Alfred Nathan Domenech Sr.

Technical Sergeant Alfred Nathan Domenech Sr., USAF (Ret.), 95 of Desert Hot Springs, California, passed away 3 mos to the day shy of his 96th, after a long and courageous battle with illness. Born on August 12, 1930, in a taxicab outside Harlem Hospital in New York City, he was the son of the late Thomas Domenech Sr. and the late Santiaga Grego Riva. Raised in Manhattan, Alfred attended public schools before beginning his working life in the garment district with Bia‒Mil New Mode Dress Co. In August 1947, at just 17 years old, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. After completing basic training in December 1947, he graduated from the Weather Observer Course at Chanute AFB, Illinois, and was assigned to Kelly AFB, Texas. At the onset of the Berlin Airlift, Alfred was deployed to the Bavarian Alps and later served in the historic IG Farben building in Frankfurt, Germany–then the headquarters of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander of U.S. Forces in Europe. Upon returning stateside, he served as a Theodolite Operator in Independence, California, supporting special operations involving civilian gliders of the Southern California Glider Association. His career took him next to the East Coast, where he served as an Air National Guard Advisor with the New Jersey ANG at Newark Airport and McGuire AFB. After completing weather forecasting training at Chanute AFB, he was assigned to several bases in France, where he earned both his high school and college GEDs and volunteered as a Cub Master with the Cub Scouts of America. Returning again to Chanute AFB, he served as Liaison NCO for foreign student officers at the weather school. Later assigned to Puerto Rico, he served with distinction during the Dominican Republic crisis of 1965, earning the Air Force Commendation Medal. He continued his dedication to youth as Cub Master and Institutional Representative for Cub Scout Pack 309 at Ramey AFB. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1967, he received a second Air Force Commendation Medal with Bronze Leaf Cluster. After retiring from military service, Alfred and his family settled in Nashua, New Hampshire, where he attended Daniel Webster College and Rivier College. He worked for the U.S. Weather Bureau in Eureka, Northwest Territories, Canada, before returning home to join the Nashua Telegraph. Over 22 years, he served as mailroom foreman, district manager, and compositor, ultimately becoming Secretary‒Treasurer of Local 365 of the International Typographical Union. Following the passing of his first wife, Patricia Ann (Hopper) Domenech, in 1984, Alfred relocated to Desert Hot Springs in 1992, where he later married Saundra Sue Wilson. He worked in the Classified Department of The Desert Sun until his retirement in 2000. A devout Catholic, Alfred was a longtime parishioner of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Desert Hot Springs, where he and his wife served faithfully as Eucharistic Ministers to the homebound. His fraternal affiliations included the Knights of Columbus–Fourth Degree Sir Knight with Assembly 71 in Indio, former Grand Knight of Council 9497 in Desert Hot Springs, and earlier membership at St. Christopher’s Parish in Nashua. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society and The American Legion. Alfred was an active volunteer at the Palm Springs Air Museum, where he formed a cherished friendship with actor Joe Mantegna, bonding over shared military stories. He supported numerous charitable causes throughout his life. His greatest passion, however, was coaching baseball. Over more than 20 years, he coached in Little League and the Nashua North Babe Ruth Bambino League, leading teams to three league championships, two city championships and one State All-Star Championship along with, an memorable appearance at the 1986 Babe Ruth Bambino World Series in Commerce, Georgia. He continued coaching for many years after moving to Desert Hot Springs. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he treasured his time standing on the field at Fenway Park in 1986 and held dear his friendship with baseball legend Ted Williams. He was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and a proud lifelong supporter of the New York Giants.An avid animal lover–despite once being afraid of dogs–Alfred adored his many pets over the years, including Rexina, Rex, Duchess, Snoopy, Prince, Tato, and Pugsuly.He also served as a volunteer fire lookout for the U.S. Forest Service at Black Mountain near Idyllwild for seven years, and later volunteered for 13 years at Desert Regional Medical Center’s Hanson House and Comprehensive Cancer Center. Known for his remarkable memory and endless stories, Alfred never forgot a date, a detail, or a moment from his extraordinary 95 years. Alfred was predeceased by his first wife, USAF Airman 1C Patricia Ann Domenech; his second wife, Saundra Sue Sanders Domenech; his brothers Thomas Domenech Jr. and Victor J. Domenech; his daughter Karen Hildreth; and his sister Doris Howe. He is survived by his children: Alfred Jr. (Mella) of Katonah, NY; Kevin (Kim) of Nashua, NH; Kenneth of Desert Hot Springs, CA; Keith (Shelley) of Amherst, NH; and Elizabeth Yanko (Stephen) of The Villages, FL. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 7 great‒grandchildren, half‒sister Dorcas (Victor) Arocho of Highland, NY; six half‒brothers– Angel Riva (Naiomi) of Appleton WI, Robert of New Jersey, Andrew, Ronald, and Lawrence of New York, and Phillip of Georgia–along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated medical teams at Desert Regional Medical Center (Desert Care Network), including the Emergency Department staff, laboratory technicians, Sintra 2, 3, and 4 nursing teams, 3 East Wing nursing staff, Dr. Bryant Tran, Dr. Kazmous Ghassan, Dr. Surrender Vittourri, Dr. Salib, Dr. Alderman, Dr. Wallace Goldban, the staff of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, the most loving group at Aegis Physical Theapy and to Glen Oaks Home Health Care, and all who cared for Alfred throughout his remarkable life.

Funeral arrangements as follows : Davis Funeral Home, Nashua, N.H. is in charge of arrangements. Wake is June 3rd 2026 from 4-7 P.M. A Catholic Mass at St Christopher’s Catholic Church in Nashua, N.H. on June 4, 2026 at 10 a.m. Followed by Interment with military honors at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Hudson, N.H.

Flowers are welcome. Donations may also be made in Alfred’s memory to the Nashua Cal Ripken Baseball League or to Hanson House in Palm Springs, California.