Published On: Thu, Oct 15th, 2015

Former Boca Raton Mayor Alan C. Alford Dies at 84

Alan Carlisle Alford, a former Boca Raton mayor, longtime resident and pioneer, has died. He was 84.

Mr. Alford died Saturday at home surrounded by his family.

A native of Mineola, New York, Mr. Alford moved to Florida to attend the University of Miami following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy.

After earning a degree in Business Administration, he immediately became involved in the city government of Boca Raton where he served as the city’s first assistant city manager in 1960.

He became the city manager six years later but was fired from the job in 1972 because he disagreed with the council over a water-and-sewer issue.

Several months later, he was elected mayor by a large margin. He served as mayor and a council member until 1975.

In 1979, Mr. Alford ran for mayor again but lost by a narrow margin. He however was appointed to the council in 1981 and served until the late 1980s.

Mr. Alford was instrumental in the purchase of beach property and public parks around Boca Raton.  He spent his long political career dedicating himself to preserving open spaces for the city of Boca, family members said.

At the conclusion of his term as mayor, he opened his financial planning firm, Alford and Associates, where he worked until his retirement.

Mr. Alford continued his involvement for the city of Boca Raton as a city council member for many years and as a park ranger working within the parks and city that he loved.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Helen Lenore Alford; two sons, James Marcus Alford and Gregg Alan Alford; two daughters, Dawn Lenore Zook, and Patricia Mabel Washam; daughters-in-law Eileen Alford and Alice Wylie; sons-in-law Morgan M. Zook, Jr and Mark Washam; 11 grandchildren and a sister and brother-in-law Patricia and William Lockwood.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Glick Family Funeral Home, 3600 N. Federal Highway.  A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 701 W. Palmetto Park Rd.

Remembrances may be made to Trustbridge’s Hospice by the Sea (hbts.org) and/or St. Paul Lutheran Church (stpaulboca.com).

 

By CRA News Service

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