Alfred Megliola

Portsmouth, RI - Alfred Megliola, 76, of Little River, SC, died peacefully on Saturday, July 29, 2006, at the home of his daughter Elaine. Born in Springfield, MA, on November 19, 1929, he was the son of the late Antonio and Concetta Maglione Megliola.Mr. Megliola had worked as a tool designer for Professional Design in Agawam, MA, then as a mechanical and senior manufacturing engineer at Hamilton Standard, a division of United Technologies, in Windsor Locks, CT for 25 years, retiring in 1991. While at Hamilton Standard, he worked with the NASA aerospace team to develop the environmental system for the backpack the astronauts used when landing on the moon in 1969. Because of contribution to this project, Mr. Megliolas name is in a time capsule on the moon. Mr. Meliola was a veteran of the US Navy, serving as a radioman from 1946 to 1951. He was an active member of the Calabash Elks Lodge BPOE #2679 of Calabash, NC, serving as Exalted Ruler in 1998. He was an avid golfer and woodworker, and enjoyed traveling and telling a good story. Family and friends will remember ?Fred? as someone who could be called upon to fix almost anything. Mr. Megliola is survived by a son, David J. Megliola of Granby, CT, four daughters Elaine M. Rigazio of Portsmouth, RI, Jeanne M. Altman of New Canaan, CT, Marianne Ruggiero of North Providence, RI, and Amy J. Megliola of Enfield, CT, his former wife, Elizabeth Abbondanza Megliola of Springfield, MA, a brother Joseph Megliola of Greensboro, NC, nine grandchildren Stephen and Lisa Rigazio, Martha, William and Mary Elizabeth Ruggiero, Justin and Connor Altman, Daniel and and Derek Megliola, and his companion, Billie Dutton of Whiteville, NC. He was the brother of the late Ralph Megliola, Michael Megliola, Antoinette Scattoloni, Rose Carestia, Philomena Mazzarino, and Camille Bottaro. Funeral services and burial will be private. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or to the Calabash Elks Lodge PBOE #2679, 937 Carter Drive, P.O. Box 4207, Calabash, NC 28467, in memory of Mr. Megliola.