Wilfred Fifield

Wilfred (Willy) Randolph Fifield, 77, of Honesdale, Pa., a loving husband, father and grandfather dedicated to faith and family, passed away Jan. 15, 2017, in Morristown Medical Center following a brief illness.
Born in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Mr. Fifield moved to Richmond Valley in 1973, where he lived for 30 years. He settled in Honesdale in 2003.
A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, Mr. Fifield took great pride in his work. He was a telephone installer and repairman for 36 years, first for the former NY Telephone and then NYNEX and Verizon. As nimble as a cat, Mr. Fifield was up to any challenge, scaling telephone poles all over Staten Island, braving all kinds of weather. He worked hours and hours of overtime to provide for his family. He retired in 1995.
As much as Mr. Fifield loved his work, nothing gave him greater pleasure than being surrounded by family.
The dedicated Dad cherished time spent with his two daughters, Teresa Ann Fifield Marino and Laura Balsamini, and his adored son, Brian, who passed in 1987. The proud Pop Pop doted on his two grandkids, Brian and Matthew Marino. Mr. Fifield also had a special relationship with son-in-law, David Balsamini, whom he considered a second son.
Mr. Fifield met the love of his life, Ann Teresa Rogan, while she was riding her bicycle when they were just two Park Slope kids. A childhood friendship blossomed into a love affair for the ages, Mr. Fifield's daughter, Laura Balsamini, fondly recalled.
Willy and Ann enjoyed camping and going on cruises, especially to Bermuda, where they spent their honeymoon.
The Fifields were married for 44 years, until Ann's passing in 2007.
He was never the same after my mother died, Laura said.
A gentle soul with a kind heart and infamous inviting bear hug, Mr. Fifield was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. He loved playing pool and solving any crossword puzzle he could get his hands on, Laura noted.
Mr. Fifield, who had hands of gold, was a self-taught carpenter who seemingly was always in the middle of some home improvement project or renovation.
His patience and persistence were among his greatest virtues. He always said, 'Where there's a will there's a way','daughter, Teresa said.
Mr. Fifield was a huge New York Giants fan who reveled in their four Super Bowl titles. His favorite player was Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. Mr. Fifield got to see his Giants at MetLife Stadium in October and, despite his illness, made sure to watch the team's recent play-off game against the Green Bay Packers from his hospital bed.
Mr. Fifield enjoyed listening to the oldies on WCBS-FM. Nothing put him in a good mood like a melifluous tune by the Drifters, Johnny Mathis or Elvis Presley.
Mr. Fifield was a proud patriot who served in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1962. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
The funeral will be Friday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, with a service at 10 a.m. in Bethel Methodist Church, both Tottenville. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
Friends may visit on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to New York Community Trust with 'Brian Keith Fifield Memorial Scholarship Fund' in the memo, NY Community Trust, 909 3rd Avenue, New York, N.Y., 10022.

Services: Bethel UM Church Friday, January 20, 2017 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Wednesday, January 18, 2017 7-9PM & Thursday, January 19, 2017 2-4 & 7-9PM

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to New York Community Trust with 'Brian Keith Fifield Memorial Scholarship Fund' in the memo, NY Community Trust, 909 3rd Avenue, New York, N.Y., 10022.

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Bethel United Methodist Church