Eldridge W. Buffum ROCKLAND Eldridge "Al" W. Buffum of Rockland, passed away quietly on the morning of October 7, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. Al was married for 44 years to the late Theresa A. Buffum (Gimino) and leaves behind three children, Eldridge A. Buffum, Anthony E. Buffum and Theresa A. Buffum. He also leaves behind several great grandchildren and grandchildren including Christopher Buffum, Matthew Buffum and his wife, Lauren, Sophie Miller and her husband, Kevin Miller, Antoinette Anderson and her husband, Steven, Matthew Buffum and his wife, Missy, Jennifer Kile and her husband, Spence Kile, and Jeremy Buffum. He also leaves behind his brother, Kenneth Buffum and many great grandnieces and nephews including David Buffum, Maryanne Buffum, Susan Buffum, Nancy Buffum, Kenneth Buffum, Theresa Brown, Antoinette Berger, Amelia Lauria, Peter Carbonaro, Rina Carbonaro, AmeliaVitale, and Virgilio Gimino. Al was a business agent for the Service Employees International Union, Local 254 for 36 years and President of Local 254 for 8 years. He taught labor relations at Quincy College and was an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Al was an avid bodybuilder and placed fourth in the 1988 AAU Mr. Massachusetts Master bodybuilding championship. He also placed fourth in the 25th annual 1995 NABBA master bodybuilding championship. Al enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and served during World War II and the Korean conflict aboard the USS Sanborn, USS Wyandott and the USS President Adams. Upon his discharge he settled in New York City with his new bride, Theresa. He graduated from New York University and Harvard University Extension School where he studied labor relations. In 1954 he moved his family to Boston and started his life long dedication to the plight of the working man and woman. Al championed workers such as college janitors and contract building cleaners and devoted his life to making sure that these disadvantaged workers obtained a fair wage along with health benefits and pension benefits. The Funeral will be from the C. C. Shepherd Funeral Home, 134 Pleasant St. (Columbian Sq.) S. Weymouth on Saturday October 10 at 8 A.M. The Funeral Mass will be at the St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Church, 392 Hanover St. Hanover at 9 A.M. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4:30 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made in Al and Theresa's memory to the Alzheimer's Association , 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. If you would like to leave a message for the family, please visit www.ccshepherd.com CC Shepherd Funeral Service 134 Pleasant St. S. Weymouth A Family serving Families
Published in The Patriot Ledger on Oct. 8, 2009