Alfred Cahn passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 29, after a short illness. He was 97 years old.
Cahn is survived by Lee, his wife of 68 years, daughter Cheryl and son David. He was predeceased by son Michael.
A World War II Navy veteran, Cahn was born in Toronto, Canada, came to New York as a child and settled in Whitestone. A former employee of the now-defunct U.S. Electric Company, he was a member of Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers.
Cahn was a past president of the DAC Little League in Whitestone; a founder and past president of the F.D.R. Democratic Association in Queens and a part-time legislative liaison for Senator Leonard, and later Senator Toby, Stavisky. He acted as their local representative at numerous civic and community meetings.
After a prolonged illness claimed son Michael, Cahn became a devoted volunteer at Coler/Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt Island, were he was honored for his efforts. He was also honored recently, and repeatedly, by Transitional Services for New York, Inc. (TSI) in Whitestone.
Cahn gained local fame as a campaign volunteer, single-handedly going door to door, collecting upwards of 2,000 nominating petition signatures for the candidate of his choice, an achievement he maintained well into his 90s.
“Last year he apologized to me because all he got for me was 1,500 signatures,” recalled Stavisky. “When my son got married, it was Al who accompanied me down the aisle. He was a close friend – I knew him for 45 years – and I will miss him.”
Graveside services were held on Sunday afternoon, November 1, at New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon.
A memorial service is planned for a future date at Coler/Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt Island.
