06/04/2026
We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Stanley Alford. He was a Charter/Founding member (2005) of
the American Legion Riders Motorcycle Association of Post 925 (Norfolk, NY). May he rest in peace.
With Respect,
-Thomas Morrison
President, American Legion Riders Post 925
Madrid: Stanley G. Alford, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, May 26, 2026, in Longs, SC surrounded by his loving family.
Stanley was born on March 26, 1939, in Ogdensburg, NY, the son of the late Mark H. and Grace I. (Gordon) Alford. After high school graduation and acquiring his associate’s degree from the New York State Agricultural and Technical Institute (now SUNY Canton), Stanley enlisted in the US Army and served in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1962. He often recalled extending his service to assist in the chaotic aftermath of the Berlin Wall’s overnight installation.
After a brief marriage to Judith A. Carbino, he married Barbara J. Coller on December 9, 1968, in Madrid, NY.
He worked as a millwright for ALCOA, as a member of the United Steelworkers Local 420-A union. He retired in 2001 after 38 years of employment. Simultaneously, he and Barbara operated the family custom woodworking business, Alford’s Sash & Door Shop, from 1981 until 2016.
“Stan the Man” was known for his smile, sense of humor, bald head, work scooter, love of bluegrass music, an enthusiastic jitterbug with his wife, and the ability to fix anything. Everyone he met became a friend, and you quickly learned that he had a quick witticism for everything. Some were funny – “when the going gets tough, the tough go for coffee!” – while others were tidbits of wisdom to store away for later – “Work as close to perfect as you can, because in the end, we’ll be off far enough.”
But more than this, Stanley was known for his Harley Davidsons, love of classic cars and his dedication to his hometown and surrounding communities. An avid motorcyclist, he belonged to a multitude of riding clubs in NY and SC over the 6 decades that he rode: Tri-Town, Border Eagles, Retreads and Southern Cruisers, as well as a founding member of both the American Legion Riders Post 925 (Norfolk) and the Red Knights International Motorcycle Club Local # 35 (Madrid). His daughters recall the reassuring sound of his motorcycle entering the village limits meant that Dad was almost home!
He was also a long-time member of the St. Lawrence-Adirondack Section of the Antique Automobile Club of America. When club members decided to donate a replica Texaco gas station to the St Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum in the 2000s, Alford Sash & Door Shop built and donated the windows for the building.
He had a long history of service to his community. He served on the Madrid Cemetery Board for 24 years, was a member of the Madrid Historical Society, and was also a member of the American Legion Post No. 1513 for over 40 years, but he will be remembered most for his commitment to the Madrid Fire Department. Starting in 1974, he served numerous roles, including Foreman, Fire Commissioner, the face of Turkey Dinner deliveries and the bass drum player in a multitude of parades. He was proud to be the Department’s first recipient of the ‘Fireman of the Year Award’ in 1980.
But among the many milestones in his well-lived life, he was most proud of his family. In return, his family is proud that they cannot remember anyone having a bad word to say about Stan, which is an accomplishment that very few people can claim in an 87-year-long life.
Stanley is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara of Madrid, NY and Longs, SC, his four daughters; Kathryn White of Russell, NY; April Fairbridge of Waddington, NY; Linda Alford (Lynn Coller) of Russell, NY; and Beverly Race (William) of Little River, SC; his brother-in-law Patrick Kelley of Hilton, NY; his 4 grandchildren; Joshua (Acacia) White of Madrid, NY; Mathew Wells of Waddington, NY; Megan White (Marc Badlam) of Heuvelton, NY and Marci Brown of Pasadena, MD.
He is also survived by several great-grandchildren and nieces in New York, Maryland and South Carolina, along with a lengthy list of friends, who will greatly miss him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Eileen Kelley, his son-in-law Michael White and his great-grandson Baby Badlam.
A Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in the Madrid Cemetery, officiated by Lay Minister, Kathy Felix from the United Church of Madrid, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Madrid Community Building.
The family would also like to thank his array of specialists in both South Carolina and New York over the last several years, all sharing the inside joke with him that he was “complicated”, as well as Lower Cape Fear LifeCare/Hospice for their support and care over the past week.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Madrid Fire Department; P.O. Box 69, Madrid, New York 13660; or the United Church of Madrid, P.O. Box 174, Madrid, New York 13660.
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