Albert S. Hedges of Calverton, formerly of Bridgehampton, died June 24, 2019, surrounded by his family, at the Peconic Bay Medical Center’s Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Riverhead. He was 84.
Born on December 31, 1934, in Southampton, Mr. Hedges was one of nine children of Allen and Miriam Hedges. He grew up in Bridgehampton and lived there most of his life.
On February 9, 1957, he married Dorothy Jones of Southampton, who predeceased him in September 2010.
They raised five children, Timothy Hedges of Southampton; Linda Newberry (Randy) of Altamonte Springs, Florida; Judy Kahl (Joseph) of Pleasantville; Dorothy Walker (James) of Southampton; and William Hedges (Eileen) of Summit, New Jersey.
Mr. Hedges was a member of the Bridgehampton Fire Department for more than 50 years, serving over the years as captain and commissioner.
During the 1950s and 1960s, he was a race car driver primarily at Riverhead Raceway, but he also raced in Islip and Freeport. He was an active member of the Bridgehampton Methodist Church. Up until recent years, he always had a large, plentiful vegetable and flower garden and would often share his crops with others. Throughout the years, he and his wife, Dot, enjoyed canning pickles and tomatoes from their crop, as well as making strawberry jam. He was known as a great storyteller and would often share stories from his youth and his racing days. He was a talented woodworker, and enjoyed cooking breakfast for his family on weekends.
In addition to his wife, Dorothy, and his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Florence Lanz and Ruth Guyer, and his brother Edwin. He is survived by his siblings, Eugene (Caroline) of Washington; David (Denise) of Texas; Thomas William (Barbara) of Arizona; Jack (Chris) of Arizona and Margaret of Riverhead. Mr. Hedges is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan, Ashlyn, Nicholas, Jason, Matthew, Daniel, Jack, William and Ethan; and great-grandchildren, Ava and Noah.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral service was held at the Bridgehampton Methodist Church; Mr. Hedges’s sister, Peggy, was the organist. Interment followed at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.
Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice or Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation—Palliative Care.