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Alfred McKinley St Amant, 87, was born on August 9, 1935 in Tampa Florida to Edward St.Amant (laborer) and Annie Newman (housewife). He was the youngest of eight children - predeceased by Rosalie Garofali (Anthony), Charles St.Amant (Edith), Mary Wilson (Woodrow), Lawrence St. Amant (Marie), Jack St. Amant (Sarah), and Edith Tobul (Lewis), and survived by Robert St. Amant (Barbara). They lived in a small house near the Hillsborough River. He often spoke of his admiration and love for all his siblings as well as the good times and hard work they endured during that simple time.
After high school in 1953, he enlisted in the United States Navy to unselfishly serve and protect the country he loved. He received an honorable discharge in late 1956 after serving aboard the US Valley Forge aircraft carrier as a Class A machinist mate traveling the world during the Korean War Conflict.
He met, fell in love, and married his late wife Janette Burgett in 1957. They had three children - predeceased by Charles St. Amant and survived by Darleen St. Amant Harris and Edward Andrew St. Amant (Christina).
He became employed in early 1959 by Tampa Electric Corporation (TECO) and worked devotedly as a machinist millwright at their Gannon, Hooker’s Point, and Big Bend power plants. He loved his work with the heart of a lion and enjoyed engaging his co-workers in long talks. You could count on one hand the days he missed any work.
He fell in love and married his late wife Regina Louise Michaud Brosier in 1968 and embraced being a stepfather to her three children - predeceased by Richard Brosier and survived by Catherine Martinez (Ray) and Michael Brosier (Suzanne). Together they had four children - predeceased by Christopher St. Amant and survived by Rebecca McClintock (Bruce), Daniel St. Amant, and Annemarie Prater (Shawn). They moved from Tampa in 1971 to live in the country in Masaryktown Florida, his very own slice of heaven on earth which he retained as his homestead property until his passing.
Alfred was a down-to-earth man to the extent of many not understanding his ways. He was pure. He tried to instill his knowledge of gardening, automobile maintenance, building, and the faith of his Catholic religion to his children or anybody else who would accept it. He never held anything back. He was an open book. If you ever dug in deep into his character, you would see the most gentlest, caring, protective, and unconditional heart there ever was.
His children moved away and started their own families. He is survived by sixteen grandchildren - Eric McElduff (Erika), Stephanie Brunson (Jason), Noah St. Amant (Billie), Julia St. Amant, Savannah St. Amant, Josh Bobrowski (Brynn), Jack McClintock, Maia McClintock, Matthew St. Amant, Madison St. Amant, Logan St. Amant, Justin Prater, Kevin Prater, Katie Prater, Ryan Prater, and Thomas Prater and two great grandchildren - Aiden McElduff and Ari McElduff.
He retired from TECO in 1995 after 36 years of service. In his retirement, he enjoyed gardening, fixing old cars, constructing buildings and expelled an enormous amount of love raising Shih Tzu puppies. He shared the love of dogs with people he met along the way by giving some of his little "fluff balls of love" away to spread the love he felt in his heart. He remained very faithful to his religion always trying to learn more. He assisted St. Mary's Catholic Church in Masaryktown Florida in repairs and maintenance without asking for anything in return, as he was very happy and content with his life to provide service.
As Alfred’s strong body started to weaken without any physical pain, his mind fell ill with dementia near 2017. After enduring five years of illness, it seemed as if God lowered his hand from heaven on October 21, 2022 and laid Alfred’s soul to rest softly and gently with repayment for the good man he was. Alfred entered the kingdom of heaven with no ill will towards anyone, a soul bulging with faith, and enormous love for everyone in his family. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.
In remembrance of Alfred’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to his beloved church - St. Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 18810 US 41, Masaryktown, FL 34604.
Commentaire
Il était le fils d'Edward Edmund dit Eddie St-Amand et d'Annie Newman; le petit-fils de François dit Francis Cead St-Amand et de Virginia Elizabeth Labadie; l'arrière-petit-fils de François-Xavier dit Louis Juste St-Amand et de Marie Poirier. Il est un descendant de Michel Lebrette dit St-Amand.
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