Obituary
Alan E. Felter 1934 – 2020
Alan E. Felter, of Tamiment, PA and The Villages, FL, passed away June 18, 2020 in Ocala, Florida. He was born at home in Nyack, NY to Frank V. Felter and Mildred Brett Felter on June, 12, 1934.
Alan graduated from Nyack High School class of 1952 and later Rockland Community College. In 1953, he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his county during the Korean War. In 1957, he was honorably discharged and returned home to Nyack, NY. After his marriage to Donna F. Cummings, he moved his family to West Nyack, NY where they resided for over 40 years.
Alan worked as a computer systems programmer for many corporations in the greater metro NY area. You could say he was one of the original computer geeks, loving all kinds of technology and gadgets. In 1987, he had built a vacation home in Tamiment, PA. Afterwards, he became a snowbird, buying a retirement home in The Villages.
Alan was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Tappan, NY for over 50 years and also a Royal Arch Mason. He was forever the handyman. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix or do. He enjoyed many clubs and activities including: gardening, music, outer space, NASA, kite flying, building model train layouts and flying model planes, puzzles, trivia, electronics, board & card games, pets, comedy, arts and crafts, sci fi and many more. Most importantly, Alan loved his family and friends. He always wanted his family surrounding him and we kept close to him. You could often find him outside on his benches with his friends, telling war stories and having a good laugh. Alan fought his illness long and hard to his last breath. His doctors would often say what good spirits and humor he had for one so sick. But, that was Alan, a good, kind, gentle man.
Alan is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Donna Cummings Felter; 2 daughters, Jill Felter Krist (Michael) of Nanuet, NY and Alison Felter McNulty (Joey Sparks) of Leesburg, FL.; granddaughter, Jaclyn Krist of Nanuet, NY; sister, Eunice Boynton of Sandspoint, ID; 2 nieces, Eunice Russo of Colorado and Martha Mitchell of Texas; 1 nephew, L. Alan Williams of Kansas.
He is pre-deceased by his parents, Frank and Mildred Felter, his sister Mildred Williams, son-in-law Edward McNulty and infant granddaughter Lucy McNulty.
A memorial is being planned for him at a future date. Please send contributions in his honor to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org) 230 East Ohio ST. suite 500, Chicago, ILL 60611 OR The North Lake Presbyterian Church, Operation Homebound, 975 Rolling Acres Rd., Lady Lake, FL. 32159.
Dads brick
Dad in the military park when we went to see his brick.
For the many people who knew Alan, the world became a little less bright. A little less fun.
Alan was not a famous person. There will be no long obituaries written about him citing tremendous business or philanthropic accomplishments.
But to those who knew him, there is a great loss, a missing puzzle piece in their life now. He was a good person, who was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to so many people. He loved life and sharing it with the people he knew.
Alan had the right priorities. He lived the American Dream in his 86 years, as he provided a better life for his family than how he grew up. He cherished his daughters, his grandchild, his wife and extended family.
He was a devoted husband and cared for his wife Donna. While they lived a middle to upper-middle class life style, they made important decisions and sacrifices, to benefit their children.
When anyone needed help or something fixed, Alan was always willing.
Alan loved food. He would not hesitate to drive miles with family or friends to try a new restaurant, visit a great bakery or search for the perfect slice of pizza. Even if meant getting lost or going into a dangerous neighborhood, the venture was worth it. Distance was no issue when it came to finding good food.
Alan loved gadgets and the latest technology. He was not always good at it, but he tried.
Alan was often impatient, frequently changing TV channels and driving others in the room crazy. He loved good music and listening to Alexia. He had a passion for doing huge puzzles, which he framed after completion. This was his way of relaxing.
When I entered their family a number of years ago, Alan welcomed me warmly. He didn’t actively engage in all matters, as the TV and puzzles were usually of more interest to him. But we all knew that he cared, and cared deeply, about those in his life.
He suffer for months and years with an illness, Alan’s death came quickly today as he had called his wife at 8:30 this morning. and by 1:30 he was gone. Unfortunately there was not the opportunity for a final “I love you Pops" for me.
So as cliche as this sounds as I write this….please take time today or this weekend and tell those you love and appreciate….that you do. Do it often. You will not regret it.
Alan Felter is a reminder that there is far more to life than money and work. Alan worked hard, but enjoyed his life. He knew how to have fun, smile, share good times with people, enjoy food and the importance of family.
Billie Kae Anderson
We participated in several clubs and activities with Alan, always enjoying his humor and knowledge. He approached life with a positive attitude and a kind nature, creating a warm atmosphere for whatever we were doing.
Alan's social outreach led to his providing a park-like setting for all who passed by his house. He wanted everyone to be comfortable while swapping stories and sharing laughs, so he provided benches for people to stop, rest, and socialize. He especially enjoyed visits from the dogs who were being walked on our street. He loved it when they would run to him for scratches and hugs, which he gladly gave.
Alan's physical presence will be missed, but his wonderful spirit will remain with us always.
Mike and Linda Morris
Dad on a zip line when he was in his late 70s.
Dad and Jackie