Thomas R. “Tom” Alford
Thomas R. “Tom” Alford, age 86, of Quincy, passed away at 1:29 a.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026, in Good Samaritan Home. Tom was born on June 6, 1940, to Elmer R. and Ruth Eleanor (Jackson) Alford in Adams County, Illinois. On April 22, 1961, Tom married Joyce Ann Jansen in St. Francis Catholic Church in Quincy. Joyce preceded him in death on January 1, 2011. Together they raised their three sons Alan, Bruce, and Scott. Tom was of the Catholic faith.
Following his graduation from Brown County High School, Tom served in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1962. He began his professional career as a sales and repair man for Dictaphone. During his time with the company, Tom, Joyce, and their growing family lived in Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania before returning home to Quincy. In 1975, Tom and Joyce opened AA Communications. Tom spent the next forty years selling, installing, and maintaining business telephone systems throughout the tri-state area. Tom sold the business to Adams TeleSystems in 2015, where he worked until his “retirement.” In retirement, Tom worked the early morning shift at Hy-Vee Fresh and Fast Gas Station at 14th and Harrison. For the remainder of his life, Tom happily greeted each customer with a smile and friendly conversation.
Remaining true to his servant’s heart, Tom volunteered his time to the Knights of Columbus Mass for the Shut-ins and his beloved Quincy Notre Dame. Over the past fifty years many things changed at Quincy Notre Dame, but one thing remained constant, every game began with the same friendly smile from the same friendly face. Tom greeted generations of students, families, fans, and guests as a dedicated ticket taker for QND Athletics. His service to Notre Dame filled his heart with pride, kept his mind young, and provided his life with purpose, especially in the years following his wife’s passing. He truly considered the administration, staff, students, and fellow ticket takers family, and their love and concern for him made QND his home.
Above all, Tom was a family man. His love for his family and friends was deep and his support and devotion to them was unwavering. Watching his grandchildren grow was his greatest joy. From taking them fishing to sitting in the stands cheering them on to taking them to his favorite ice cream shops, Tom was ever-present and their biggest fan. In true Tom fashion, he shared his love and devotion with everyone he called family or friend. He was often the first person to show-up and lend a helping hand, offer words of encouragement, or simply provide an ear to listen. He has left a lasting impression on many lives and will be missed by everyone that had the privilege to know him.
In his younger years, Tom enjoyed playing softball at the Knights of Columbus, bowling, and when made to, he even enjoyed golfing with friends. Tom cherished any amount of time that he could spend fishing and his fishing trip to Canada with his sons and brother was one of his favorite memories. When Tom was not standing at the gates and doors of QND with a ticket puncher in hand, he could be found sitting in a gymnasium with his buddies watching his Lady Raiders play basketball.
Tom is survived by his three sons and their wives: Alan and Sally Alford, Bruce and Theresa Alford, and Scott and Anne Alford; grandchildren: Jessica Alford, Chris Alford, Gino Alford, Dr. Owen Alford-Bichsel and his wife Paige, Olivia Alford, Ian Alford and his girlfriend Marcella, Emory Alford, and Reid Alford; a brother, Wayne Alford and his wife Joyce; sisters-in law: Bonnie Jansen and Marcia Roulet and her husband Rick; six step-siblings; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends that Tom called family.
In addition to his wife and parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother George Alford; niece and nephew Khristina and Jason Alford; his father and mother-in-law Alvin and Mary (Mock) Jansen; and step-father Earl Higley, as well as many other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church.
Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 6th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Tom & Joyce Alford Scholarship in care of the Quincy Notre Dame Foundation.
Bruce so sorry for your loss. He certainly will be missed at QND. That smiling friendly face. Cecil loved working and chitchatting with Tom at QND Volleyball and Girls Basketball games. To know Tom was to love him. Super person.
We will miss him. Cecil and Cathy Haskins
Not a better man EVER, Prayers for all. Tom was a joy to see every morning.
What an awesome man. I first met Tom and Joyce when I was a medical transcriptionist during the Dictaphone days. Tom always remembered people and called them by name, making everyone feel important. Sending prayers and sympathy to Tom’s family and friends.
Dear Family – I am sorry for your loss – I wish you peace
Bruce and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Tom was a great guy and I will forever miss him!! I worked with Tom at the Hyvee gas station on Harrison and he was such a pleasure to work with!! We talked alot about family and the Raiders and he most definitely loved them but his love was fierce for his family!! Especially his Grandchildren. He definitely made alot of friends over the years and I am so grateful that I was one of them!!! He enjoyed taking cookies to his girls he would always say. I can’t remember if it was McDonald’s or Subway but he enjoyed their company too!! Fly high Tom!!! Thank you for the memories buddy!!!
Tom and Joyce were a remarkable couple. Remarkable. Friendly. Good business people. Very Religous. Dedicated to QND, its misson and its future. They raised a great family. I will just tell you one story. For five to six years I tried to acquired tickets to a University of Notre Dame football game. I finally did it. Patrick was playing for our QND and broke his wrist the day before we were to go to South Bend. I argued with Cinda that he could still go but alas she was right. So, I called Tom very late on that Friday night asked if he and his family would like to have the tickets. He did not even think a second and said “yes”. I then asked a favor would he take our youngest, Dan, to the game. (We were in Springfield because of Patrick’s football injury.) Again, without even thinking about it a second, he said “yes!”
He was a dear man made better being married to Joyce.
God bless them and everyone they had loved…..
Mike McClain
Alan, Bruce, and Scott,
I am So, So, Saddened to hear of your loss. I am not sure I have ever met a better person than your father. He truly was the face of QND Athletics. I know of no person who was a greater “Angel on Earth,” than Tom. He IS the definition of true servant leadership. I am not sure anyone will ever match his loyalty and dedication to QND athletics. But, as much as he loved QND, he loved you, and your mother more. I will pray that God gives all of you the strength you need in the difficult times ahead. May HE fill your hearts and souls with all the great memories you created, and shared with your dad. He will be truly missed on this Earth. God Bless.
Mr. Alford was the reason I would go into the Hy Vee gas station. He was always so kind and patient with everyone. What an immense loss to anyone who knew him or had the pleasure of interacting with him. Prayers of peace and comfort for the family.
Bruce – I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bruce and Family, so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Always enjoyed visiting with him when he came to Modern Printing.
Lowell and Vickie Glas
To The Alford Family …
We are very sorry we were not able to attend Tom’s Services. Tom was always there for us, for QND and for the entire Quincy Community and Area. Clearly he was always there for his friends and clients in Michigan, Texas and Pennsylvania also. A Life Definitely Well Lived! Thanks, Tom!