Carl Decidue Alfonso

Mr. Carl Decidue Alfonso, last surviving child of Decidue and Laboria Alfonso, passed away June 10, 2005. Carl, age 91, was a lifelong resident of Gulfport. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Tommye Williamson Alfonso, and his sisters, Theresa Alfonso Gulotta, Spena Alfonso, and Josephine Alfonso, and his brothers, Nofie D. Alfonso, Gus D. Alfonso, Andy Alfonso, Sr., Nathan D. Alfonso, Salvador "Tut" Alfonso, Vincent Alfonso, and Joseph Alfonso. Carl and his brothers began commercial fishing at the age of eight with their father. They had one boat to support the family, 17 feet long 7 feet wide. No power or sails, just oars. Carl was educated in Gulfport City Schools and graduated from Gulfport High School Class of 1932. In 1957 Carl acquired the real estate firm of Cheney Realty and renamed it Alfonso Realty. The firm is now known as Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty and has grown to be one of the largest real estate companies in Mississippi with offices in Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian, Orange Grove and Waveland. Carl served in the army during WW II and went through South France at Marseille during the invasion of Germany, moving north through Dijon, Straburg, Bitche, and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He commanded Company L. of the 399th Infantry of the 100th Division in the 7th Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was an Army Captain when he left the service. The end of the war did not end his efforts to promote and preserve the interests of the veteran. Carl became a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans. He served as commander of Joe Graham Post #119, American Legion in Gulfport. He was also a member of the Retired Officer's Association. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gulfport. In 1949, American Legion Post 119 decided to have a fishing rodeo. Carl was post commander at the time, and he was asked to chair the rodeo with the support of the executive committee. The Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo began on July 1, 1949, in a large tent. Carl chaired the rodeo for six years. The Rodeo now brings tens of thousands to the Mississippi Coast each Independence Day. Carl also served as chairman of Ship Island Fort, Inc. when it was owned by the Joe Graham Post #119 of the American Legion. Carl advised the members of the American Legion Post to return the island to the United States Government and the National Park Service since the title to the property contained a reversionary clause that it could not be sold but used only for recreation purposes. This was accomplished with the assistance of then Congressman Bill Colmer. As a result, the fort and island remain a public attraction for thousands of tourists each year. Carl sailed. In 1933 the first yacht club was organized and all eight brothers were charter members of the Gulfport Yacht Club. Carl and four other of his brothers served as Commodores. Carl loved the water and for years spent most summer weekends going back and forth to Ship Island with Capt. Pete. Carl also served as President of the West Gulf Coast Association of Realtors and President of the Gulfport Lion's Club. Carl was an avid reader and spend the greater part of the day over the past few years reading the entire Sun Herald from the front page headline through to the last classified ad. Thank you to Kathleen Gebbia for making this possible. Carl is survived by his daughters, Carlene Alfonso, and her husband, Walter Ketchings, and Judge Margaret Alfonso and her husband, Cono Caranna, and one granddaughter, Margaret Amanda "Mandy" Krucks. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Benchwork Program of the Arc (formerly the Gulf Coast Society for Retarded Citizens), 3109 Gulf Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501. Serving as pallbearers will be nephews, N. D. Alfonso, Augie Alfonso, Andy Alfonso, Jr., Chris Alfonso, Don Alfonso and Dr. Bill Williamson; nieces, Gayla Ann Williamson Martin and Pauline Mensi, Capt. Pete Skrmetta, and Sam Ford. Carlene and Margaret would like to thank the dedicated staff, particularly Roger Price, who took care of Carl at the Biloxi Veterans Administration Hospital, Building 2. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, where friends may visit from 11 a. m. till service time. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.