Alfred Starkey

Alfred Starkey, affectionately known as “Al”, was born to the late Rose Jones and Son E. Starkey in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Al was a twin to his loving late sister, Alfreda Shelton.   He attended A. Leo Weil Grade School and Schenley High School.  He also attended Community College of Allegheny County.  At an early age, Al accepted Christ and was baptized at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

For over 35 years, Al worked for Pittsburgh Public Schools and was loved by many children, faculty and staff at the schools he proudly serviced (Milliones, Colfax and Brashear, to name a few).  Al was also known for being  an expert dry cleaning presser and worked at various dry cleaners during his life, such as Footer’s Cleaners and Troglione Cleaners (Bobbie, Tootsie & Sissy), and the proud owner of his own business, A Star Cleaners.  In his earlier years, Al was called to duty in the United States Navy at U.S. Navrecsta, San Diego, California where he proudly served his country.  During his tenure in the Navy, he was a cook on a vessel deployed throughout Asia and was honorably discharged on December 6, 1957. 

Al departed this life at 12:50 p.m. on November 24, 2016 peacefully at home with family after enduring a courageous fight.  His departing words prior to transitioning to external life, “It is time for me to go; I have to go Babe”. 

Al is survived by his loving family and extended family:  Daughters, Linda (Alice) and son-in-law Larry, Theresa (Ella) and son-in–law Quintin, and Marquitte (Ella); grandsons, Leslie (Linda) and wife Monica, Quintin II (Theresa) and Zachary (Theresa); brother, Clarence and wife Florence; nieces, Alisa (Clarence), Dale (Clarence) and husband Percy, Theoda “Peaches” (Alfreda), and Robynne (Alfreda); great granddaughters, Shakiya (Leslie); Courtney (Leslie) and Summer (Leslie); great grandson, Sean (Leslie); great, great grandchildren, Kendall (Shakiya), Ernest (Shakiya), Anuatica (Shakiya) and Azion (Shakiya); grandnieces, Myria (Alisa), Kenyatta (Peaches), Ericka (Chipper) and Errin (Chipper); grandnephew Percy III (Dale); great grandnieces Kayla (Kenyatta) and Jaelyn (Kenyatta); great grandnephew Trey (Kenyatta) and Eugene (Erika); former wife, Alice Pittrell; and former wife, Ella Johnson. He is also survived by Joyce and her daughters, Robin, Shelbi, Charisse and all of their loving children; many other dear relatives, extended family, and devoted friends.  Al was predeceased by his mother Rose and father Son E.; his grandmother Ella, his sister Alfreda, brother Dale, nephew Eugene “Chipper” (Alfreda), and great grandson Roman (Leslie) and former wife, Louise.