursions to Ocean City. He also was an avid model airplane and ship builder, and spent many hours in his workshop fine tuning and detailing his projects. He emphasized teaching his kids independence but was gentle and strong for his wife, Peggy, who died in 2021. He was renowned in his family and community for his sharp mind and incredible memory, and beloved for his friendliness, geniality, and caring attitude toward those around him.

Al was preceded in death by his wife, Peg, and two grandchildren, Eric and Cara. He is survived by his two sons and daughter and grandchildren Nathan and Paige, as well as his brother, Jack (Texas). The neighborhood has lost the lion.