H. Alfred Yonce of Orleans died on Nov. 12, 2024 at Broadreach Healthcare in Chatham. He was 96.
A graduate of the University of Maryland and Georgetown Law School, Al served with the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II and the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He married Joan Catherine Tassi in 1954 after a blind date with Joan’s roommate.
Al and Joan fell in love with Cape Cod on their honeymoon and moved to Orleans to raise eight children. Al practiced law for more than 50 years at Richards & Yonce and Yonce & Yonce.
Al and Joan co-founded the Academy of Performing Arts, acting, directing, and designing there and with the Highlanders, Cape Rep Theatre, and Harwich Junior Theatre.
After Joan died in 2003, Al took up her paints, leading to a 2008 show at Gallery 31 in Orleans. He kept a canvas on the easel for the rest of his life.
Al was active in the Board of Trade, the Orleans Yacht Club, and the Orleans Senior Center, and he could also be found sailing catboats on Pleasant Bay, marshaling at Ocean Edge Golf Course, or serving deli meats at Friends’ Marketplace in Orleans.
He helped build St. Joan of Arc parish and served as a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, a lay Eucharist server, and a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul.
He is survived by his children, William of Dennis, Daniel of Orleans, Thomas of Yarmouth Port, John of Scituate, and Mary Gainey of Brewster, and by 23 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife, Joan, his children Michael, Matthew, and Eileen Burke, and his brothers William and Phillip.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 at St. Joan of Arc in Orleans. Donations in his memory may be made to the National MS Society.
