Alfred John Sargent, Sr.

Alfred John Sargent, Sr., our much-loved father and uncle, was called home by Our Lord on February 9, 2025 to be with his beloved late wife of 71 years Josephine “Josie” Cecilia Sargent who passed in 2022. Born in Roxbury, MA on April 29, 1927 to Rose and Alfred Sargent, Fred was from a traditional Italian American Family. He developed an early interest in music, particularly the drums, as he loved the drummer, Gene Krupa. Unable to finish high school due to WWII, Fred enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 years old and served in the South Pacific from 1944-1946, rising to the rank of Seaman First Class as a Navy Seabee. Honorably discharged in 1946, Fred returned home to take care of his mother, brother and sister. Fred attended the Berklee School of Music on the G.I. Bill, starting his music career off playing with the Gene Stanford Orchestra. He developed as a fine musician and would teach the drums to students from time to time. In 1950 he met and married the love of his life Josie, where it was love at first sight. In 1953, their one and only son Alfred J. Sargent, Jr. was born, and was instantly the apple of his father and mother's eye. They spent many wonderful Sundays together as a family, where they shared home cooked meals made by Josie from her mother's original recipes. Fred was a gifted auto mechanic, working as a machinist for many years. He decided to retire from the auto world to play drums and was a valued fixture at the original Jack's Drum Shop in Boston. It was owned by the great jazz drummer, Jack Adams. Many jazz and classical percussionist's would stop in to the shop when they were in town. Fred interacted with many of the famous names who came in such as, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Alan Dawson, Vic Firth and Mel Lewis. In particular his idol Gene Krupa would visit the shop, who shared his collection of 16 mm sound films of the big bands with him one afternoon at the A. Zildjian Cymbal Company where Fred was employed for 17 years as a cymbal tester. Fred and Josie along with sister-in-laws Phyllis Tabbi, Tina Pegnato and her daughter Camille, would make many trips to Foxwoods where they would play the slot machines. Fred loved these trips to Connecticut, driving his Buick and entertaining the girls along the trip. His niece Mary and her husband Mike were always around visiting often. Margot and Marc loved their Papa and spending many happy hours with them and having tea parties with Margot and making Play-Doh animals with Marc. Papa Fred was also cherished by Margot's son Luca and enjoyed playing with hot wheels together. Fred also enjoyed spending time with the Pegnato family on holidays and Sundays in Chelsea.  He also enjoyed visiting C&J Auto Body in Stoughton to talk old cars with Gary and Jack and remember his late friend, Jerry Capozzoli.

Fred is survived by his beloved son, Alfred J. Sargent, Jr. of Stoughton, sister-in-law to Phyllis Tabbi of Stoughton, brother-in-law Joseph Tabbi and his wife Patricia of Hampstead, NH. He was preceded in death by his siblings John Sargent, Barbara Lyons, and a baby sister who passed Rosemarie Sargent. He was the dearly loved uncle to Mary McDonnell and her husband Michael, beloved Papa to Marc McDonnell of Duxbury, Margot DeChiara and her husband Dominic and son Luca of Carver. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and his treasured caregiver Michelle Jeruse.

Visitation will be held at the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park Street (Rt. 27) Stoughton, Thursday February 13th from 4-7 PM. Funeral will be held the next day at the funeral home, Friday February 14th at 9:15 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. James Church in Stoughton at 10:30 AM. Burial will be held at St. Michael Cemetery, 500 Canterbury Street in Boston. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred's memory may be made to https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/donate.