Obituary for Alex Afton
Afton, Alex - 92- died November 19, 2016 in Davidsville. He was born on February 2, 1924 in Beaverdale. Alex lived a very full life, centered around his family, his chosen profession, and his ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in March of 1943, he was assigned to the Pacific Theatre and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps medal for heroism during the invasion of Bougainville.
Upon completion of his military service in 1946, Alex enrolled at St. Francis and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor Degree of Education. While at St. Francis, Alex was appointed the first head co-coach of the St. Francis Women's Basketball team in 1947.
Alex began his teaching career at Turkeyfoot Valley and this began his 40-year love affair with public education. A year later, he moved to Beaverdale High School and then to Beaverdale-Wilmore High School where he taught English. He served as an assistant football coach at Triangle Area High School.
He received his Masters Degree from IUP, his Principal's Certificate from Pitt, and his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Penn State. He also attended summer sessions at Rutgers, Notre Dame, and Duquesne.
Alex was appointed Principal of Forest Hills Junior High in 1971, Assistant Superintendent in 1974, and Superintendent in 1987. After his retirement in 1989, he served as a part-time instructor in the Graduate Education department at St. Francis from 1989 to 1995.
Alex was also recognized as a 70-year member of the Beaverdale American Legion.
His wife of 52 years, Patricia "Patsy", who precedes him in death; his four daughters, Terri Costanzo, Barbara Costlow (husband Patrick), Judy Mehalik (husband Paul), Mary Thomas (husband Tim); his grandchildren, Michael (wife Melissa),
Angela (husband Chris), Leslie (husband Ryan), Patrick, Lauren (husband Brandon), Katie, Paul, Aaron (wife Carly), Kristen (fiancé Justin), Haley; and great-grandchildren John, Jacob, and Lydia, and many other close family members, including nieces and nephews, were his deepest sense of love and admiration. He often said, "These people made my life worth living".
Family will receive friends from 3 PM to 8 PM Monday at the Jean H. Kinley Funeral Home, Beaverdale. Funeral Liturgy 10:30 AM Tuesday, St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Beaverdale. Committal, St. Joseph Cemetery, Beaverdale.
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Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in March of 1943, he was assigned to the Pacific Theatre and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps medal for heroism during the invasion of Bougainville.
Upon completion of his military service in 1946, Alex enrolled at St. Francis and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor Degree of Education. While at St. Francis, Alex was appointed the first head co-coach of the St. Francis Women's Basketball team in 1947.
Alex began his teaching career at Turkeyfoot Valley and this began his 40-year love affair with public education. A year later, he moved to Beaverdale High School and then to Beaverdale-Wilmore High School where he taught English. He served as an assistant football coach at Triangle Area High School.
He received his Masters Degree from IUP, his Principal's Certificate from Pitt, and his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Penn State. He also attended summer sessions at Rutgers, Notre Dame, and Duquesne.
Alex was appointed Principal of Forest Hills Junior High in 1971, Assistant Superintendent in 1974, and Superintendent in 1987. After his retirement in 1989, he served as a part-time instructor in the Graduate Education department at St. Francis from 1989 to 1995.
Alex was also recognized as a 70-year member of the Beaverdale American Legion.
His wife of 52 years, Patricia "Patsy", who precedes him in death; his four daughters, Terri Costanzo, Barbara Costlow (husband Patrick), Judy Mehalik (husband Paul), Mary Thomas (husband Tim); his grandchildren, Michael (wife Melissa),
Angela (husband Chris), Leslie (husband Ryan), Patrick, Lauren (husband Brandon), Katie, Paul, Aaron (wife Carly), Kristen (fiancé Justin), Haley; and great-grandchildren John, Jacob, and Lydia, and many other close family members, including nieces and nephews, were his deepest sense of love and admiration. He often said, "These people made my life worth living".
Family will receive friends from 3 PM to 8 PM Monday at the Jean H. Kinley Funeral Home, Beaverdale. Funeral Liturgy 10:30 AM Tuesday, St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Beaverdale. Committal, St. Joseph Cemetery, Beaverdale.
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