Hudson – Alfred T “Al” Cabral passed away peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. He was 89 years old.
Born in 1925, Al, affectionately and respectfully known as “The Chief,” was a lifelong resident of Hudson and the son of the late Jose and Merces (Nunes) Cabral.
Al was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Cabral, and his sister Ernestine Teixeira. He leaves behind his three children, Joe Cabral of New Boston, N.H., Paul Cabral of Hudson, and Kathi Cabral of Colorado Springs, Co.; his sister, Juliette Quinn; five grandchildren, Krystal Labranche, James Vincent, Jessica Cabral, and Derek Cabral; and two great-grandchildren, Kamden and Hayden Labranche.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army six days after graduating from Hudson High School in 1943. He received a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and various other medals for his service in WWII. In December 2013, his dog tag was found on a beach in Italy, near Anzio beachhead where his platoon landed in 1944. It was ceremoniously presented to him in March 2014 by Congressman James McGovern at Autumn Village nursing home in Worcester, where he spent his final months.
Al began his career in law enforcement in the 1950s as a police officer in Hudson, Sudbury, and Wayland, and later served as the Chief of Police in Hudson from 1970 until his retirement in December 1979. During that time, he graduated from the FBI Academy’s special session for police chiefs. He was a member of the Elks Club, Rotary Club, DAV, VFW, Amvets, and Riverside Gun Club.
Anyone who knew Al knew he was a force of nature. A proud man, he was very friendly and social, kind, generous, and a wonderful husband and father. He loved life and never missed an opportunity to chat with those he encountered and extend a hand to those who needed help. He was very proud of his service in the Hudson Police Department and in WWII. And he loved the town and people of Hudson, and his many friends at the Elks and various local restaurants that he visited regularly. He will be sorely missed by many, but no one more than his children who adored him.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 25, at 9 a.m., in Saint Michael’s Church, 21 Manning St., Hudson. Burial with military honors will follow in Forestvale Cemetery of Hudson. Family and friends may attend calling hours Friday, Oct. 24, from 5-8 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson.
Donations in memory of Al can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd. Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
